Glossary of terms used on this site
Term | Definition |
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Agility |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Agility : A character trait which describes the natural (running) speed, surefootedness, and coordination, and the ability of the dog to correct and recover |
Air Scent |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Air Scent (Dog): A dog that searches for the source of human odor. They are typically "Nose Up" when they work, and are usually non-scent-discriminating.
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Back-Chaining |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Back-Chaining : A teaching methodology, where the training of the chained behaviors occurs in reverse order. The final behavior is taught first, and the second-to-last behavior is added and taught next, and so forth. For example: the very first behavior a back-chained "live find" dog is taught: is to play with new humans (the reward). For a Stay-and-Bark, the second behavior would be to "bark at a stranger" and then play. |
Behavior Chain |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Behavior Chain : a series of learned behaviors, carried out, after one command. |
Blank Search |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Blank Search : A training or certification exercise in which the target odor is not present |
Blind |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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Change of Behavior |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Change of Behavior (COB): A characteristic pattern of behaviors, as interpreted by the handler, that occurs when the dog detects a trained odor. |
Chimney |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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Diffusion |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Diffusion (of scent): the even distribution of air in all directions. |
Double Blind |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Double Blind : A training exercise is considered Double Blind if the person person searching does not know the location of odor(s), and/or if any are prescent, AND the accompanying Instructor/Evaluator also does not know. |
Eddying |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Eddying : When flowing air moves along/over a large linear obstacle, like a treeline, and the air curls around the edges and swirls.
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Fanning Plumes |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Fanning Plumes : When air hodls at the same elevation, without rising or falling. Occurs at night, and in valleys. Visualize the air like a thermocline. |
Fumigating |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Fumigating : When scent from the source disperses evenly, and saturates the area. For example: a closed room.
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Laminar Air Flow |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Laminar Air Flow : a straight flow of air without and interference. |
LKP |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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Looping Scent |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Looping Scent : when scent travels upwards from a source, and settles down away from the source. Occurs with little to no wind at the source. |
PLS |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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POA |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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POD |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
POD (Probability of Detection): The chance that an object or missing person will be detected if present.
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Rafts |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Rafts (skin rafts): dead or dying skins cells that have left a human body. They are composed of 1 or more cells, carry bacteria, and are microscopic. An average human sheds around 40,000 cells each minute. |
Scent Cones |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Scent Cones : movement of scent away from subject/source -in the shape of a cone. |
Shaping |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Shaping : Building new behavior by selectively reinforcing variations in existing behavior, during the action rather than after completion, to increase or strengthen the behavior in a specific manner or direction. |
Stimulus |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Stimulus : A change in the environment. Dog Training focuses on discriminative stimuli, which causes a change of state in the dog, causing it to perform a specific behavior.
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Target Odor |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Target Odor : (aka Source) odors which detector dog are trained to detect. |
Temperament |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Temperament : The general consistence with which the animal behaves. |
Thermal |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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Tracking |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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Trailing |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
Trailing (Dog): dogs are scent specific and require a scent article, with a track. Visualize the dog's Nose Down and Up, working some distance from the actual footsteps. |
Turbulent Air Flow |
Glossaries: K9 SAR Glossary
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VSRDA Glossary
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POD
POD (Probability of Detection): The chance that an object or missing person will be detected if present. -
POA
POA (Probability of Area): The chance that a missing person (or clue) is in the search Area. -
PLS
PLS (Point Last Seen): a point where a witness actually saw the subject. The PLS is usually the IPP (Initial Planning Point).