The excited faces of avalanche rescue dogs

It’s no secret that dogs have an incredible capacity to make a difference in our lives. From being our loyal sidekicks to rocking specialized roles as working dogs, they never cease to amaze us. One of the many talented groups of working dogs is a pack of canines that are specially trained to navigate mountain terrain and save lives – avalanche rescue dogs.

Avalanche dogs are specially trained to locate and rescue individuals buried under snow in avalanche situations. They play a crucial role in saving lives in mountain environments. Although their work can save lives, it’s all a game of hide-and-seek to the dogs. It starts when they’re puppies, the owner drags the toy along the floor for the pup to chase and catch. Then, when they get it, they enjoy a rousing game of tug-of-war.

It’s all to tap into the dog’s hunt and prey drives. From there, the owner takes the games outside, hiding behind bushes and eventually in snow caves.

Once they move on to snow, holes are dug in the snow and leave the door of that snow cave open. Then the next time the owners will put a block of snow in that doorway. Then the next time they’ll put two blocks of snow in that doorway. And eventually they’ll build it so that the whole entryway is a wall of snow blocks and if the dogs paw it, it falls down.

Then progressively, the owners make it harder and harder for the dog to get through that wall. And then the dogs just realize, if I dig a little bit, they get to find the person trapped, then they get to play the game. And the game is everything to these dogs. The dog’s drive for finding someone under the snow and playing with them once they find them is above anything else.