FIRST LEVEL COURSE – It is used for socialising with the puppies as well as finding out which dogs have a suitable character for the work. If they do not reach the required standard the dog’s behaviour will have improved. The dog handlers are taught how to manage and solve the inevitable daily problems. The school instructors pay great care to teach the owner how to work  the dog calmly and with knowledge once back at home. The course is maintained all the year round, even in the cold months, in order to reach the aim of having the dogs fully obedient when water courses start. The best time  to start training is when the dogs are  four months old , however older dogs can be admitted, even those a little older, most bad habits can be improved or eliminated.

ADVANCED COURSE – This is for those who are prepared to put more time on the ground work. The training techniques learned at the first level are improved and the dog behaves better with the other dogs attending the same class. The leash is unnecessary as  “self control” techniques are used.

DYNAMIC COURSE – To learn how to control the dog on ground work in safe conditions. The self control techniques learnt at the advanced course help improve the team spirit between handler and dog.

WATER WORK COURSE

FIRST LEVEL – This course teaches how to have a calm and safe dog at the side of the handler in the water, avoiding being scratched by it whilst swimming. The dog will learn to work with or without the handler beside him. The puppies gain confidence in the new element slowly, they are never forced or frightened at this point of the training. In this phase the school motto is  “we are playing”. The puppies must: learn to fully trust their two legged friend in these new conditions, gain confidence in the water and get acquainted with the equipment  that they will use later on for service. Again it is fundamental not to rush the training;  thoroughness is the order of the day, short cuts can never be taken. This is absolutely necessary for timid or difficult dogs. Once the first phases are over, you have an incredible feeling of team spirit when swimming at the side of your dog, in complete harmony, conscious of its power and safety.

ADVANCED COURSE – This is for those who are willing to work seriously in water rescue to save human life. Special swimming techniques with the dog are taught. These techniques have been developed and modified over time by the school instructors. To economise energy, the dolphin technique allows the handler to save his strength when swimming and reach the person in difficulty still fresh. The course links the dog to the handler more and more, taking them gradually to an interdependent relationship, with the handler having complete trust in the dog and the dog in the handler. At first it is play for the dog but gradually changes to an awareness of what it can do, opening the door for more and more lifesaving possibilities in water.

WORKING COURSE

In this course there is no time for play on the part of the dog. Swimming techniques and transport of the injured people will be improved. Medical instructions and  first aid will be given. Both handler and dog will be stretched to their physical limits. Techniques for diving from wharf, pier, survey boat etc. will be taught. Dogs and handlers will be gradually introduced to Port Authorities, Police, Finance, and SAR. At this time you will discover that, having a dog as a friend, is worthwhile in all situations. If you want to know more, come to one of our demonstrations of Civil Protection.

INSTRUCTORS COURSES

Having completed the above courses it is possible to go to the headquarters of the school where there are yearly courses of theory and practice for the training to become an instructor. This consists of dog psychology, medicine, veterinary, civil protection etc. On passing the examination, at the end of the courses, a diploma will be given. At first you become an Assistant Instructor, then, after six months of practice at the school and the preparation of a thesis, it will be possible to become an Instructor. The school and  instructors are at your disposal to prepare you for international sports certificates, accepted in Switzerland, France and Italy.

FROM OBEDIENCE ON THE GROUND TO THE ADVANCED COURSES

A course for each kind of dog and each type of owner. This is what is required to become a perfect team.

We can easily understand, from the words of Ferruccio Pilenga that the dog training school for water rescue is an institution opened to everyone. It might look strange that a school where such a complex function as water rescue is taught, is accepting untrained dogs and owners. This is explained if we look at the long list of courses that are run every year.

It is possible to work on dogs that may never work in water rescue. We have three courses of obedience on the ground. From first level, where we face the first approach between man and animal, to the dynamic course during which the dog acquires the self-control, that gives the possibility of operating independently, without a leash, among the crowd. The best age to start learning this phase of work is of course as a puppy of approximately four months old; in any case older dogs can participate as it is always possible, even with some difficulty, to correct  bad behaviours.

Whether they are puppies or adult dogs, the animals which pass this first stage can be advanced to water work. The first level course starts as play teaching the dog that water is an element that it enjoys. Once it gets familiar with the water, the dog will learn to swim beside its handler without scratching him. This is an indispensable step to approach the advanced course, after which you and your animal will acquire the qualification certificate.

Now, you are qualified to be available for rescue on beaches. After this there are still possibilities of attending a large range of working courses. These are designed to further improve your techniques for jumping from helicopters, diving from survey boats and anything necessary once you are in service on any of the Coast Guard facilities.