NSA Trailing/Disaster/HRD 訓練会レポート_2026.08.09

NSA Trailing/Disaster/HRD Training

2026年8月9日（日） NSA Disaster／HRD・Trailing訓練会
気温26℃、湿度70％以上という厳しい環境でしたが、少しでも気温の低い時間帯に訓練を実施できるよう、AM5:00より市街地でTrailing訓練を開始しました。最低気温がわずかに落ち着く早朝の時間帯ということもあり、犬たちにとっても比較的活動しやすいコンディションの中で訓練を進めることができました。
Trailingでは、実際の市街地環境を活用し、犬の捜索能力だけではなく、犬が示す反応をハンドラーが正確に読み取り、状況に応じて進行方向を判断する能力やハンドリング技術の向上を目的としたトレーニングを実施しました。
その後、AM7:00からは会場をモナの丘へ移動し、Disaster／HRD訓練を実施しました。それぞれのUnitの習熟度や現在の課題に応じた設定を行い、犬の捜索能力とハンドラーの観察力・判断力の双方を高めながら、実働現場を想定した実践的なトレーニングを積み重ねました。
本日も新たに1名の方に見学へお越しいただき、NSAが取り組んでいる訓練内容をはじめ、捜索犬育成に対する考え方や災害救助犬の役割について、ご理解とご共感をいただく貴重な機会となりました。
NSAでは今後も継続的な訓練を通じて各Unitの能力向上を図るとともに、実働現場で求められる犬の捜索能力、ハンドラーの判断力、そして安全で確実なチーム運用の向上を目指して取り組んでまいります。また、捜索犬の活動や社会的な役割について、より多くの方々に知っていただけるよう活動を続けてまいります。
Sunday, August 9, 2026 – NSA Disaster / HRD & Trailing Training Exercise
Despite challenging conditions of 26°C (79°F) and humidity above 70%, the Trailing training began at 5:00 a.m. in an urban environment in order to take advantage of the cooler early-morning hours. As temperatures were relatively lower at that time of day, we were able to conduct the training under somewhat more manageable conditions for the dogs.
During the Trailing session, we utilized a real urban environment to develop not only the dogs’ search capabilities, but also the handlers’ ability to accurately recognize and interpret the dogs’ behavioral responses, determine the appropriate direction of travel based on the information provided by the dogs, and further improve their handling skills.
At 7:00 a.m., the training moved to Mona no Oka, where the Disaster Search and HRD (Human Remains Detection) sessions were conducted. Training scenarios were tailored to the proficiency level and current objectives of each unit, with emphasis on developing both the dogs’ search capabilities and the handlers’ observation and decision-making skills. Through these exercises, each team continued to build practical experience under conditions designed to simulate operational search environments.
We were also pleased to welcome a new visitor who came to observe the training. This provided another valuable opportunity to share NSA’s training methods and philosophy regarding the development of search dog teams, as well as to promote greater understanding of the role of disaster search dogs.
NSA will continue to conduct regular and progressive training to enhance the capabilities of each unit, with the goal of further developing the dogs’ operational search performance, the handlers’ sound decision-making skills, and the safe and reliable deployment of search teams under real-world operational conditions.
At the same time, we will continue our efforts to raise public awareness and understanding of the work of search dogs and the important role they can play in society.

Trailing

Trailingでは、引き続き「犬が示すネガティブ反応をハンドラーが正確に読み取る技術」の向上をテーマに訓練を実施しました。トレールコースから臭跡がどのように移動し、犬がその臭跡に対してどのような反応を示すのか、また地質や地形などの影響を受けた臭跡を犬がどのように捉えるのかを、それぞれのUnitの動きを通して再確認しました。
During the Trailing session, we continued to focus on improving the handlers’ ability to accurately recognize and interpret the dogs’ negative responses.
Through the performance of each unit, we reviewed how the scent trail may shift or disperse away from the original trail route, how the dogs respond to these changes in scent availability and location, and how they work scent trails that have been influenced by factors such as ground surface, terrain, and surrounding environmental conditions.

捜索中に犬が示すネガティブ反応は、「臭跡が存在しない」「臭跡を見失った」「進行方向が異なる」といった重要な情報をハンドラーへ伝えるサインです。その反応を正確に読み取り、適切な判断とハンドリングにつなげることは、Trailingにおいて非常に重要な技術となります。
The negative responses displayed by a dog during a search provide the handler with critical information, such as indicating that the scent trail is not present, the dog has lost the trail, or the current direction of travel is incorrect. Accurately recognizing and interpreting these responses, and translating that information into appropriate decision-making and handling, is an essential skill in Trailing.

一方で、環境刺激に対する反応と臭跡に対する反応の区分が、まだ不明確なケースも見られました。犬が捜索作業に入るスイッチを安定させることも含め、今後も犬が示す反応を正確に読み取り、適切な判断とハンドリングにつなげられるよう、継続してトレーニングを進めていきます。
On the other hand, there were also cases in which the distinction between the dogs’ responses to environmental distractions and their responses to the scent trail was not yet sufficiently clear. Establishing a consistent transition into search mode also remains an important training objective.
We will continue to focus on developing the handlers’ ability to accurately recognize and interpret the dogs’ responses and translate that information into appropriate decision-making and handling, while helping each dog develop a more consistent and reliable search behavior.

Disaster

Disaster部門では、モナの丘のフィールドを使用し、認定犬および初歩犬それぞれの習熟度や課題に応じた基礎トレーニングを実施しました。現状の作業レベルを確認しながら、それぞれのUnitに必要な強化ポイントを整理し、捜索に対する意欲や自発性を高めることを目的とした設定でトレーニングを進めました。
In the Disaster Search training, exercises were conducted at the Mona no Oka training field, with foundational training tailored to the proficiency levels and individual training objectives of both certified and novice dogs.
While assessing the current working level of each unit, individual training priorities were identified, and exercises were designed to further develop the dogs’ motivation, confidence, and independence in the search task.

認定犬については、捜索エリアをどのように絞り込んでいくかを課題とし、セントコーンを捉えた際に犬が示す反応をハンドラーが正確に読み取り、捜索につなげるためのハンドリングを強化ポイントとして取り組みました。初歩犬については、風の流れとセントコーンの形成を確認しながら、チェックマークを活用した基礎トレーニングを実施しました。犬が自発的にセントコーンを捉え、臭気を追い込んでいく動きへの理解を深めながら、段階的なステップアップを図りました。
For the certified dog, the primary training objective was to improve the team’s ability to progressively narrow down the search area. Particular emphasis was placed on the handler’s ability to accurately recognize and interpret the dog’s behavioral changes when encountering the scent cone, and to use that information to guide appropriate handling and further develop the search.For the novice dog, foundational exercises were conducted using check-mark patterns, while carefully assessing wind direction and the formation of the scent cone. The training focused on helping the dog develop a better understanding of how to independently acquire the scent cone and confidently work the odor toward its source, allowing for gradual and systematic progression in its search skills.

HRD

HRDでは、事前にエリア内へソースを設定し、TFR（Trained Final Response）の強化を目的としたトレーニングを実施しました。
In the HRD (Human Remains Detection) training, training aids were placed within the search area in advance, and exercises were conducted with a primary focus on strengthening and improving the reliability of the dogs’ Trained Final Response (TFR).

現時点では、ソースに対する反応は確認できているものの、そこからTFRへの移行がスムーズにできていない場面も見られます。そのため、ソースへの反応からTFRまでの一連の動きを整理し、犬が迷うことなく自信を持ってTFRを実行できるように反復トレーニングを行いました。今後も、ソースに対する反応とTFRを確実に結びつけながら、最終告知としての精度と安定性を高めていきます。
At this stage, the dogs are showing clear responses to the target odor source; however, there were still instances where the transition from recognizing the source to performing the Trained Final Response (TFR) was not yet smooth or consistent.
Therefore, the training focused on reinforcing the complete behavioral sequence from the initial response to the odor source through to the TFR. Repetitive exercises were conducted to help the dogs perform the TFR confidently and without hesitation.
Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen the association between the dogs’ response to the target odor source and the TFR, with the goal of improving the accuracy, reliability, and consistency of the final indication.

NSAの活動は、民間ボランティアによる行方不明者の捜索活動です。
多くの方々からご支援いただくことで、より速く、より多くの行方不明者捜索にサーチドッグを派遣することができます。皆様のご支援をお願いいたします。
NSA’s activities are carried out by civilian volunteers.
With the support of many individuals, we can deploy search dogs more quickly and to a greater number of missing person cases.
We sincerely ask for your continued support.