Survival, Loyalty Keep Dogs Alive After Tsunami

Normally when you hear stories about dogs at disaster scenes, the dogs are specially trained for search and rescue. These dogs have been obedience trained, using techniques such as clicker training, and then trained in search skills to find survivors under the rubble. But three weeks after the tsunami struck Japan, three amazing dogs became the survivors, reminding us just how strong man’s best friend can be in the face of tragedy.

Ban, a two-year old mixed breed dog, was reunited with her owner after floating for three weeks in the Pacific Ocean a mile off shore on the roof of a house that was swept out to sea in the tsunami. A Japanese Coast Guard helicopter flying over the debris discovered the dog and rescued her. The dog’s owner saw a video of the rescue on Japanese TV and hurried to claim her pet at the animal shelter. “I want to cherish her when I take her back,” said the owner, as Ban wagged her tail and licked her owner’s face.



Another story warmed the hearts of beleaguered Japanese rescuers. An exhausted and muddied dog remained loyal to his canine friend, injured in the tsunami, and stayed by his side until rescuers arrived. The brown and white spaniel-cross dog led a cameraman to the place where the injured dog was lying in the debris. Both were taken to shelters to be treated. How the dogs survived without fresh water and food for such an extended time is unknown, but all three are expected to heal and live full lives.



Several disaster search dog teams were deployed to Japan. Disaster search dog trainers start with basic obedience training, such as clicker training. With clicker training, dogs learn to generalize the training (PDF) and respond correctly even in unfamiliar areas, such as the tsunami-devastated areas of Japan.