Hello

[roland and meg]

and i am sure the cross training will be no problem.

I was about to clarify Rays post and his not so subtle dig at "Cross Dressing" which I should point out has no bearing on ones suitability for Search and Rescue Work. Provided the mix is right and you don't try to over accessorize.

Then I noticed wording from your own post

and the differences in my clothing

Welcome to the forums
Don't mess with the Collie owners, or we'll come and find you.

[StuartL]

Don't mess with the Collie owners, or we'll come and find you.

Although you may have to wait for them to stop herding children first.

[spudlet]

Obviously I shall be matching my handbag, boots and other accessories to the activity in hand at all times...

[Andy W.]

I'm in Norfolk. We'll have to see how Henry makes out, he is also a trainee gundog (I like to keep him busy ) but I (and my trainer) reckon he's clever enough to distinguish between the two jobs so long as there are clear signals for him - for ex, through using a harness or similar for search and rescue work, and a slip lead and no collar for gundog work, and the differences in my clothing, commands etc.

My own experience with my own dog confirms what you think re collars and harness, the working environment is a bit of a clue as well as most gundog work happens in daylight, most SAR in the dark, so SAR work may also suit that urge to dress up - as not so may will see you!

Welcome to Search and Rescue Dogs and brace yourself for the questions from the rest of the world about how and why we rescue lost dogs.....

[Andy W.]

Don't mess with the Collie owners, or we'll come and find you.

Although you may have to wait for them to stop herding children first.

Many a true word spoken in jest.

[spudlet]

Hopefully there will be fewer shots going off during SAR work as well...! I'd like to think so anyway

So do you also have a dual purpose dog? Would be nice to know there's one out there already!

[mark_n]

Welcome to the world of SAR,

It is important to make sure that you try and keep commands and working enviroments separate or you may see your dog alerting on a bird
(which I have seen) and of course we wouldn't want to see the gundog persona take over and try and retrieve the Misper