Greetings,
I have been in emergency services for about 25 years, and recently we adopted a Redbone (or possibly a Redtick) Coonhound.  He is currently 4 months old.  I have noticed that he naturally likes to follow scents.  I was wondering a few things, and thought that this group may be a good place to ask:

1) Are there some simple tests I can do at home to see if my dog has the aptitude to become a tracking or trailing (or possibly another discipline) dog, before I invest a lot of time and training?

2) Do I contact my local USAR Task Force for training, or is there somewhere else I need to go first?

3) What is involved in the training (time committment-wise)?

My goal, if it is even possible, is to train my dog for tracking and/or trailing for searches, and possibly other disciplines if he is good at it.  Eventually, I would like to either make it onto a USAR Task Force, or a local Sheriff Department as a reserve officer available for Search and Rescue.

Does any of this sound feasible, or is it pretty much a pipe dream?  Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Capt. Craig Prusansky, EMT-P
Palm Beach County (FL) Fire-Rescue