RDTA International Rescue Dog Night Trial 2026 in Fujimi

From Friday, July 17, 2026, for three consecutive days, the RDTA Yatsugatake International Rescue Dog Training Center will host a night trial designed to assess rescue dogs' performance in nighttime search scenarios. These summer trials are held annually during cooler evening hours, reflecting the real-world necessity for night search capabilities in disaster response operations.

Participants from across Japan will join this year’s event, with 23 dog-handler pairs competing in various certification levels: V Stage (Beginner), A Stage (Intermediate), and B Stage (Advanced).

2025 Night Trial

<Event Details>

{Date} … July 17 (Fri), 18 (Sat), and 19 (Sun), 2026

{Venue} … RDTA Yatsugatake International Rescue Dog Training Center: 6729 Ochiai, Fujimi-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture

{Organizer} … Rescue Dog Trainers’ Association (RDTA), a certified nonprofit organization

{Support} … The Nippon Foundation and others

{Examiner} … Kaori Oshima (Internationally Certified Evaluator, Japan)

*Examiners and details are subject to change

{Trial Content} … Based on the International Rescue Dog Regulations (IPO-R), with final judgment at the examiner’s discretion

Developing search strategies based on nighttime search scenarios

Conducting realistic search operations that differ from daylight conditions, emphasizing the coordination between rescue dogs and their handlers. This year, the trial also aligns with the planned domestic MRT (Mission Readiness Test), aiming to enhance essential night search techniques critical for operational deployment.