Mobile Odor Detection Dog Certification
This DLE Mobile Odor Detection Dog Certification is a two (2) part certification designed to determine the proficiency and reliability of the dog team in the detection of explosives. The first part of the certification is the Odor Recognition Test. This test is designed to evaluate the canines’ ability to recognize the target odor and respond to the target odor and must be passed prior to moving onto the second part of the certification; the Practical Test. The Practical test will test the handler’s ability to recognize the canine’s response or non-responses in the search areas.
The purpose of this Test is the screening of people in an operational environment for the detection of hand carried and / or body worn explosives, otherwise referred to as “Mobile Odor Detection Dog”, M.O.D.D. This testing is to only test the proficiency of this specific type of canine utilization. Canines specifically trained in M.O.D.D. detection should only attempt this certification. The M.O.D.D. Test will be conducted in conjunction with an Odor Recognition test prior to the practical application.
1. Certification must be completed in full within 48 hours from the start of testing or it will be considered a canine team failure. If certification is being conducted during a seminar, it must be completed in full by the final day of the seminar or certification will be considered a canine team failure.
2. The Mobile Odor Detection Dog Test odors will be from the mandatory six (6) required odors as outlined in the certification standards.
An explosive odor is, for example:
• Powders- Black powder, smokeless, and / or pyrodex
• Commercial Dynamite (NG or EGDN)
• RDX (C4, A5, Semtex)
• TNT (Flake, Military block)
• PETN (Det Cord, Primer Cord, Sheet Explosive)
• Ammonium Nitrate (Water Gel, Slurry, Emulsion, Prill).
3. Explosives certified will be listed by their names on the certifying form.
4. Due to the increase of training aids which are not actual contraband, DLE will allow certification on ScentLogix™.
5. Distractor odors will be present in all testing areas.
6. A distractor odor is an odor which is not an explosive odor, for example: coffee, food, laundry detergent, or any other odor a Master Trainer / Certifying Official chooses to use.
7. The amount of explosive odor used for testing will not be less than one pound.
8. All searches will include an Odor Recognition certification and a practical test.
9. A minimum of two (2) areas to be searched for the practical certification, these areas are choke points and static points.
10. All odors attempting to be certified on will or will not be hidden in practical certification areas.
11. A “team miss” is defined as any incorrect response by the canine team.
12. If the testing canine team fails then the canine team must re certify in all phases and in all odors, they are seeking certification for.
13. If the dog changes handlers, a new team exists, and the new team will need to be certified.
14. If the dog changes handlers, the DLE certification is null and void.
15. The Handler is responsible for knowing and understanding the requirements for certification.
16. If the M.O.D.D. Test is completed in conjunction with another Explosive Detection Test the aids used can be a separate set apart from the six mandatory odors.
17. The K9 Team(s) being tested in the M.O.D.D. may also elect to provide a specific
explosive odor in addition to the above mandatory odors depending on their specific mission statement.
18. This specific odor must be noted in the comments section by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
The Odor Recognition certification is conducted to determine the canines’ ability to distinguish between explosives odor and distractor odors.
1. This test area can either be an open area or buildings.
2. The test will include, but not be limited to, at least one (1) explosive odor from each of the six (6) primary odors.
3. The test areas will have a minimum of one (1) distractor odor to one (1) explosive odor.
4. The distractor odors and explosive odors will be a minimum of three (3) to five (5) feet apart.
5. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official can either set up blocks, bags, backpacks, cans, drawers, or boxes to conduct the Odor Recognition test.
Practical Testing will be conducted in at least two (2) areas. This certification is to determine the handlers’ decision-making ability in reading his canine partner.
1. There may or may not be an explosive odor placed in the mandatory search areas.
2. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official will decide which mandatory area will have an explosive odor.
3. The mandatory search areas are as follows:
a. Choke Points
b. Static Points
4. Choke Points: Master Trainer / Certifying Official will determine the location and size of the test area for deployment of Mobile Odor Detection Dog “Decoys” to test on for the certification.
5. Static Points: The size and location of the test area shall be determined by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official for M.O.D.D.TM certification.
6. The site location shall be approved by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official prior to the start of testing.
7. The time limit for the certification will be determined by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
8. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official may also include the use of a cell phone’s two-way radios, text message or other means of having communication with the decoy(s), prior to, during, and upon conclusion of the test.
9. Every effort will be made to ensure that the location for deployment of Mobile Odor Detection Dog Canine teams is safe operational environment.
10. The Team must find all explosive placements.
11. Prior to the actual test the Master Trainer / Certifying Official will determine the canine’s final response.
12. It is at the discretion of the Master Trainer / Certifying Official as to how long the team is to continue to search while actively seeking odor, there is no minimum working time frame for this test.
13. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official shall use reasonable judgment in considering time limit including environmental factors.
14. For the test, any Human involved in carrying an explosive target odor will be referred to as the “DECOY.”
15. One or more Decoys may be utilized during the test.
16. It will be the responsibility of the handler to determine how to best deploy the team to be effective.
17. The handler working with the dog on, or off lead must correctly identify the Decoy to the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
18. Once the handler has determined the decoy, the handler will indicate this to the Master Trainer / Certifying Official by raising an arm and pointing directly at the decoy and telling them to stop. This will be the affirmation by the handler in which the handler believes they have identified the decoy and or item being the source of the explosive odor.
19. Upon confirmation by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official that the correct decoy has been identified, the handler may then allow the dog to go to a final response (sit) and reward the canine.
20. If the Handler does not read their dog correctly and does not identify the correct decoy, then this will be considered a Miss / Fail for that portion of the test.
21. If the K9 team misidentifies by indicating on a decoy without an explosive odor, then this will be considered a False Response.
22. The decoy(s) will not be known to the handler (s) being tested.
23. The decoy(s) clothing will be such as not to queue or be obvious to the testing team and be of likewise attire of other people within the testing area.
24. The decoy will remain in contact with the item.
25. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official will give the decoy(s) explicit instructions on when and where to introduce him or herself as to direction, turns, pace and proximity in feet to the canine team being tested.
26. It will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer / Certifying Official as to the number of Decoys used and the number of passes in proximity to the team being tested.
27. For the Test, explosive Training Aids may be carried in anyway of the following four (4) methods:
1.) In bags
2.) Hand carried attaché’ cases
3.) On the Decoy’s body
4.) In rolling bags
28. Both areas must be successfully completed to pass the Mobile Odor Detection Dog Test and be considered certified.