Police Service Dog Certification
1. To obtain a “Police Service Dog" certification, the police canine team must pass all phases.
2. Certification must be completed in full within 24 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.
3. Failure to perform and/or pass all phases will result in canine team not being recognized as certified by DLEcertification.
4. All rulings by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official are final.
5. The testing will be conducted in no set order during a one-day test.
6. The exceptions to the one-day test rule are when testing is conducted during a DLE national; state workshop or canine teams limited times due to commitment to work.
7. A break between tests is acceptable.
8. The test requirements will be explained prior to starting the certification.
9. The team must pass each phase on the first attempt and will be tested at random in the following areas:
a. Obedience / Temperament Test
b. Article Search
c. Tracking
d. Building Search
e. Apprehension / Control Test
Master Trainer will determine if the Obedience Test is appropriate for certain types of dog breeds. The obedience phase of this certification will consist of the following exercises:
1. The length of this certification will be determined by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official, with a minimum of 5 minutes, consisting of multiple commands to determine if the Police Service Dog can perform off- lead obedience exercises.
2. The time limit is determined by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
3. The certification is designed to certify the dog’s ability and proficiency and the handler’s total control over his/her dog.
4. The canine team shall be allowed to use all equipment they would normally wear while on duty.
5. During these tests, there will be gunfire used and at no time will the canine break and charge towards gunfire.
6. If the canine breaks towards the gunfire, the test will be terminated.
7. The police canine team will be tested on the following:
a. Obedience
8. Unacceptable behavior would be, but not limited to, one (1) of the following:
a. Lunging
b. Uncontrollable barking
c. Over-aggressiveness
The following phase will not have any order. The order of this phase will be determined by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
1. The handler and dog will begin with dog at his/her side in a heel position and walk forward together at a normal pace either on leash or off leash.
2. Walking with canine at heel position, unless otherwise directed by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
3. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official will command the handler to complete a minimum of, but not limited to:
a. Two (2) right turns.
b. Two (2) left turns.
c. Two (2) about turns.
d. Fast pace
e. Slow pace
f. Sit and/or down dog while in motion.
g. Call dog to a heel while in motion
h. Temperament Test
i. Put the leash on the dog and perform some of the obedience test or remove the leash to perform some of the obedience test.
1. Temperament test may be included with the above.
2. Handler will walk with canine at a heel within 8-10 feet of the Master Trainer or the Master Trainer will approach the canine team at a normal pace from the front, stopping 8-10 feet from the canine team.
3. The canine team will then walk at an angle away from the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
4. At no time will the Master Trainer / Certifying Official attempt to touch the handler or the canine.
The Article search phase of this certification will consist of the following:
1. Four (4) articles of different composition: metal, wood, paper, leather, and plastic will be
thrown at random into the search area.
2. Exceptions to the four (4) article rule can be made for:
a. Firearm Canines only. Firearm Canines will search for empty firearms only and one
(1) miss would be considered a failure.
b. Departments only allow their canines to search for Firearms, no other articles.
3. The area size, place, and the time allowed for the search will be at the discretion of the
Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
4. To successfully test for certification, the canine team cannot miss more than one (1) article.
5. One (1) article will be of metal composition.
6. The articles to be used will be selected from, but not limited to, the following list:
a. Plastic
b. Metal
c. Paper
d. Empty handguns made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both.
e. Leather
7. Articles are to be selected by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official according to
availability and or department policy.
1. Master Trainer / Certifying Official will observe the certification from outside the search area.
2. The area to be searched will be determined by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
The Article search phase of this certification will consist of the following:
1. Four (4) articles of different composition (metal, wood, paper, etc.) will be thrown at random into the search area.
2. Exceptions to the four (4) article rule can be made for:
a. Firearm Canines only. Firearm Canines will search for empty firearms only and one (1) miss would be considered a failure.
b. Departments who only allow their canines to search for Firearms, no articles.
3. To successfully test for certification, the canine team cannot miss more than one (1) article.
4. The team to be tested will not view this being done.
5. One (1) article will be of metal composition.
6. The articles to be used will be selected from, but not limited to, the following list:
a. Plastic
b. Wood or plastic handle screwdriver (4"-6")
c. Paper match book
d. Shotgun Shell
e. Empty metal handgun
f. Leather Wallet
7. Articles are to be selected by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official according to availability and or department policy.
The size of the area the search takes place in, and the time allowed for the search will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer.
1. The decoy will be unknown to the dog when possible.
2. If possible, the certification should be set up in the area or location like a working environment.
3. The testing area will be out of view of the handler.
4. The decoy should choose a direction with a path a fleeing suspect would choose to avoid being followed.
5. The decoy will receive instructions from the Master Trainer / Certifying Official for the method and direction for the search.
6. Before the search, the Master Trainer / Certifying Official will decide if the canine team will have a decoy or a scent article from the decoy at the end of the track.
7. Decoy will be hidden in a safe manor, in a place of concealment, as to which the canine can or cannot make contact.
8. During certification, no toys will be used as a find or final find for the canine team.
1. The handler and dog will be secluded from view of the decoy, while decoy is setting up the search problem.
2. When the certification begins the Master Trainer / Certifying Official will inform the handler of the approximate area to begin.
3. The handler may or may not be told in which direction the decoy fled but will be told the area to search.
4. There may be one (1) fresh cross track laid at least fifteen (15) minutes after the original track is laid.
5. The cross track will be laid by a second person to test the dogs’ scent discrimination.
6. It is recommended the search should be laid in the type of environment the canine team works in, if possible.
7. The length of the search shall be determined by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official and have at least two types of surfaces which are covered:
a. Dirt
b. Grass
c. Concrete
d. Asphalt
e. Woods
7. The age of the search will be at the Master Trainer / Certifying Official discretion prior to beginning the test.
This test is designed to determine if the Police Service Dog is capable of a building search for an unknown subject in an unfamiliar area and is intended to be closely simulative of working situations. This test is to determine the handlers’ ability to read his canine partner. Three (3) basic types of buildings are selected and described for use on this test.
The building search test of this certification will consist of the following:
1. Residential dwellings
2. Warehouse, armory, barn, open areas within the building
3. School, hotel, office building, multi-room interior
1. Will or will not be hidden prior to the certification start.
2. The decoy will be hidden in a safe manor, in a place of concealment, as to which the canine can or cannot make contact.
3. Decoy will not wear protective sleeves for non-contact.
4. Decoy will wear a protective hidden sleeve for contact.
5. Whenever possible, the decoy will be a person unknown to the dog, and not normally used in training with the dog.
6. Should be brought into the building by way of a different route than that to be used by the dog and handler.
7. The handler must demonstrate sound tactics during all phases of the test.
The aggression control test of this certification will consist of the following:
1. This certification is to determine if the police work dog can perform exercises encountered by the canine team, under simulated situations, encountered while working.
2. The certification is designed to certify the dog’s ability, proficiency, courage, and the handler’s total control of his/her dog.
3. There are two (2) phases of this test.
4. The canine team will be tested in all phases listed and will be on a pass/fail basis and must be passed before proceeding to the next phase.
5. All rulings by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official are final.
6. The canine team shall be allowed to use all equipment they would normally wear while on duty.
7. There are options for equipment utilized during the test.
8. Prior to the certification the Master Trainer / Certifying Official must approve of the option utilized and inspect and approve all equipment used by decoy and canine team.
9. Hidden, concealed protective gear will be worn by the suspect.
10. This equipment is to be completely concealed by clothing to provide no visual cue to the dog as to its existence or location or a visible colored (other than jute color) full protective aggression suit may be used.
11. In the event of any safety issue raised by the suspect, handler or Master Trainer / Certifying Official, the Master Trainer / Certifying Official has the discretion to mandate the use of a protective aggression suit described above.
12. The type of lead used by the handler will be at his/her discretion but will not be over six (6) feet long. Each phase shall be completed off lead unless specified otherwise.
13. Whenever possible, the suspect will be unknown to the dog.
14. The suspect(s) may be other handlers testing or volunteers, with the approval of the Master Trainer / Certifying Official, or in some cases the Master Trainer / Certifying Official themselves.
15. In the phases requiring the dog to physically apprehend the suspect, the dog must fully engage and hold/fight the suspect.
16. In the phases requiring the dog to stop his pursuit and apprehension of the suspect, the handler may use any command or series of commands to control the dog.
17. Failure of the dog to release and/or to respond to obedience commands in a timely manner is grounds for failure.
18. The handler must demonstrate sound tactics during all phases of the test.
*This phase will not have any order, Master Trainer/Certifying Official will decide order.
1. The dog will begin this phase from the heel position.
2. The suspect will begin at a random distance away from the team.
3. At the direction of the Master Trainer / Certifying Official, the suspect will run away from the team in any direction.
4. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official will inform the handler when to send their dog.
5. The suspect will stop and surrender, terminating the pursuit, when instructed by the Master Trainer / Certifying Official.
6. The type of call off used is at the handler’s discretion, but the Master Trainer / Certifying Official must be informed of the type to be used prior to the test. It may be one of the following:
a. Dog is recalled to the heel position.
b. Dog is commanded to the down, sit, or stand position and the handler will join their dog or recall the dog to the heel position.
7. The dog will display reasonable force or detaining behavior.
8. The importance of this certification is that the suspect is not mouthed, nipped, or bitten by the dog regardless of the type of call off used.
9. Non-aggressive incidental contact made by the dog while attempting to respond to the call off is not faulty.
10. This phase will be complete when the dog is in the heel position with the handler.
*This phase will not have any order, Master Trainer/Certifying Official will decide order.
1. The dog and handler in or next to a stationary vehicle will order the suspect approach to them.
2. When the suspect refuses and after the handler issues the appropriate verbal warnings, the handler will command their dog to apprehend the suspect.
3. The dog will pursue, apprehend, and hold the suspect.
4. Upon the handler’s arrival at the location of the dog and suspect, and at the direction of the Master Trainer / Certifying Official, the handler will then command the dog to release and call off.
5. The release or call off can be by either voice or removing the canine by gripping the collar and giving the release command and immediately controlling the canine.
6. When the canine is shown to be under control by the handler and the suspect has remained still then the suspect will simulate attacking the handler.
7. The dog will apprehend and hold the suspect.
8. The Master Trainer / Certifying Official will direct the handler to release the dog from the suspect.
9. The handler will then command the dog to release and call off by either voice or removing the canine by gripping the collar and giving the release command and immediately controlling the canine.
10. This phase is complete when the dog is shown to under control by handler.