American Police Dog Tactics Association
"Real Training for the Real World"

Explosives Detection Dog Team Certification Standards

This certification is designed to test the handlers ability to problem solve a scenario involving a possible explosive device. The scenario may involve a passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, parcel/ luggage line up, residential or commercial building. The handler will be evaluated on his/her ability to interpret the Explosive Detection Canines alert when in the presence of the odor of an explosive, the ability to utilize both natural and artificial wind currents and the ability to adapt and over come any and all obstacles placed before the canine team by the evaluators.

Explosive odors the canine team may be exposed to include TNT, PETN, RDX, Smokeless Powder, Black Powder, Data Sheet, Nitrates, Chlorates and their derivatives. The odors of TATP and HMTD are currently being researched and will be incorporated into the certification process.

Each canine team requesting certification will be presented with a minimum of 10 scenarios. Each scenario may or may not include the presence of an explosive odor or distracting odor. The canine handler will be required to correctly call 10 out of 10 scenarios. Each handler must correctly call the location of the explosive hide and allow the canine to work the scene to the closest possible source. Handler must call the location of the hide within a reasonable area, usually within three feet, general areas will not be accepted. Hides will be allowed to set at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the scenario. Hides placed in vehicles will be allowed to set 30 minutes however the vehicle may be moved anytime during or before the scenario. Hides will be placed at different heights/depths and will not be limited to any certain size of weight. No pseudo explosives will be used all hides will be real explosives.

Canines shall be allowed to work on or off lead providing the canine is properly socialized and is none aggressive. Canines should be under the control of the handler at all times and not touching, biting or moving items in the area being checked.

Scenarios may include but will not be limited to: Vehicle entry checkpoints, Vehicle parking lots, Interior building searches, exterior building searches, luggage checks on commercial passenger vehicles, parcel line ups, etc. Each scenario will be set to realistically test the ability of the handler to direct the canine and the canines ability to conduct sniffs in different environments. Canine teams may be required to conduct lengthy checks of large parking areas and or buildings.

Canine teams will not be certified if any of the following occur: Failure to call less then 10 hides correctly out of 10, more then two false alerts, canine excessively touches or moves objects being checked, handler does not have control over the canine. Teams may attempt to recertify if time permits during the certification period, this will be at the discretion of the evaluators.