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

Tracking / Trailing Dog Team Certification Standards

Trailing Canine Team Certification
Level One (Basic Trailing)

This pass/fail certification is designed to test the handler and canines ability to problem solve a scenario involving a lost subject or criminal suspect. The scenario will involve a wilderness setting with the ground cover consisting or leaves, tall/short grass, dirt etc. The handler will be evaluated on his/her ability to interpret the trailing canines positive and negative indications of being in scent of the escaped/lost subject and his/her ability to adapt and overcome any and all obstacles placed before the canine team by the evaluators.

The trail shall be at least 30 minutes old, but not older than 1 hour. The trail will consist of at least two 90 degree turns but not more than four 90 degree turns. Cross trails may be present and will be laid prior to subject trail. The trail shall be a minimum of 300 yards long but no more then 500 yards long. The trailing canine team will be given the area that the subject last seen.

Successful completion of the trailing certification will result in the trailing team locating the actual track layer within 30 minutes of starting the trail.

Teams may attempt to recertify if time permits during the certification period, this will be at the discretions of the evaluators.

Trailing Canine Team Certification
Level Two (Advanced Trailing)

This pass/fail certification is designed to test the handler and canines ability to problem solve a scenario involving a lost subject or criminal suspect. The scenario will involve a wilderness and/or urban setting with the ground cover consisting or leaves, tall/short grass, dirt, concrete, asphalt, gravel etc. The handler will be evaluated on his/her ability to interpret the trailing canines positive and negative indications of being in scent of the escaped/lost subject and his/her ability to adapt and overcome any and all obstacles placed before the canine team by the evaluators.

The trail shall be at least 1.5 hours old, but not older than 4 hours. The trail will consist of numerous turns and cut backs. Cross trails may be present and may be laid prior or after to subject trail being laid. The trail shall be a minimum of 1 mile long but no more then 3 miles long. The trailing canine team will be given the area that the subject last seen.

Successful completion of the trailing certification will result in the trailing team locating the actual track layer within 1 hours of starting the trail.

Teams may attempt to recertify if time permits during the certification period, this will be at the discretions of the evaluators.

Tracking Canine Team Certification
Level One (Basic Tracking)

This pass/fail certification is designed to test the handler and canines ability to problem solve a scenario involving a lost subject or criminal suspect. The scenario will involve a wilderness setting with the ground cover consisting or leaves, tall/short grass, dirt etc. The handler will be evaluated on his/her ability to interpret the tracking canines positive and negative indications of being in scent of the escaped/lost subject and his/her ability to adapt and over come any and all obstacles placed before the canine team by the evaluators.

The track shall be at least 30 minutes old, but not older then 1 hour. The track will consist of at least two 90 degree turns but not more then four 90 degree turns. Cross tracks may be present and will be laid prior to subject track. There will be a minimum of 2 evidence articles along the track that the tracking team must locate to pass certification. The track shall be a minimum of 300 yards long but no more then 500 yards long. The tracking canine team will be given the area that the subject last seen.

Successful completion of the tracking certification will result in the tracking team locating the actual track layer within 45 minutes of starting the track..

Teams may attempt to recertify if time permits during the certification period, this will be at the discretions of the evaluators.

Tracking Canine Team Certification
Level Two (Advanced Tracking)

This pass/fail certification is designed to test the handler and canines ability to problem solve a scenario involving a lost subject or criminal suspect. The scenario will involve a wilderness and/or urban setting with the ground cover consisting or leaves, tall/short grass, dirt, concrete, asphalt, gravel etc. The handler will be evaluated on his/her ability to interpret the tracking canines positive and negative indications of being in scent of the escaped/lost subject and his/her ability to adapt and overcome any and all obstacles placed before the canine team by the evaluators.

The track shall be at least 1.5 hours old, but not older then 4 hours. The track will consist of numerous turns and cut backs. Cross tracks may be present and may be laid prior or after to subject track being laid. There will be a minimum of 3 evidence articles along the track which must be found by the canine. The track shall be a minimum of 1 mile long but no more than 3 miles long. The tracking canine team will be given the area that the subject last seen.

Successful completion of the tracking certification will result in the tracking team locating the actual track layer within 1 ½ hours of starting the track.

Teams may attempt to recertify if time permits during the certification period, this will be at the discretions of the evaluators.