International Police Work Dog Association Certification

The following test rules have been adopted by the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA). Each of the following tests are designed to determine the proficiency of the work dog team for certification in each phase of police work for K-9s. Whenever practical, a police work dog team graduating from an accredited training school should be tested and accredited. The successful passing of certification standards can be submitted in court. Each test is based on a pass/fail basis.

A. Judges. Master Trainers will act as judges for these tests

Judges will designate the area, phase and manner of each phase to be tested. The judge should make every effort not to interfere with or distract the dog. The judge will observe the work dog during each test for willingness, enjoyment, interest and accuracy. Handlers will be observed for ability and overall control of his/her dog. Upon successful completion of each test the credentials of accreditation will be issued.  Accreditation will be valid for two (2) years from the date of issue, (Except explosive detector teams, whose accreditation will only be valid for one (1) year.)

B. Prohibited Equipment. At no time during any of the offered certification tests will whips of any type be used. Pinch collars and electronic collars may be worn by the canine during testing; however, collars of this style may not be activated during any certification phase.

C. Abuse of a K-9. During any IPWDA function, any trainer/Master Trainer who observes what they believe to be cruel and or abusive treatment of a K-9 will have the right to terminate the existing exercise. The team will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the function. The trainer/Master Trainer will inform the Executive Board of this incident and after a vote of the board, either the matter will be sent on to be handled by the grievance procedure or the team will be reinstated to complete whatever part of the function remains, if any.

D. Appeal. A work dog team that fails any of the following tests may reapply for testing at the next and most convenient time and date.

Any member that fails a test and feels that they have been judged unfairly will at the time of the test, notify the judge of his/her appeal. The member will then file a complete report of their observations and the reasons they feel they were judged unfairly. The judge having been notified of the appeal will file a report of his/her observations, all testing sheets, and his basis for failing the team.

All reports will be filed within thirty (30) days of the test to the President of the IPWDA. The President will then appoint an appeals committee. Reports or copies thereof will be forwarded to the appeals committee. Findings of the committee will be returned to the President and in turn he will forward a copy of the findings to the member and the Master Trainer. The decision of the appeals committee must be by a majority vote and it will be final.

E. Membership. Work dog teams wishing to be certified under these rules and by this Association must be members in good standing.

1. Police work dog teams wishing to be tested and certified under these rules and by this Association, must be regular members of this Association.

2. Associate members can be tested and certified under these rules in the following phases:
    a. Obedience
    b. Tracking
    c. Area search
    d. Article search
    e. Agility
    f. Search and rescue
    g. Explosives - Phase One

F. Certification Validity. An IPWDA Certification of a regular member canine team will only be valid when the canine team is being utilized by:

    1. The law enforcement agency they are employed by.

    2. A law enforcement agency they are on official assignment to by authority of their own law enforcement agency employer, (i.e., county, state, federal task force)

    3. A law enforcement agency which requested and received official mutual aid from the canine team's law enforcement agency employer
NOTE: Under no circumstances will an IPWDA canine team's certification be valid when the team is being utilized for any and all non law enforcement agency uses.
Under no circumstances will any member canine team's certification be valid either regular or associate member, if their membership status is not in good standing.

G. Certification Fees. There will be no charge for certifications. Master Trainers may be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses, or be given a reasonable stipend to cover travel related expenses.
 

H.  Master Trainers may not perform the first IPWDA certification for dogs that they have sold.

 

POLICE SERVICE DOG CERTIFICATION

To obtain a police service dog certification title, the police work dog team must pass all phases of the patrol dog testing areas.

Prior to testing for this certification, the handler must notify the Master Trainer of his/her intent to obtain this certification.

The team must pass each of the following areas.
1. Obedience (must be passed to go on to other areas)
2. Article search
3. Area search
4. Tracking or Trailing
5. Building search
6. Aggression control
NOTE: There will be a break between tests.

Upon completion of the tests, the handler and dog will be considered a team and it is the team which is certified.

This certification will be valid for (2) years from the date of issue.

 

OBEDIENCE CONTROL TEST

This test is to determine if the Police Work Dog is capable of performing off lead obedience exercises. This test is designed to test the dog’s ability and proficiency, and the handler’s total control over his/her dog. This test must be passed before proceeding on to any other utility phases where the dog will be utilized off lead.

The Police Work Dog Team will be tested in the following three (3) phases:
1. Heeling Phase

2. Walking Phase

3. Distance Phase

Each phase may be tested in any order and will be judged on a pass/fail basis. All phases will be done under direction of the Master Trainer. No cruel or abusive corrections will be displayed at any time. If such is observed, the Master Trainer will note same and forward to IPWDA headquarter for file information.

Heeling Phase
The heeling phase of this test will consist of the following exercises:
1. Normal pace

2. Fast pace or double time

3. Slow pace or half-step

4. A minimum two (2) right turns; two (2) left turns, two (2) about turns

Each portion of the above must be a minimum of thirty (30) feet long. The different phases may be conducted on any portion. On one leg of the course, the team must heel through a group of at least three (3) stationary people.

Walking Phase
The team will begin from the “finish” position, and walk forward together. At a point designated by the Master Trainer, the handler will command his dog to sit, stand or down and continue walking;  this is done without breaking stride. At a point designated by the Master Trainer, the handler while continuing to walk away from his/her dog will command the dog to heel. The Master Trainer will instruct the team to “about turn” and then to walk forward. At a point designated by the Master Trainer, the handler will stay his/her dog (sit, down or stand) and without breaking stride will continue walking. At a point designated by the Master Trainer the handler will turn and retrieve his/her dog and return to place of origin.

Distance Phase
At a point designated by the Master Trainer, the handler will leave his/her dog in a “stay”, at a distance of no less than fifty (50) feet, nor more than seventy-five (75) feet, the handler will be directed to turn and face his/her dog. At the direction of the Master Trainer the handler will complete the following commands.

“Sit or down” (by voice)
Or
“Sit or down” (by signal)

Choice and order of command or signals will be at the direction of the Master Trainer. The Master Trainer will then instruct the handler to recall his/her dog by hand or by voice. At a point prior to reaching the handler, the Master Trainer may direct the handler to stop his/her dog by voice or by signal. Stopping the dog may be either by a “down, sit or stay” command. After completion of the stop, the Master Trainer will direct the handler to recall his/her dog to the heel position by voice or signal command.


 

AGGRESSION CONTROL TEST

This test is to determine if the police work dog is capable of performing exercises encountered by the police handler and his/her, dog under simulated situations encountered while working. The test is designed to test the dog's ability, proficiency, and courage, and the handler’s total control of his/her dog.

The Police Work Dog Team will be tested in the following three phases:
1. Termination of Chase

2. Short Chase with Gunfire

3. Handler Protection

The dog and handler will be tested in all phases. Each phase is pass/fail. Protective gear will be worn by the suspect for all phases of the aggression control test.

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.

Guns and ammunition will be .38 calibers and will be checked by a Master Trainer or their appointed steward prior to the phase.

The suspects may be other handlers being tested, trainers, others approved by the Master Trainer.

Termination of Chase Phase.
The dog will start from the heel position. The suspect will be at a distance of approximately 40 yards away from the dog team. The Master Trainer will direct the suspect to run from the team. The Master Trainer will direst the handler to send his dog to make the apprehension. The suspect will stop and surrender. The handler will call off the dog. The call off is at the discretion of the handler. The Master Trainer must be told of the type of call off prior to the test.

It may be one of the following:
1. The dog is recalled to the heel.

2. The dog will be commanded to a down, sit, or standing position, and the handler will join the dog.

3. The dog will be commanded to a down, sit, or standing position, and the handler will recall the dog.

The importance of this phase is that the suspect is not bitten by the dog on the call off. Non aggressive contact made by the dog during the call off is not a failure. This phase is over when the dog is at the heel with the handler.

Short Chase with Gun Fire Phase
The suspect will be approximately 40 yards away. The suspect will be armed with a gun with 38 cal. blanks. The suspect will run away from the team and fire two shots. The dog will be released and apprehend the suspect. The suspect will be ordered to drop the gun if still in his possession. The dog will be called off. The phase is over when the dog returns to the heel with the handler.

Handler Protection Phase
This phase the handler is taking a suspect into custody. The handler places the dog into a sit or stay position. The handler approaches the suspect. The suspect simulates an attack on the handler when his is about to handcuffed. The dog will apprehend and hold the suspect. The dog will be called off. This phase is over when the dog is at the heel position with the handler.
 

BUILDING SEARCH TEST

This test is designed to be a simulation of a working situation. Three (3) basic types of buildings are selected and described for use on this test. The Master Trainer will accompany the team to observe the entire test, as could happen when a backup officer or superior officer would accompany the work dog team during an actual search. Officer survival should be considered.

Building types:
1. Residence and dwellings
2. Warehouses,  armories and barns
3. Schools, hotels and office buildings
4. Any other building judged acceptable by the Master Trainer.

Suspect:
1. Will be hidden ten (10) minutes prior to the test start.
2. Will be hidden in a place of concealment which is not visible to the work dog team.
3. Will wear protective sleeve if necessary for protection.
4. Should be brought into the building by way of a different route than to be used by the dog and handler.
5. Will be placed in concealment at any height

Master Trainer:
1. Will designate the area of the building to be used for the test.
2. Will designate the area in which the team is to begin their search.
3. Will accompany the team into the building and must be able to observe the test. The Master Trainer should make every effort not to interfere with the test, and should confer with the handler to reach an agreement so as not to disturb the dog's work; i.e., follow behind, observe from doorways, ladders, etc.
4. When it is obvious to the Master Trainer that the dog is not searching for the suspect, the Master Trainer will inform the handler of the failure of the test.

Handler:
1. This test may be done on or off leash. Equipment normally used will be permitted (collars, harness, etc.)
2. Confer with the Master Trainer prior to the test and agree on how the Master Trainer will accompany the dog throughout the test, and may encourage his/her dog with commands and praise as needed.
3. In no case will the handler open any doors that are closed in his/her search area. Rooms with open doors should be searched thoroughly.
4. The dog's indication of the find of the suspect must be obvious to the Master Trainer. If the dog indicates that the suspect is behind a closed door. The handler will inform the Master Trainer of their observation.

AREA SEARCH TEST

This test is designed to test the police work dogs ability and proficiency in searching for a hidden suspect within a large area when no known track is available, the team being tested should use the wind and air currents to their best advantage.

Master Trainer:
The Master Trainer will accompany the team during the entire test, and make every effort not to distract or interfere with the dog while he/she is working. The Master Trainer will designate the general area to be searched.

Handler:
Handlers may select the starting point outside the search area that he/she wishes. This test may be done on or off leash. The leash may not be any shorter than six (6) feet or longer than thirty (30) feet. Standard leashes, collars, correction collars or harnesses may be used. The handler will indicate to the Master Trainer the area in which the suspect is hidden within ten (10) feet of the suspect, and call for the suspect to show themselves.

Suspect:
The suspect will hide in the area at least ten (10) minutes prior to the beginning of the test. The suspect will hide themselves from view of the team using available concealment.

Time and area:
The area size the search takes place and the time allocated for the search will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer.
 

ARTICLE SEARCH TEST

This test is designed to test the police work dog's ability and proficiency in searching a designated area for articles having human scent on them. This would represent a search for discarded evidence or lost items. Master Trainers and handlers should review these rules in their entirety. Master Trainers will observe the test from outside the search area.

Master Trainer:
The Master Trainer will designate the search area.

Search Area:
The area to be searched will be no less than 60 by 60 feet. It will be covered by heavy vegetation less than ten (10) inches high. The search area will be contaminated prior to the test by one or more subjects crossing through the area at least twice with a dog.

Search Articles:
Three (3) articles of different composition (metal, wood, paper, etc.) will be thrown at random into the search area. The team to be tested will not view the placement of the articles. One article will be of metal composition.

The articles to be used will be selected from but not limited to, the following list:
A. Plastic credit card
B. Paper match book
C. Shotgun shell
D. Leather wallet
E. Wood handle screwdriver 46"
F. Crumpled cigarette pack
G. Metal hand gun
H. Empty pop can
Articles are to be selected by the Master Trainer according to availability.

Handler:
The dog once clearly indicating or finding a search article may be encouraged to retrieve it. However, it is preferred that the handler will elect to recover it him/herself. The handler may enter the search area and direct the search as he/she would in an actual situation. After each indication and article recovery, the handler will command the dog to continue the search. The dog will be judged on the alert and indication to the search article. This must be obvious to the Master Trainer.

The dog must make two (2) finds out of three (3) with a strong indication on both in order to pass this test.

Failure of this test may be based on lack of handler control, disinterest of the dog.
 

TRACKING TEST

This test is designed to determine if the police work dog is capable of tracking an unknown subject in an unfamiliar area, this test is intended to be closely simulative of working situations. This is a test of the dog’s ability and proficiency and the handler’s observations of the dog.

Handler:
Handlers may use leads, tracking ropes, harness, correction collars or leather collars for tracking. They may wear but not utilize, pinch collars, spike collars, electronic or ultrasonic devices.


Suspects:
The suspect will receive instruction from the Master Trainer for the method and direction that the track is to be laid. Before the track is laid, the Master Trainer will inform the handler whether a suspect or a sent article from the suspect will be at the end of the track.

Track:
The handler and dog will be secluded from view of the track while it is being laid. When the test begins the Master Trainer will inform the handler of the appropriate area to begin. The handler will not be told in which direction the track leads. There will be one (1) fresh cross track laid at least fifteen (15) minutes after the original track is laid. The cross track will be laid by a second person to test the dog's scent discrimination on the track must be at least one quarter mile long and have at least two (2) types of surfaces which are covered (dirt, grass, concrete, asphalt, woods, etc.). The track will be at least thirty (30) minutes old prior to beginning the test, and have at least three (3) turns in it. Due to climatic conditions the age of the track will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer.
 

K9 TRAILING TEST

These tests are to determine if the police K-9 are capable of performing the trailing exercise in a simulation of conditions which are encountered during working situations by the police work dog team. These tests are designed to test the dog's ability and proficiency and the handler’s control of the dog.

For this test the handler and K-9 will be hidden from view prior to the test start. The Master Trainer will follow the handler and in no way interfere with or distract the canine. In the event the team loses the trail and the handler is made aware of the same, he/she will be given five (5) minutes by the Master Trainer to recover the trail and continue. The Master Trainer will advise the handler when the five (5) minutes have elapsed and will notify the team that they have failed the test. The age of the trail may be adjusted by the Master Trainer due to climatic conditions.

The K-9 will start the trail one (1) hour old and trail at least one and a half mile. Surface cover at the start of the trail will be vegetation, but will run at least 500 feet on pavement, across a stream, if available, and cross two (2) fresh human trails. There will be at least three turns on this trail. The suspect will remain at the end of the trail until found.

The Master Trainer will determine if the canine and the handler will be awarded accreditation upon the test completion. The canine and handler will be certified as a team. If the canine changes handlers, the new team will need a new certification.

 

 

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