A.W.D. Narcotics

American Working Dogs was founded by handler's throughout the United States and now around the world to offer another practical avenue to certify their K9 teams.

The canine team shall be evaluated by an approved K-9 team evaluator prior to general law enforcement deployment and at least once annually. If the canine team fails the testing, they may re-test after a 24 hour period. Certifications are good for a period of 1 year from the date of testing. Certification Forms and copies of the Certificate are property of AWD and shall be kept on file by AWD

*** Please click here to find an American Working Dogs Certifying Official in your area.***

 

Narcotic Certification Standards

The following standards will be met to acquire the American Working Dog Detection Certification. The certification standards are set forth for the K-9 teams to demonstrate Odor Recognition by the K-9. All teams will be tested in a building and vehicles that has not been used in the past for K-9 training.

 

Narcotics used for Certification:

 

  • All K-9’s must find Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine to certify.
  • Other narcotics are optional to certify on upon request and availability.
  • Other odors shall follow the same quantity amounts accordingly.
    • Marijuana will be no less then ¼ ounce and on more than 2 ounces per hide.
    • Cocaine will be no less than 10 grams and no more than 30 grams per hide.
    • Methamphetamine will be no less than 10 grams and no more than 30 grams per hide.
    • Heroin will be no less than 10 grams and no more than 30 grams per hide.

 

Search Areas & Alerts:

 

  • Prior to starting the certification the handler must advise the certifying official if the K-9 is passive or aggressive alert.
  • NO Narcotic Scented Rewards are allowed during certification
  • The handler must advise the official of a positive indication while the K-9 is showing an obvious response to the odor. The handler can call a positive response by the K-9’s change of behavior. A final response is not required
  • The handler will be allowed only one false response during the certification. If the certification is terminated of any reason the team may attempt to recertify after 24 hours.
    • There will be one hide of the above listed narcotics per room. 4 rooms total will be used.
    • Each room shall be no larger than 1000 square feet but must have several items for the K-9 to search. This will be at the discretion of the certifying official.
    • There will be 6 vehicles with 4 hides and 2 blanks. Exterior hides only.

 

CERTIFICATION:

 

The canine team shall be evaluated by an approved K-9 team evaluator prior to general law enforcement deployment and at least once annually. If the canine team fails the testing, they may re-test after a 24 hour period.

 

  1. The K9 team evaluator should have a minimum of 4 years’ experience as a law enforcement K-9 handler or a certified law enforcement/military K-9 trainer; and,
  2. There Certification must be under the authority of a Police Training Council/Academy or Post.
  3. In order to avoid any perceived conflict of interest between the evaluator and the K-9 team, the evaluator cannot certify the team the first time if
    1. They were the primary instructor for the handler or the team.
    2. They were the primary trainer of the dog.
    3. They are the dog’s handler.

 

Certifications are good for a period of 1 year from the date of testing.

Certification Forms and copies of the Certificate are property of AWD and shall be kept on file by AWD