Events

DETECTION WORK:

Explosives and Narcotics are very similar with the obvious critical exception of the substance being searched for. Explosive Detector Dog teams search meticulously as a miss here could have day-ruining consequences.

Narcotics searches are intense work for the handler and the dog. While patrol dogs have the luxury of searching for a 180-pound sweaty human being, narcotic detector dogs often have only a few grams of controlled substance. There are typically four to six “hides” hidden for the search. Teams are judged on their working together, fluidness, intensity of the dogs’ search and many other factors.

AREA & BUILDING SEARCH:

On the surface, there seems to be little difference between the Area and Building searches. They both involve finding a hidden decoy, pinpointing and calling the alert. But the differences are real. The Area Search tests the teams’ ability to locate hidden suspects in a defined geographical area. The handler must command the dog to search where directed to ensure maximum use of the wind and a thorough search. Buildings test the dog’s nose and especially its ability to work scent. Air currents are unpredictable in a building, often carrying the scent completely across the room before being detected by the dog. Add to this, slippery floors, closed doors and other obstacles, buildings can be formidable.

AGILITY:

Generally, the first event held on the second day of competition.  This event tests teams through various obstacles such as: a window jump, a 4ft. wall, a barrel pyramid, and a teeter totter to name a few.  Dogs may be called upon to traverse a wide variety of obstacles on the street.  This is a good challenge to find the most agile of those teams.

OBEDIENCE:

An obedient dog is an extremely impressive thing to see.  During the obedience stage, agitators may attempt to get the attention of the dog while the team completes a series of downs, heels, turns, and other tactical movement.  The dog may be required to not 'break' and engage the agitator at this time.  If the dog breaks and engages he may be disqualified from that event.  This is very difficult for a dog that does not have the discipline to obey the handler, as one of the dogs favorite things to do is 'play' with his agitator. 

HANDLER PROTECTION (APPREHENSION):

A crowd favorite! The team will be required to engage multiple agitators in a wide variety of scenarios.  The team will also be required to do either a 'call-off' or a detain. A call-off is while the dog is in pursuit of the agitator the handler is required to call the dog back to him, the dog must return prior to crossing a pre-determined distance. A detain is when the agitator becomes passive, the dog will generally lye down usually within ten feet of the agitator and bark.  This is extremely difficult to teach a dog as most dogs want to engage the agitator more than anything. 

AWARDS:

Each phase of the Trial is its own “mini” competition. Awards are given for the top five finishers in Narcotics, Area Search, Building Search, Obedience, Agility and Handler Protection and the top three finishers in Explosives. Each search is timed, but time is used only to break ties. Teams are judged on many facets of their performance including the handler’s tactics.  Additionally, awards are given for the top three finishers in Top Dog and Top Agency.

Top Agency. This award goes to the agency whose competing patrol dog teams have the highest overall average score from all categories. This award addresses consistent, overall high performance in every category and is highly coveted. It is a symbol of a well-rounded and solid K-9 program. To be eligible to compete for this award, there must be at least two teams from an agency.

Top Handler. This award goes to the patrol dog team that has the highest overall average score from all categories. As with Top Agency, this award addresses overall performance in all phases of the trial. To stay in the running for this award, a K-9 team need not necessarily win a lot of first places in individual events, but must show solid, consistent scores throughout the entire competition. Again, this coveted award honors the well-rounded team.

Explosives: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Narcotics: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place awards
Obedience: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place awards
Agility: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place awards
Building: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place awards
Area Search: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place awards
Handler Protection (Apprehension): 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place awards
Top Agency:  1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards
Top Handler: This award will go to the top overall handler (excluding narcotics or explosives) 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.