General Guidelines

Certification Rules will only be reviewed and changed by the training committee. Any proposed change(s) will be submitted in writing to the OHIO FEDERATION OF K9 SEARCH TEAMS Membership at least thirty (30) days prior to a vote. If the proposed change(s) are not received in writing and at least thirty (30) days prior to the membership meeting, it (they) will not be considered.

The Ohio Federation of K9 Search Teams has adopted the following test rules. Each of the following tests is designed to determine the proficiency of the Search Dog team for certification. Each test is based on a pass/fail basis. There will be $10 fee charged for OHIO FEDERATION OF K9 SEARCH TEAMS certification testing. A fee may be imposed to cover expenses of travel, lodging and meals only, if necessary.

Evaluators

Evaluators will act as Judges for these tests. Evaluators will designate the area, phase and manner of each phase to be tested. The Evaluator should make every effort not to interfere with or distract the dog. The Evaluator will observe the search dog during each test for willingness, enjoyment, interest and accuracy. Handlers will be observed for ability and overall control of his/her dog.

Certification Validity

Upon successful completion of each test the Training Committee will issue permanent credentials and they will be valid for two (2) years from the date of issue. The team being tested must pass each phase of each test no matter in what order or combination they are tested in.

Once a specific dog/handler team passes the same Obedience Test the second time (i.e. on lead or off lead) the certification is valid for as long as the team is operational.

The Federation will accept third party certifications, and issue a Federation Certificate based upon third party certification where those third party certifications meet or exceed the Ohio Federation of K9 Search Teams.

These will include, but are not limited to the Training Committees accepted third party matrix.

Certain Equipment Prohibited

At no time during any of the offered certification tests will sticks or whips of any type, pinch collars, electronic or ultrasonic devices be used. No food inducements "treats" may be used during obedience testing and no corrections may be applied during obedience testing.

At no time during any of the offered certification tests will sticks or whips of any type, pinch collars, electronic or ultrasonic devices be used. No food inducements treats may be used during obedience testing and no corrections may be applied during obedience testing.

Scoring

All of the following tests are scored on a pass/fail basis. Any Search Dog team that fails a test and feels that they have been judged unfairly, will, at the time of the test notify the Evaluator of his/her appeals. The handler will then file a complete report of his/her observations and the reasons they feel they were judged unfairly. The Evaluator having been notified of the appeal will file a report of his/her observations, all testing sheets and basis for failing the team. All reports will be filed within thirty (30) days of the test with the Training Committee and President of the Federation. Upon review, a vote will be taken, and a final decision rendered in within thirty (30) additional days.

Reapplication

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

Evaluator Qualifications

The Evaluator must provide evidence of the following:

  1. Must have a dog certified by a third-party in the discipline for which they wish to be an evaluator. Third party evaluation standards must be at least as stringent as Federation standards and may include FEMA, NAPWDA, and others as approved by the training committee.
  2. A resume must be submitted to the training committee and the President. It must include all outside seminars attended.
  3. A minimum of three years of active participation in Search and Rescue.
  4. To be a water dog evaluator within the Federation, you must have had or currently have a water dog with outside certification, or, in-house certification and a minimum of three water searches.

Certification Pre-Requisites

  1. CGC or equivalent as approved by the Federation Training Committee.
  2. All dogs must pass obedience testing prior to other certifications being issued. On lead obedience testing only for those Search Dogs that perform searches on-lead only.
  3. Agility testing is recommended prior to any search discipline testing. Agility testing is a mandatory requirement for disaster certification. Agility testing certification may be provided by any one of the following: an agility class with certification, a recognized agility instructor signing off on the Search Dog's capability, an in-house test done with proper equipment and a photographic record, a NAPWDA agility test signed by a Master Trainer, or, an Atterbury Limited Test for the Federation.

Definition of Search Dog Team

The handler and the dog testing are considered to be one team, and it is this team together that is receiving certification. The certification is therefore non-transferable to a new handler of a previously tested dog, or conversely, to a new dog of a previously tested handler. Therefore, if a new handler or a new dog enters, a new team has been formed (by definition), and testing for any discipline must be repeated for the new team.

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Standards Revision October 21, 2006

Guidelines