K-9 Evaluations

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K-9 Evaluations Page Navigation Training, Evaluation, & Evaluation Timeline | Pre-Evaluation I | Pre-Evaluation II | Pre-Evaluation III Level I Mission Readiness Evaluation | MRE Level I Evaluation Sheets Level II Mission Readiness Evaluation | MRE Level II Evaluation Sheets   Training, Evaluation, & Evaluation Time-Line The evaluation process is a part of the training protocol required to properly prepare a handler and dog for Mission Readiness. If a team does not pass an evaluation on the first try, the team may take the evaluation again within a two month window. If a team fails the same test twice, the team will meet with the K-9 Unit Leader and Full Members of the K-9 Unit for a review to determine whether or not the team will be allowed to continue training. Outside individuals from established SAR teams will conduct all Mission Readiness Evaluations of TSAR K-9 teams. 1. Pre-Evaluation I - must successfully complete within 6 months of the first day of training. 2. Pre-Evaluation II - must successfully complete within 6 months of passing Pre-Evaluation I. 3. Pre-Evaluation III - must be completed and signed to the satisfaction of the TSAR K-9 Unit Leader within 1 year of passing Pre-Evaluation II. 4. Level I Mission Readiness Evaluation - must successfully complete within 1 year of passing the Pre-Test Evaluation II. Therefore, a dog/handler team has up to 2 years to complete training and achieve mission readiness status. 5. Level II Mission Readiness Evaluation - must successfully complete within 8 months of passing the Level I Mission Readiness Evaluation or a Secondary MRE. 6. Secondary Mission Readiness Evaluation - must successfully complete within 8 months of passing the Level I Mission Readiness Evaluation or Level II Mission Readiness Evaluation. 7. Maintaining Mission Readiness Status - For teams meeting TSAR K-9 Unit attendance requirements: every 2 years. For teams not meeting TSAR K-9 Unit attendance requirements: every year. Top of Evaluation Page   TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation I This evaluation is provided an overall record of training goals and finally to provide a benchmark in the progress of the handler/dog team. It also prepares the team for the second phase of training and evaluation on the path to achieving mission ready status.   The evaluation is in two parts: 1) a training checklist, and 2) a field evaluation. Both parts must be successfully completed within 6 months of the team's first training session. The training checklist must be completed before the field evaluation is scheduled.   If the field evaluation is not successfully completed, the handler/dog team will be given an opportunity to repeat the evaluation within 2 months from when the evaluation was originally attempted. At the completion of Pre-evaluation I, scores and reports are considered by the mission ready teams within the K-9 unit and a decision is made as to whether dog and handler will continue further training with the unit.   The following pages contain all information and score sheets to complete the TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation I: A) Training Checklist - Air Scent B) Training List - Tracking/Trailing C) Field Evaluation Details D) Field Evaluation Sheet   A)  TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation I - Training Checklist - Air Scent  Start Date:  Finish Date:  Training Tasks - Air Scent  Sign-off by UL/TC  Handler: 1  2  3  4 5   6  7  8  9  10  Score  Demonstrates good relationship with dog                        Open to suggestions of teammates                        Follows directions well                       Demonstrates beginning understanding of scent theory                       Beginning to read dog                       Trusts dog and does not lead                        Shows enthusiasm in working with dog                        Demonstrates good team skills                        Remains calm while handling dog and during search scenario                        Utilizes dog's commands properly                        Encourages & supports dog's drive                        Current with training logs                        Handler Score    K-9:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  Score  Dog gets along well with people                        Dog gets along well with other dogs                        Runaway Game w/ handler/familiar person                        Runaway Game w/ new person                        Check-mark Problem                       Walk/run-away game w/ increased difficulty                        Blind Finds                        Exhibits satisfaction w/ reward                       K-9 Score    Total Score    Signature of UL: Top of Evaluation Page Pre-Evaluation I B)  TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation I - Training Checklist - Tracking/Trailing  Start Date:  Finish Date:  Training Tasks - Tracking/Trailing  Sign-off by UL/TC  Handler: 1  2  3  4 5   6  7  8  9  10  Score  Demonstrates good relationship with dog                        Open to suggestions of teammates                        Follows directions well                       Demonstrates beginning understanding of scent theory                       Beginning to read dog                       Trusts dog and does not lead                        Shows enthusiasm in working with dog                        Demonstrates good team skills                        Does not use line for correction when working dog                        Keeps proper tension on line                        Remains calm while handling dog and during search scenario                        Utilizes dog's commands properly                        Encourages & supports dog's drive                        Current with training logs                        Handler Score    K-9:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  Score  Dog gets along well with people                        Dog gets along well with other dogs                         Basic footprint track, 50-100 feet                         Basic footprint track, 100 + feet                       45 degree track acquisition                       90 degree track acquisition                       90 degree turns on track: into wind/away from wind                        Dog understands taking scent                        Aged Track: 2-4 hours                        Exhibits satisfaction w/ reward                       K-9 Score    Total Score    Signature of UL: Top of Evaluation Page Pre-Evaluation I C) Pre-Evaluation I - Field Evaluation Details   The K-9 team must arrive to the evaluation site on time with all equipment for self and dog complete and ready to go. Evaluation of handling of the dog is begun upon arrival.   The K-9 team must successfully search and find one subject in an area of 10 acres (1/8 mile x 1/8 mile) in moderate terrain. The find must take place within 1 hour from the time the dog is released with a find command. The dog may air scent, track, or trail. The handler will not know where the subject is placed within the search area. The subject shall not wear any bright colors and must not be visible to the handler within 20 feet.   Following are the criteria upon which the handler is evaluated: Handler arrives at evaluation site with appropriate equipment and in control of one's dog and situation. Handler properly obtains the search scenario from the evaluator and demonstrates an ability to plan an appropriate method of search. Handler must demonstrate a basic knowledge of weather and terrain effects upon his/her search problem. Handler must demonstrate sound handling techniques: send out, during search, during find, and reward. Handler must demonstrate ability to read his/her dog: alerts, working, not working, distracted interest, etc. Handler must maintain a calm and professional attitude. Handler must demonstrate an acceptable reward system for the dog. Following are the criteria upon which the K-9 is evaluated: Dog must exhibit eagerness to work and a consistent work ethic. Dog must exhibit good (not perfect) response to handler's commands. Dog must be willing to approach the subject when found. Dog must exhibit exuberance and satisfaction with his reward system. D) TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation I - Field Search  Handler:  K-9: Date:  Evaluation Standards Pass  Fail  Handler arrives at evaluation site with appropriate equipment and in control of one's dog and situation.      Handler properly obtains the search scenario from the evaluator and demonstrates an ability to plan an appropriate method of search.      Handler must demonstrate a basic knowledge of weather and terrain effects upon his/her search problem.      Handler must demonstrate sound handling techniques: send out, during search, during find, and reward.      Handler must demonstrate ability to read his/her dog: alerts, working, not working, distracted interest, etc.      Handler must maintain a calm and professional attitude.      Handler must demonstrate an acceptable reward system for the dog.     Dog must exhibit eagerness to work and a consistent work ethic.       Dog must exhibit good (not perfect) response to handler.      Dog must be willing to approach the subject when found.      Dog must exhibit exuberance and satisfaction with his reward system.     (Team must successfully achieve 10 out of 11 standards to pass the evaluation.) Totals       Final Result Pass Fail  Final Comments:                Signature of Evaluator: Top of Evaluation Page Pre-Evaluation I TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation II This evaluation is provided as a benchmark in the progress of the handler/dog team. It also mentally and physically begins to prepare the team for the final section of training and evaluation that is required to become a mission ready team. The evaluation must be successfully completed within 6 months of the team successfully completing the TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation I. The evaluation is in three parts: 1) a training checklist, 2) an obedience evaluation, and 3) a field evaluation. The training checklist and obedience evaluation must be completed before the field evaluation is scheduled.   If the field evaluation is not successfully completed, the handler/dog team will be given an opportunity to repeat the evaluation within 2 months from when the evaluation was originally attempted. At the completion of Pre-evaluation II, scores and reports are considered by the mission ready teams within the K-9 unit and a decision is made as to whether dog and handler will continue further training with the unit.   The following pages contain all information and score sheets to complete the TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation II: A) Training Checklist - Air Scent B) Training Checklist - Tracking/Trailing C) Obedience Score Sheet D) Field Evaluation Details E) Field Prep Evaluation Sheet F) Field Search Evaluation Sheet A)  TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation II - Training Checklist - Air Scent  Start Date:  Finish Date:  Training Tasks - Air Scent  Sign-off by UL/TC  Handler: 1  2  3  4 5   6  7  8  9  10  Score  Demonstrates good relationship with dog                        Open to suggestions of teammates                        Follows directions well                       Demonstrates understanding of scent theory                       Reading dog well                       Trusts dog and does not lead                        Shows enthusiasm in working with dog                        Demonstrates good team skills                        Remains calm while handling dog and during search scenario                        Utilizes dog's commands properly                        Competent use of compass to determine alert direction                        Correct plotting of position on map                        Demonstrates basic working knowledge of GPS                        Rests and waters dog appropriately                        Encourages & supports dog's drive                        Current with training logs                        Handler Score    K-9:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  Score  Transfer to non-visual cues: walk-in, call-out, etc.                        Blind finds                        Increased distance/time: 10-20 acres                        Increased distance/time: 20-40 acres                        Two subject finds                        Unconscious subject find                        Exhibits satisfaction w/ reward                        Dog works at pace appropriate for weather/terrain conditions                        Demonstrates scent discrimination                        Training of find alert or find/refind alert                       Scent Specific Problems                         Generic Scent Problems                       K-9 Score    Total Score    Signature of UL: Top of Evaluation Page Pre-Evaluation II B) Top of Evaluation Page Pre-Evaluation II C) Pre Evaluation II - Obedience: The following brief obedience evaluation must be successfully passed in order to schedule the field search evaluation: TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation II - Obedience  Handler:  K-9: Date:  Evaluation Standards Pass  Fail  Sit      Down     Sit-Stay      Long Down-Stay - Handler Present = 8 minutes      Long Down Stay - Handler Absent = 3 minutes      Heel - no pulling      Final Result Pass Fail  Final Comments:            Signature of Evaluator: Top of Evaluation Page Pre-Evaluation II D) Pre-Evaluation II - Field Evaluation Details The K-9 team must arrive to the evaluation site on time with all equipment for self and dog complete and ready to go. Evaluation of handling of the dog is begun upon arrival. The K-9 team must successfully search and find one subject in an area of 20 acres (1/4 mile x 1/4 mile) in moderate terrain. The find must take place within 1 hour from the time the dog is released with a find command. The dog may air scent, track, or trail. The handler will not know where the subject is placed within the search area. The subject shall not wear any bright colors and must not be visible to the handler within 20 feet. Following are the criteria upon which the handler is evaluated: Handler arrives at evaluation site with appropriate equipment and in control of one's dog and situation. Handler properly obtains the search scenario from the evaluator and demonstrates an ability to plan an appropriate method of search. Handler must demonstrate a basic knowledge of weather and terrain effects upon his/her search problem. Handler must demonstrate sound handling techniques: send out, during search, during find, and reward. Handler must demonstrate ability to read his/her dog: alerts, working, not working, distracted interest, etc. Handler must maintain a calm and professional attitude. Handler must demonstrate an acceptable reward system for the dog. Following are the criteria upon which the K-9 is evaluated: Dog must exhibit eagerness to work and a consistent work ethic. Dog must exhibit good (not perfect) response to handler's commands. Dog must be willing to approach the subject when found. Dog must exhibit exuberance and satisfaction with his reward system. E) Field Prep: The handler must demonstrate navigational skills and an understanding of scent theory through passing a brief field test prior to the search evaluation:   TSAR K-9 Pre-Evaluation II - Field Prep  Handler:  K-9: Date:  Evaluation Standards Pass  Fail  Program in and navigate to specific UTM coordinates on the gps.      Determine a compass bearing on a sited object.     Determine wind directio