ASTM F1879-14(2020)

4.1 This guide establishes the minimum level of obedience and agility required for canines to perform safely and effectively on a search dog team or crew.

4.2 Obedience skills ensure that a dog is under the control of the handler, that it will not interfere with other resources such as search team members, rescue personnel, other search dogs, and members of the public, it can be left without the handler’s supervision, and it can be evacuated by someone other than the handler.

4.3 Agility skills demonstrate the dog’s ability to negotiate terrain and obstacles that may be present in a search area. They also demonstrate the dog’s ability to work in an unfamiliar environment with unstable or loose objects underfoot.

4.4 Handlers shall direct the dog with minimal commands.

4.5 This guide may be used by units, handlers, and requesting agencies to evaluate canine search resources. It may also be used for establishing local performance guidelines or standards.

4.6 This guide by itself is not a training document, but may be used to develop a training document or program.

4.7 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional obedience or agility requirements.

4.8 The skills and abilities presented in the following sections are not in any particular order and do not represent a training sequence.

4.9 The AHJ is responsible for determining how to evaluate the obedience and agility of search dogs.

1.1 This guide establishes the minimum obedience and agility expected of canines that are part of a search dog team or crew.

1.2 Further training is required for a canine before it may perform as a member of a search dog team or crew.

1.3 This guide applies to canine members of all search resources classified in ASTM F1848 Standard Classification System for Canine Search Resources.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.