Instructor Certification

Instructor Certification verifies the ability to teach scent detection concepts, evaluate performance, and guide teams using standardized instructional methods. The questions that must be answered are can the candidate clearly communicate important concepts in an understandable and implementable way to new or inexperienced handlers.

Candidates must demonstrate:

Instructional clarity
- Ability to effectively communicate the important principles involved in
  detector dog handling and problem solving
- How to evaluate team compliance with articulated principles
Working/Practical Ability & Knowledge
- Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge of
  - how to evaluate performance of a working detector dog team
  - how to identify weaknesses in teams (canine and handler)
  - how to guide teams using standardized instructional methods
  - how to formulate remedial training plans to address identified
    problems with performance
  - the above are tested in both written and performance formats
Training Scenario design
- Explain and demonstrate the design of a scenario to address a specific
  operational problem
  - define basis for evaluator assigned problem
  - explain how the scenario will help address and rectify the problem
Performance evaluation
- Evaluation of instructional effectiveness and delivery
Team feedback delivery
- Feedback gathered from instructed team(s) and will influence candidate
  instructor’s final score
Safety and standards compliance
- Articulate any safety concerns for a given scenario and how to address
  them

Who this is for: Experienced handlers or trainers instructing others and who wish to obtain documentation substantiating their ability, experience and knowledge.

Prerequisites: Handler training and detector dog team certification under the Latimer School of
Operational Canines.

Testing Official Certification: The candidate posses the knowledge and experience to design a double blind detector dog team certification test.

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