Here you will find the performance objectives utilized for training and certifying Narcotics Detector Dogs. These are the standards which the Utah Police Academy has researched and determined to be a reasonable foundation for this special variety of Service Dog.

1. General Information
   
   
   1. The skills favorable for successful deployment of a Narcotics Detector Dog are recognized in two categories: (1)Searching, and (2)Indication. The Dog and Handler can be successfully trained to an appropriate skill level by a qualified Detector Dog Instructor. The competency can then be evaluated and declared by a qualified Detector Dog Judge.
      
      
   2. The substances on which a Dog is trained and evaluated shall be determined by jurisdictional need.
      
      
   3. The quantities of the substances in the competency evaluation shall be limited to 5 grams. The only exception is the exercise involving buried narcotics, in which 1000 grams are used. The substances shall be packaged in various materials or containers.
      
      
   4. A Dog shall be evaluated only on substances with which it has been trained.
      
      
   5. The Narcotics Detector Dog evaluation shall be concluded within 48 hours after it is begun. This is to establish that the Dog's mental and physical endurance are sufficient to withstand the rigors of active service.
      
      
2. Human Clothing Search
   
   The Dog shall be able to locate/indicate two separate stashes of narcotics which have been hidden among six (6) piles of human clothing. A diversion will also be placed within the search area.
   
   
3. Residence Search
   
   The Dog shall be able to locate/indicate three (3) separate stashes of narcotics which have been hidden in a residence consisting of at least three (3) rooms. A diversion will also be placed within the search area.
   
   
4. Automobile Search
   
   The Dog shall be able t o locate/indicate two (2) separate stashes of narcotics, one (1) which has been hidden on the exterior and one (1) which has been hidden in the interior, of an automobile. A diversion will also be placed within the search area. For Utah POST certification, this diversion shall be uncirculated currency. The Dog shall be required to sniff the currency, to determine if the Dog exhibits a neutral response or Alerts/Indicates its presence.
5. Business Environment Search
   
   The Dog shall be able to locate/indicate two (2) separate stashes of narcotics which have been hidden in a business establishment or stockroom/storage facility.
   
   
6. Barn-Stall Search
   
   The Dog shall be able to locate/indicate two (2) separate stashes of narcotics which have been hidden in a barn or in animal stalls. For Utah POST certification, this exercise may be substituted with a realistic exercise at the request of the Handler/Department.
   
   
7. Dark Room Search
   
   The Dog shall be able to locate/indicate two (2) separate stashes of narcotics which have been hidden in a totally dark search area such as a cellar, bunker, etc. In this search the only illumination shall be by hand-held flashlight.
   
   
8. Buried Narcotics Search
   
   The Dog shall be able to locate/indicate one (1) stash of narcotics (1000 grams) which has been buried in an 800 square yard field/forest search area. For Utah POST certification, this exercise may be substituted with a realistic exercise at the request of the Handler/Department.

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