Behavior taxonomy

Dog assumes and holds a sit position on cue, in front of or beside handler, on flat surface, without additional cues.

Dog assumes and holds a down position on cue, prone with elbows to ground, without additional cues.

Dog assumes and holds a standing position on cue, on all four legs, without moving or shifting into sit or down.

Dog returns to handler on cue from short distance, no formal position required at delivery.

Dog offers sustained visual attention to handler on cue, held through minor environmental variables.

Dog holds heel position at handler's left side, shoulder aligned with handler's leg, on cue, without handler movement.

Dog remains in a declared position (sit, down, stand) with handler present, brief duration (5-15 seconds), no distractions.

Dog walks in proximity to handler on a slack leash without pulling, on cue or in casual movement between exercises.

Dog accepts the placement of a K9 Elements-approved agitation muzzle without avoidance, pawing, or attempts to remove.

Dog transitions between sit, down, and stand positions on cue, in immediate proximity to handler.

Dog engages positively with primary rewards (food or toy) or with bite work depending on discipline. Foundation of dog's willingness to work.

Dog picks up an object with mouth on cue, without excessive mouthing, dropping, or chewing.

Dog carries object in mouth over distance without dropping, mouthing, or repositioning.

Dog delivers carried object directly into handler's hand on cue, without dropping the object first.

Dog offers a bark on handler cue, sustained until released.

Dog engages a bite target (bite pillow or foundational suit target) with a full-mouth grip, holds without regripping.

Dog engages a K9 Elements-approved full bite suit with a calm full-mouth grip on a legitimate bite target (leg, arm, or torso per Universal Targeting Principle).

Dog releases bite target on single command with no re-grip.

Dog signals the location of a hidden decoy through a sustained bark (or handler-declared passive alert) without engagement.

Dog demonstrates recognition of one of the five K9 Elements approved odors (Anise, Clove, Vetiver, Birch, or Myrrh) presented in a K9E-standard scent tin.

Dog recognizes and can discriminate between multiple K9E odors as a single "find this odor" concept.

Dog maintains nose contact with ground/scent trail, working the scent rather than air-scenting or visually tracking.

Dog indicates the source of a scent (article, hide, target) by assuming and holding a passive position (sit, down, or stand per handler declaration).

Dog indicates the source of a scent through an active behavior (bark, paw, stare) per handler-declared style, sustained until released.

Dog engages the tracking scent pad at the start of a track, commits to the scent, and departs in the direction of travel.

Dog holds heel position through a handler-navigated pattern including turns, halts, and pace changes on flat surface with minimal environmental variables.

Heeling pattern executed with the dog wearing a K9 Elements agitation muzzle, without changes to precision or engagement.

Heeling pattern including deliberate handler pace changes (normal, slow, fast) with the dog maintaining position through each transition.

Heeling pattern routed through areas where decoys are moving, vocalizing, or otherwise active. Dog holds heel position and neutrality simultaneously.

Dog holds declared position (sit or down) for 30-60 seconds while handler stands at position or short distance away.

Long stay executed with handler out of the dog's visual field for the full duration.

Long stay executed with the dog muzzled, at any duration, with or without handler present.

During a stay, dog changes positions (e.g., sit → down → stand) on judge or handler cue, then returns to a held position for the remainder of the stay.

Dog ignores food presented actively or passively by a steward while in a working state (heel, stay, or held position).

Dog returns to handler on cue from distance and assumes a front position (sit directly in front of handler, squared, close to handler's body) without additional cue.

From the front position, dog moves to handler's left side (heel position) on cue via either a left-side pivot or a right-side loop, per handler's declared style.

On cue, dog is sent to retrieve a thrown object on flat ground, returns to handler, presents at front, delivers to hand, and finishes.

On cue, dog is sent over a jump to retrieve a thrown object, returns over the jump, presents at front, delivers, and finishes.

Dog leaves handler on cue and moves in a straight line to a designated target (cone, scent flag, or marker) at distance, stops and holds a declared position at target.

Dog is directed to one of two visible targets at distance based on handler's directional cue (verbal, gesture, or both), and goes to the designated target only.

Dog is directed to one of three or more visible targets at distance based on handler's designation, and goes to the designated target only.

Dog changes between sit, down, and stand positions on cue from handler at distance (typically 10 m or more), holds each position until next cue.

Position changes at distance executed while the handler is out of the dog's visual field, cued verbally.

Dog holds a stand position while a steward or judge approaches from designated angles for visual examination without contact, then handler returns.

After examination, dog is recalled to heel and handler presents the completed team to the judge for the trial's formal closure.

Dog navigates through a tunnel obstacle (straight, curved, tarp, or hay bale variant) on cue from handler.

Dog jumps a 24-inch standard jump on cue.

Dog clears a horizontal broad jump obstacle on cue.

Dog jumps through a frame requiring the dog to jump through an opening (not over a bar).

Dog climbs and descends an A-frame or platform obstacle on cue.

Muzzled dog holds a working position (heel or stay) while one or two stewards approach the handler and engage in conversation.

Dog navigates 3-4 obstacles in judge-set sequence on the trial field, called by a steward, without intermediate handler resets.

Dog maintains full-mouth grip while decoy applies minimum 3 stick hits over up to 3 seconds of counter-pressure (padded split-bamboo clatter stick per rulebook §4.3).

Dog maintains full-mouth grip while decoy applies minimum 5 stick hits over up to 5 seconds of counter-pressure, with more dynamic stick handling than L1.

Dog engages target and maintains grip while decoy fires a 9mm blank-fire pistol at close range (2 shots at L1, 3-4 shots at L2).

On single verbal command from handler at distance, dog releases the bite target immediately, no re-grip, transitions to a guard/strike position or handler-cued next behavior.

Muzzled dog engages a decoy in prey-style contact using the muzzle, without inhibited drive, until released.

Muzzled dog engages a decoy actively for a sustained duration (8s at L1, 12+ s at L2/L3), including active decoy threat presentation before engagement.

After a clean out, dog re-engages the bite target on handler cue, achieves a clean full-mouth grip, holds until next out cue. May be repeated in sequence.

Dog engages and maintains grip through decoy's use of an approved fending object (chair, broomstick, jacket, trash can lid, or traffic cone at L1; expanded inventory at L2).

After out, dog holds a focused, ready-to-engage position (dog's choice within trained convention: bark-hold, strike, or watchful stance) directed at the decoy, for judge-set duration.

Dog remains in the trial-supplied vehicle (truck bed, cab, SUV cargo, van) unsecured — no leash, no crate, no barrier — while handler dismounts and moves away, for 15-30 seconds.

Dog heels alongside a compliant decoy (post-engagement) in a focused strike position — intense visual focus on the decoy, close proximity, no engagement — over a designated transport route.

Dog holds a declared position on a K9E-standard place bed (24"×36", 4-8" height, raised edge per §4.8) while decoy activity occurs around the field, for duration until handler cue or autonomous engagement trigger.

Dog systematically searches through 2-3 tents or blinds on cue, alerts on the tent containing a hidden decoy, does not enter without cue.

Upon locating a hidden decoy in a tent or blind, dog holds position at tent opening and sustains bark until handler arrives, without entering to engage.

In a low-speed engagement scenario, dog reads the situation and self-selects a legitimate bite target (leg, arm, torso) without decoy presenting a target.

Dog maintains bite on engaged decoy while a second decoy is active nearby (vocalizing, prey movement, gestures) without breaking grip to engage the distracting decoy.

During an engagement with Decoy 1, when Decoy 2 emerges 10 m away with active distraction (vocalization, prey movement), dog holds grip on Decoy 1 and does not break to engage Decoy 2.

Dog commits to the scent trail from the K9E scent pad, departs in the correct direction of travel, and works the track with nose-down commitment.

Dog works a track over the L1 length (approximately 200-400 m) with nose-down commitment, on standard L1 terrain.

Dog works turns in a track, committing to the new direction of travel without over-shoot, cast, or handler cue.

Dog commits to and works a track that has been aged per L1 specifications (aging window defined per §9.2).

Dog commits to and works a colder-scent track aged per L2 or L3 specifications, requiring higher scent commitment and endurance.

Dog encounters an article on the track and offers the handler-declared indication (sit, down, stand, or active alert), sustained until handler retrieves.

When a dog loses the track scent, the dog casts, re-orients, and recommits to the correct direction of travel, with handler support via line management.

Handler manages the long line (15-30 ft per §4.2) with appropriate tension, reads the dog's body language, and provides support without over-cueing.

At track's end, dog locates and indicates the missing person (track layer with K9E branded end marker) via declared indication style.

L2-specific mechanic where a designated "lifeline" article on the track determines whether the team continues or is halted. Dog must indicate the lifeline article per L2 protocol.

Dog commits to the correct track through contamination by other scents (other people, animals, cross-tracks), maintaining scent discrimination.

Dog systematically searches an interior environment (room, building) for hidden odor, working walls, corners, floor, and furnishings per declared pattern.

Dog systematically searches an exterior environment (open ground, fenced area, structural exterior) for hidden odor, adjusting for wind and terrain.

Dog systematically searches vehicles (cars, trucks, vans) for hidden odor, working seams, wheel wells, doors, and interior access points.

Dog systematically searches containers (luggage, boxes, packages) placed in a defined area for hidden odor.

When searching an area that contains no target odor (a "blank" area), dog does not offer an indication, does not false-alert, and completes the search per declared pattern.

Dog searches for multiple K9E odors present in the same area, indicating each source distinctly, without confusing one odor for another.

Handler observes the dog's indication and calls the hide to the judge with appropriate confidence, per K9E handler-call protocol.

At the source of odor, dog assumes and sustains a passive indication (sit or down per declared style) until released.

Dog sustains motivated, systematic search behavior across all assigned search areas, without giving up in blank areas or losing intensity late in the routine.

Dog maintains commitment to searching for the target odor when environmental distractions (mechanical noise, secondary scents, movement) are present in the search area.

In any working state (heel, stay, retrieve, position at distance), dog holds focus on the task while decoys are active in the field, without breaking task to engage or react to decoy activity.

Composite: muzzled heeling pattern, muzzle stability under steward approach, long stay under muzzle, food refusal, and Phase 1 decoy neutrality — sequenced through a populated field with two active decoys.

Composite: heel to search area with release cue, independent search of designated area for handler-scented article among distractors, article retrieve, formal delivery to handler, and Phase 2 decoy neutrality.

Composite: tunnel navigation, jump, send-away to target, two-target directional discrimination, change of position at distance, and Phase 3 decoy neutrality — sequenced across the obstacle area.

Composite: retrieve on flat, retrieve over jump, final stand for examination, report-off, and Phase 4 decoy neutrality — closing sequence of the OB routine.

L1 OB phases integrated into a continuous routine on a field with 3 decoys active throughout, judge-ordered phase sequence announced at check-in, added obstacle inventory (3-4 from L2 list), expanded decoy activity from L2 Decoy Activity Menu.

Composite: 50m send to charging decoy, high-speed engagement with presented target, bite under 2 gunshots, minimum 3 stick hits over up to 3 seconds, single-command out, guard/strike position hold, and scenario control line.

Composite: dog unsecured in trial vehicle, vehicle stay (15-20 sec) while handler dismounts, dog sent on cue, muzzled engagement of decoy (8-second minimum) with sustained prey-style fight, clean recall, and scenario control line.

Composite: 2-tent search, bark alert at each hidden decoy, engagement with fending object management, out, guard position, prisoner transport of first decoy to designated location, then repeat with second engagement.

Composite: dog on place bed, handler at distance, autonomous engagement of a threat approaching the place bed (no handler cue required — see rulebook §8.2 Independent Threat Engagement), out, place-hold return.

L1 Scenario 1 escalated: 3-4 gunshots, minimum 5 stick hits over 5 seconds, possible second decoy emergence with active distraction during fight (target commitment under provocation).

L1 Scenario 2 escalated: 25-30 second vehicle stay, D2 (target decoy) presents active threat (raised hands, posturing, verbal challenges) before transitioning to prey-style fight, 3 decoys on field, 12+ second engagement, D1 movement during fight.

L1 Scenario 3 escalated: 3 tents (2 with decoys, 1 blank), self-targeting on emergence (decoy does not present target), 2 different fending objects across engagements, possible smoke for visual obscurement, transport route closer to remaining tents.

L1 Scenario 4 escalated: place bed may be a non-bed object (rug, marked square, tarp), up to 2 approach attempts (first non-engagement, second actual threat), self-targeting, dog must NOT engage non-threat and MUST engage threat.

Composite: place command on object, sustained stay with decoy neutrality throughout normal activity, autonomous problem-solving to break for engagement when a decoy approaches with intent to take the guarded object, appropriate engagement, out on stop of fight, autonomous return to guard.

Dog is at a declared post (place bed, marked spot, or designated location), handler at distance and silent. Dog reads threat approach, engages without cue, delivers 5+ stick hits, outs cleanly, and returns to post autonomously for sustained guard duration.

Composite: scent-pad start, sustained tracking over L1 distance and turns, article indication at multiple articles along the track, missing-person location and indication at track end, sustained handler skill and safety preparedness throughout.

L1 track escalated: colder scent, additional turns and complexity, lifeline article mechanic, more articles for indication.

L2 track further escalated: 6-10 turns, extended distance, unknown article count, contaminated tracks, elite-level scent commitment.

Composite: search across four environments (interior, exterior, vehicle, container) for a single K9E odor, systematic pattern in each, passive indications at each hide, handler-call mechanic, blank hide handling as needed.

L1 detection escalated: multi-odor sets, added distractions from L2 DET Distraction Inventory, more sophisticated hide placements, aggregated line item scoring per §3.5.

L2 detection further escalated: unknown hide counts, two blank areas, buried hides, multi-odor with elite-level discrimination.

Muzzled heeling pattern with minimum 4 turns and 2 halts; pace change required. Tests muzzled control and precision at the L3 standard.

Un-muzzled heeling pattern routed through a decoy provocation zone; tests both heeling precision and decoy neutrality simultaneously.

1-2 minute long stay (judge sets duration within range), three positions tested across the stay, handler out of visual field.

Position changes at 10+ m distance, multiple positions in sequence, executed with handler out of dog's visual field.

Long-send courageous engagement with a presented target; 5+ stick hits; single-command out. Highest-power engagement in L3 EN.

Blind entry, ambush, or place-bed engagement; dog reads situation and self-targets per Universal Targeting Principle; 5+ stick hits; single-command out.

Active prey-style engagement under muzzle; 12+ second sustained drive; clean release on recall.

Handler-cued sequential bites: out cleanly, re-engage on cue, out again cleanly. Proofs the off-button under repeated provocation.

Handler-scented article among 3+ distractors (some scented by other people); scent work calibrated to L2 discrimination standard; dog identifies handler's article via passive indication.

3 tents minimum, including possible blank tent; dog hunts independently, alerts on tent with decoy, does not false-alert on blank.

Multiple objects in field; dog retrieves the cued object (handler cues by direction, scent, or color per handler training) and ignores others.

Multi-approach scenario where dog must engage actual threat and NOT engage non-threat, per own reading of decoy behavior.

Cone, scent flag, or marker-only target at 25+ meters; clean stop or down at target on cue.

Multiple targets at distance; handler designates one; dog goes to designated target only.

Dog at post (place bed, marked spot, or designated location); handler at distance and silent; dog reads and engages threat without cue.

After autonomous engagement (4.3), dog outs and returns to post without handler cue; sustained guard for judge-set duration (3-15 sec).

Dog held in vehicle while handler departs; handler-controlled exit on cue.

Dog in close proximity to compliant decoy; intent focus; no break to engage.

Judge approaches at close proximity; no contact; multiple angles of visual examination; dog holds composure.

Aggregate scoring across all routine moments where decoys are not the focus. Always present in both L3 EN legs as a throughline scoring evaluation, judged via aggregated observation across the leg's other behaviors.