Behavior taxonomy

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 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.

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.