The K9 Elements Taxonomy
Behavior taxonomy
Every behavior in the K9 Elements curriculum — the building blocks (Foundation), the trained-and-proofed skills (Applied), and the composite trial exercises (Integrated).
132 behaviors · 25 Foundation · 66 Applied · 41 Integrated
Foundation
Atomic single-skill behaviors trainable in isolation; the building blocks of every other behavior.
- F-22 Nose-down scent commitment TrackingContent coming
Dog maintains nose contact with ground/scent trail, working the scent rather than air-scenting or visually tracking.
EntryL1L2L3 - F-25 Scent pad start commitment TrackingContent coming
Dog engages the tracking scent pad at the start of a track, commits to the scent, and departs in the direction of travel.
L1L2L3
Applied
Chained, proofed, or duration-extended single-domain behaviors; the training team’s daily focus.
- A-45 Track from scent pad TrackingContent coming
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.
L1L2L3 - A-46 Track over L1 distance (200-400m) TrackingContent coming
Dog works a track over the L1 length (approximately 200-400 m) with nose-down commitment, on standard L1 terrain.
L1 - A-47 Track with 2-3 turns TrackingContent coming
Dog works turns in a track, committing to the new direction of travel without over-shoot, cast, or handler cue.
L1L2L3 - A-48 Aged track (L1 aging) TrackingContent coming
Dog commits to and works a track that has been aged per L1 specifications (aging window defined per §9.2).
L1 - A-49 Aged track (L2/L3 aging) TrackingContent coming
Dog commits to and works a colder-scent track aged per L2 or L3 specifications, requiring higher scent commitment and endurance.
L2L3 - A-50 Article indication on track TrackingContent coming
Dog encounters an article on the track and offers the handler-declared indication (sit, down, stand, or active alert), sustained until handler retrieves.
L1L2L3 - A-51 Recovery from lost track TrackingContent coming
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.
L1L2L3 - A-52 Handler line management TrackingContent coming
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.
L1L2L3 - A-53 Missing person indication TrackingContent coming
At track's end, dog locates and indicates the missing person (track layer with K9E branded end marker) via declared indication style.
L1L2L3 - A-54 Lifeline article mechanic (L2) TrackingContent coming
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.
L2 - A-55 Track under contamination (L3) TrackingContent coming
Dog commits to the correct track through contamination by other scents (other people, animals, cross-tracks), maintaining scent discrimination.
L3
Integrated
Composite behaviors combining multiple Applied behaviors into a scenario or routine; the actual competition test units.
- I-16 L1 TRK: The Lost Hiker TrackingContent coming
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 - I-17 L2 TRK: The Evader TrackingContent coming
L1 track escalated: colder scent, additional turns and complexity, lifeline article mechanic, more articles for indication.
L2 - I-18 L3 TRK: Elite Tracking TrackingContent coming
L2 track further escalated: 6-10 turns, extended distance, unknown article count, contaminated tracks, elite-level scent commitment.
L3