Basic Canine Requirements.html Basic Member Requirements.html standards.htm

                To Return to Website, click on "Standards"

Basic Canine Requirements and Checklist. The following requirements apply to all canine members of CLSAR and must be completed before a handler/canine team will receive operational status.


Obedience/Behavior - Complete the following:

  1. AKC Canine Good Citizen Test: Information regarding the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test may be obtained at www.akc.org/events/cgc/.

  2. Crowded Vehicle Test: The dog and handler will load into the back of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, along with at least two other people and two other dogs. The vehicle will then be driven for a distance of at least one mile during which time the dog must not display aggressive or uncontrolled behavior.

  3. Canine Walk-By: The dog will be tied to a stationary point on a 6-foot lead. Another handler, with a dog at heel, will walk within 10 feet of the point where the dog is tied. The dog will show no aggressive behavior.

  4. Sit/Down Stay: The dog will remain in place (sitting or in a down) without correction for a minimum of five minutes with the handler a minimum of 50 feet away. The dog will remain in place even if people or other dogs are present and moving around the dog. The dog will not be tied.

  5. Emergency stop: The handler must be able to stop the dog while it is in motion.


Agility – Complete the following:

  1. Jump: The dog will jump onto an object, such as the tailgate of a pickup truck or an elevated platform, having a minimum height of 2.5 feet.

  2. Traverse: The dog will walk across a board that is at least 12 feet long, no more than 12 inches wide, and is at least 3 feet above the ground.

  3. Tunnel: The dog will go through a 36" diameter passageway at least 8 feet long.


The dog will perform all tests physically unaided.


Unique situations – Complete the following:

  1. Steam/Pond Crossing: Demonstrate the ability to cross a stream or pond safely under voice command.

  2. ATV: Calmly and quietly ride in/on an ATV or similar vehicle with assistance of handler.

  3. Aircraft: Calmly and quietly ride in an aircraft with handler.

  4. Watercraft: Calmly and quietly ride in a watercraft with handler.

  5. Cattle: Demonstrate the ability to work around cattle.

  6. Horses: Demonstrate the ability to work around horses.


Indication / Refind – Complete the following:

  1. Demonstrate a known audible/physical/visual indication. The indication should be clear and not likely to be missed or mistaken by the handler. Handler should be able to describe indication.

  2. Perform a refind*. The canine should indicate and then return, with the handler, all the way back to the subject.