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SWGDOG SC5 - Canine Career Field Progression System 

Posted for public comment 1/19/2010 – 3/19/2010. Approved by the membership 3/2/2010. 

Due to departmental policy, state and federal requirements, as well as the specific canine 

discipline, the canine instructor and trainer may perform dual roles as mission, qualifications, 

and resources dictate. The role of the canine instructor may require certification or accreditation 

through successful completion of a formal course of instruction as dictated by their department, 

organization, or jurisdiction. 

Statement of purpose: This document clarifies the roles of the canine handler, canine trainer, 

canine instructor and certifying official in the context of adhering to best practice methods. 

1. CANINE HANDLER : 

A person who has successfully completed a recognized course of canine handling, as outlined 

in this document, in a specific discipline and maintains those abilities through field 

application, maintenance training, scheduled certification, and continuing canine education. 

1.1. Continuing education should include but is not limited to training in the following areas 

of instruction: 

1.1.1. Canine training methodology. 

1.1.2. Normal canine behavior and the Principles of Learning. 

1.1.3. Current canine team tactics and safety. 

1.1.4. Operational utilization knowledge. 

1.1.5. Current law and policies. 

1.1.6. Canine first aid and first responder knowledge. 

1.1.7. Canine preventive medicine programs including illness and disease. 

1.1.8. Reoccurring safety training in all pertinent disciplines (e.g., explosives 

handling, storage, and transportation; narcotics, hazardous materials, dangerous 

environments, and weapons). 

2. CANINE TRAINER: 

A person providing training who has demonstrated through education, training and 

operational experience, extensive skill and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. 

2.1. The canine trainer normally performs the maintenance and proficiency training in the 

field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction. This 

individual has acquired and demonstrated a minimum of the skill set listed below: 

2.1.1. Knowledge of canine husbandry including kenneling, health and maintenance of 

canines. 

2.1.2. The ability to accurately assess the canine’s training progress. 

2.1.3. The ability to accurately analyze and document the canine’s training progress. 

2.1.4. The ability to identify and analyze deficiencies related to canine training. 

2.1.5. Thorough knowledge of problem solving techniques and the ability to 

implement those techniques. 

2.1.6. The ability to formulate an effective training plan and provide positive transfers 

from previous training exercises. 

2.1.7. The ability to analyze documentation and formulate training objectives. 
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2.1.8. The ability to recognize when outside assistance is required. 

2.1.9. The ability to evaluate new and changing training methods. 

2.1.10. The ability to analyze the results of canine studies and use the information to 

develop methods and procedures designed to improve the effectiveness of 

detector dog teams. 

2.2. The canine trainer is responsible for ensuring compliance with animal health 

requirements to prevent the spread of diseases including zoonotic diseases. 

2.3. The canine trainer is accountable for and provides security for a range of materials used 

in training (e.g., narcotics, explosives, hazardous materials and weapons). This includes 

the prevention of loss and/or contamination of the training materials. 

2.4. Continuing education for the canine trainer shall include but not be limited to the 

following: 

2.4.1. Participating in canine certifications under the guidance of a certifying official. 

2.4.2. Attending seminars and courses to expand knowledge and gain a thorough 

understanding of canine behavior and training methodologies. 

2.4.3. Attend reoccurring safety training in all pertinent disciplines to ensure up-todate knowledge of proper handling, storage, transportation and disposal of 

materials used in training (e.g., explosives, narcotics, hazardous materials and 

weapons) as well as operations in dangerous environments. 

3. CANINE INSTRUCTOR:

A person providing instruction who has demonstrated, through education, training and 

operational experience, extensive skill and knowledge in the subject field or discipline.

3.1. The canine instructor normally performs the maintenance and proficiency training in 

the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction. The 

role of the canine instructor may require certification or accreditation by successful 

completion of a formal course of instruction as dictated by their jurisdiction. This 

individual has acquired and demonstrated the skills listed above under Canine Trainer 

section 2. Additional skills needed and duties performed in this position include: 

3.1.1. Instruction and supervision of trainees in classroom work as well as the handson performance phase of detector dog training. Instructors will teach the 

trainees how to effectively train and employ detector dogs in a variety of 

situations designed to meet their operational needs. 

3.1.2. Trainee instruction covering the physical and psychological characteristics of 

their assigned canines, particularly those aspects of animal behavior that have a 

bearing on the training objectives and utilization of the dog. 

3.1.3. The ability to recognize the behavioral traits that make a canine a good 

candidate for becoming a detector dog. This knowledge is critical when 

procuring dogs as potential detector canines. 

3.1.4. Responsibility for the design, development, revision and evaluation of a variety 

of detection training courses and programs. 

3.1.5. Revise course material to include up-to-date information, procedures, 

regulations and technical advances in canine detection. 

3.1.6. Evaluates new and changing methods of detection. 

3.1.7. Prepares course material for ongoing training programs including: 
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3.1.7.1. The planning, research and development of programs. 

3.1.7.2. Identifies the interim and terminal performance objectives. 

3.1.7.3. Develops lesson plans and trainee handouts. 

3.1.7.4. Designs and produces training aids such as video, graphic 

reproductions and documents. 

3.1.8. Continuously evaluates trainee’s performance and counsels them as the need 

requires. 

3.1.9. Constructs and administers evaluations, both written and practical, using them 

as an instructional tool to evaluate the progress of trainees and their assigned 

canines. 

3.1.10. Must attend reoccurring safety training in all pertinent disciplines to ensure upto-date knowledge of proper handling, storage, transportation and disposal of 

materials used in training (e.g., explosives, narcotics, hazardous materials and 

weapons) as well as operations in dangerous environments. 

4. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL:

A person who has been delegated the authority to conduct an evaluation and or sign 

certificates on behalf of an organization or entity, that recognizes a team has been trained to a 

particular standard within the organization.

4.1. The certifying official or designee shall have demonstrated the knowledge and skills as 

may be required by military, federal and state statutes, rules, or regulations and / or 

professional canine organizations Further, those persons would have also demonstrated, 

either in part or whole, those attributes / qualifications as defined above in the sections 

on canine trainer and canine instructor (i.e., sections 2 and 3). Additionally, the 

certifying official or designee will have the following skills, knowledge and abilities: 

4.1.1. A demonstrated knowledge or experience in the discipline for which he or she is 

evaluating others. 

4.1.2. Successful completion of a training process, determined appropriate by the 

entity or organization conferring the authority on the official. The training 

process may include but is not limited to: 

4.1.2.1. Understudy or apprenticeship to someone already qualified in the role 

of certifying official. 

4.1.2.2. Completion of a course of instruction developed by the certifying 

entity. 

4.1.3. As with all the roles defined in this document, it is imperative that a certifying 

official or designee engage in reoccurring safety training in all pertinent 

disciplines to ensure up-to-date knowledge of proper handling, storage, 

transportation and disposal of materials used in training (e.g., explosives, 

narcotics, hazardous materials and weapons) as well as operations in dangerous 

environments. 
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SWGDOG SC 5 Progression System: Handler – Trainer / Instructor – Certifying Official

Certifying Official

A person who has been delegated the authority to 

conduct an evaluation and / or sign certificates on 

behalf of an organization or entity, that 

recognizes a team has been trained to a particular 

standard within the organization. 

Canine Trainer / Instructor

A person providing training/instruction who has 

demonstrated, through education, training and 

operational experience, extensive skill and 

knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This 

person would normally perform the maintenance 

training and proficiency training in the field and 

may train canines in preparation for a formal 

course of instruction. 

Canine Handler 

A person who has successfully completed a recognized 

course of canine handling, as outlined in SC 5, in a 

specific discipline and maintains those abilities through 

field applications, maintenance training, certification 

and continuing canine education.