Aggression Control Test

Aggression/Apprehension Control Test    (updated 01/01/2025)

The Aggression/Apprehension Control Test is a comprehensive evaluation of the Team’s control and courage under situations simulating on-duty encounters.

The Master Trainer/Trainer will check and approve all equipment prior to the test, as well as attempt to assess the capability of the Team and decoy. At any time the Master Trainer can terminate the test for equipment deficiency, decoy inexperience or. any other cause deemed to be of significant safety concern to the handlers, by-standers or K-9s.

A bite suit, sleeve or hidden sleeve shall be used by the decoy, per the Master Trainer’s instructions.

Aggression Certification test shall be completed OFF LEAD, with no physical correction or contact from the handler

Handlers may use whatever “duty gear” on a K9 that is used, approved or mandated by his/her Department or Employer; with the approval of the Master Trainer. However, NO “external stimulus” will be allowed during any phase of the Aggression Control Test.

Gun fire

At the start of the test the handler will fire one shot from a blank gun (Decoy does not have to be visible).  K9 is to remain neutral to gun fire and show no aggression towards handler or anyone else in the area.

False Start

K9 will be placed in a down or sit/stay stance. The decoy will proceed quickly away from the team, with no apprehension from the K9 (distance 25-50′).

Call Out/Recall

The handler will then “send” the K9 and terminate (call out) the send at a distance of approximately one half of the total distance. The “send” can be terminated by a sit, down or a recall. There can be no contact between the decoy and the K9. The handler will bring the K9 to a heel position by either recalling the K9 to a heel, or proceed to the downed K9 and command the K9 into a heel position.

Apprehension

The K9 will be deployed for the apprehension, at a distance of not less than 100 feet, with the decoy firing 1 shot after the K9 leaves the handler. Once the apprehension is made, upon command from the Master Trainer, the K9 shall be called out off the apprehension and commanded to a sit, down or heel position. Upon direction of the Master Trainer, the handler shall approach the decoy for a weapon pat-down.

It shall be the discretion of the Master Trainer to evaluate a weak or excessively ineffective bite/apprehension

ANY contact between the K9 and decoy, after the apprehension callout, shall result in failure.

ANY contact between the K9 and Master Trainer will result in failure.

The Aggression certification will remain in effect for two (2) years as long as a good standing member with NAPCH and the Team remains intact..