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International DPO Rules
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DPO is an abbreviation for the German word "Diensthundpruefung" which, translated into English is "Service Dog Examination." In the German language, the term Service Dog means the same as the English term Patrol Dog. The DPO has been used for over 50 years as a performance standard for federal, state, and military agencies worldwide.

DPO-1

General Information

The skills favorable for successful performance in the DPO-1 functions are recognized within three categories:
1. Tracking
2. Obedience-Agility
3. Apprehension.
For certification purposes, Scentwork skills shall be considered optional. The Dog can be successfully trained to an appropriate skill level by a qualified Patrol Dog Handler or Instructor. The competency can then be evaluated and declared by a qualified Patrol Dog Judge.

For competition purposes, the listed exercises are compulsory.

The following are notable points:
1. No cross track is laid in the Tracking exercise;
2. All Obedience and Agility exercises are performed off leash.
Performance Standards
1. Tracking
  
  The Dog shall follow the steps of a person along a track that is 400-600 paces in length, having two 90 degree turns, and aged a minimum of 30 minutes. Two items which have been permeated with the tracklayer's scent shall be placed along the route. One item shall be on the second leg and the other shall be at the end of the track. The Dog shall indicate the location of these items as it encounters them.
2. Obedience-Agility
  1. Heeling, Behavior in Public, and Gunsureness
    
    Prior to presenting him/herself for the exercise, the Handler shall stow the leash out of sight. The Dog shall heel off-leash beside its Handler through a series of normal, slow, and fast paces. During each pace the Handler shall make right-, left-, and about-turns. Next, the Handler shall walk in a straight line and at intervals of at least 10 paces s/he shall command the Dog to sit, stand, and down. As s/he gives each command s/he shall also halt. Next, the Dog shall heel beside its Handler as s/he walks in serpentine fashion through a group of at least three persons. The group shall be walking slowly and parallel to each other. At some point, the Handler shall halt beside one of the persons such that the Dog is immediately next to an individual. When the Handler halts, the group shall halt also. The Dog shall show no unusual attention to the person beside whom it is sitting. The Dog shall then heel beside its Handler as s/he exits the group and walks away. At a distance of about 50 feet the Handler shall turn around and begin walking back toward the group. At this point two simulated gunshots shall be discharged by a group member. This shall be done discreetly, with the blast aimed at the ground. The Dog shall remain under control as this occurs.
  2. Stand-Motion and Down
    
    The Dog shall heel beside its Handler in a straight line. After a few steps the Handler shall command the Dog to stand. The Handler shall continue forward, without breaking stride, for at least twenty paces. S/he shall then stop, turn, and face the Dog. After a few moments, the Dog shall be commanded to assume a down position. After a few moments, the Handler shall return to the Dog. It shall remain in the down position until commanded to sit, at a heel position.
  3. Retrieving an Object
    
    The Handler shall obtain an object and hold it in his/her hand as s/he and the Dog assume a heel position. The Dog shall remain in position as the Handler tosses the object a moderate distance in front. After a short pause, the Dog shall be commanded to retrieve the object. The Dog shall respond and present the object in a front position. When commanded, the Dog shall release it, and go to a heel position.
  4. Jumping an Obstacle
    
    The Handler and Dog shall assume a heel position at an appropriate distance from an obstacle that is at least 39 inches high. The Dog shall be commanded to jump over the obstacle and then stand in place. After a pause, the Handler shall walk to the Dog and command it to heel, without breaking stride. The Handler shall then walk away from the obstacle and halt.
  5. Climbing and Retrieving
    
    The Handler shall obtain an object and hold it as s/he and the Dog assume a position in front of a wall. The wall shall be inclined and at least five feet high. The Dog shall remain in position as the Handler tosses the object over the wall. When commanded, the Dog shall climb the wall. As the Dog descends, it shall be commanded to retrieve the object. It shall climb back over the wall with the object, and then present it in front of the Handler. On command, the Dog shall relinquish the object. After a pause, it shall then be commanded to assume a heel position.
  6. Long Down with Distraction The Handler shall place the Dog in a down position as instructed by the evaluator. S/he shall then leave the Dog and walk a distance of about 50 paces, remaining in the Dog's field of vision. The Handler shall stand with the back to the Dog while another Dog goes through exercises 1-4 listed above. The Dog shall remain calmly in position until the Handler returns and commands the Dog to sit in a heel position.
3. Apprehension
  1. Suspect Search
    
    The Handler shall position the Dog on the boundary of a predetermined search area. The Dog shall be directed to search systematically from side-to-side. The Handler shall move along the center line of the search area in a tactical manner. While in the search area, the Dog shall encounter an innocent person who happens to be there totally by accident. The Dog shall respond to the person's submissive behavior by detaining him/her without physical contact. The person shall be absolutely submissive during this encounter. When the Handler arrives, the Dog shall be commanded to assume a backup position as the Handler conducts a frisk of the person, searches the location, and dismisses him/her.
  2. Surveillance and Apprehension
    
    The Handler and Dog shall assume a surveillance position at a predetermined location. The Dog shall remain calm and alert. A person representing a criminal suspect shall appear about 50-80 yards away. The Dog shall remain quiet as the Handler issues a Departmental warning. The person shall flee and the Handler shall send the Dog to apprehend. The suspect shall stop and face the Dog submissively when it is about 30 yards away. It shall be evident the person is surrendering. When the Dog arrives it shall detain the suspect without physical contact. When the Handler arrives s/he shall command the Dog to assume a backup position. It shall now remain quiet and alert, ready to engage the suspect if necessary, while the Handler frisks the suspect and places him in custody. The Dog shall heel beside its Handler as s/he escorts the suspect to the evaluator for remanding.
  3. Handler Defense and Apprehension
    
    The Handler and Dog shall heel along a predetermined route. A person shall emerge from a hiding place and attempt to assault the Handler. The Dog shall defend its Handler without hesitation by engaging in strong combat. The perpetrator shall be armed with a simulated weapon such as a stick. At some point during the combat s/he shall strike the Dog twice sharply on the less sensitive parts of its body. Subsequent to this, the assailant shall stop and be submissive. At this point the Handler shall command the Dog to release its grip. At this point the Dog shall remain alert and quiet while the Handler conducts a frisk and places the individual in custody. The Dog shall then heel beside its Handler as s/he escorts the individual to the evaluator for remanding.

DPO-2

General Information

The skills favorable for successful deployment of an Intermediate Patrol Dog are recognized within three categories:
1. Tracking
2. Obedience-Agility
3. Apprehension
For certification purposes, Scentwork skills shall be considered optional. The Dog can be successfully trained to an appropriate skill level by a qualified Patrol Dog Handler or Instructor. The competency can then be evaluated and declared by a qualified Patrol Dog Judge.

For competition purposes, the listed exercises are compulsory.

The following are notable points:
1. No cross track is laid in the Tracking exercise;
2. All Obedience and Agility exercises are performed off leash.
Performance Standards
1. Tracking
  
  The Dog shall follow the steps of a person along a track that is 600-800 paces in length, having three 90 degree turns, and aged a minimum of 60 minutes. Four items which have been permeated with the tracklayer's scent shall be placed along the route. Each item shall be at about the midpoint of the first three legs and the last shall be at the end of the track. The Dog shall indicate the location of these items as it encounters them. The items of evidence shall be consistent with those possibly encountered in actual deployments, such as a comb, set of keys, etc.
2. Obedience-Agility
  1. Heeling, Behavior in Public, and Gunsureness
    
    During this exercise the Handler shall place the leash out of sight. The Dog shall heel off-leash beside its Handler through a series of normal, slow, and fast paces. During each pace the Handler shall make right-, left-, and "Quick-" about-turns. Also, during each pace s/he shall command the Dog to sit, stand, and down, respectively. As s/he gives each command s/he shall halt beside the Dog.
    
    Next, the Dog shall heel beside its Handler as s/he walks in serpentine fashion through a group of at least three persons. The group shall be walking slowly and parallel to each other. At some point, the Handler shall halt beside one of the persons such that the Dog is immediately next to an individual. When the Handler halts, the group shall halt also. The Dog shall show no unusual attention to the person beside whom it is sitting. The Dog shall then heel beside its Handler as s/he exits the group and walks away. At a distance of about 50 feet the Handler shall turn around and begin walking back toward the group. When Handler and Dog are about 15 paces away, two simulated gunshots shall be discharged by a group member. This shall be done discreetly, with the blast aimed at the ground. The Dog shall remain under control as this occurs.
  2. Stand-Motion, Down/Sit
    
    The Dog shall heel beside its Handler in a straight line. After about 20 steps the Handler shall command the Dog to stand. The Handler shall continue forward, without breaking stride, for at least twenty paces. S/he shall then stop, turn, and face the Dog. After a few moments, the Dog shall be commanded to assume a down position. After a few more moments the Dog shall be commanded to sit. After a few more moments, the Handler shall return to the Dog. It shall remain in the sit position until commanded to go to the heel position.
  3. Retrieving an Object
    
    The Handler shall obtain an object from the evaluator or another officer and hold it in his/her hand as s/he and the Dog assume a heel position. The Dog shall remain in position as the Handler tosses the object a moderate distance in front. After a short pause, the Dog shall be commanded to retrieve the object. The Dog shall respond and present the object in a front position. When commanded, the Dog shall release it, and go to a heel position.
  4. Jumping an Obstacle
    
    The Handler and Dog shall assume a heel position at an appropriate distance from a metal fence-type obstacle that is at least 39 inches high. The Dog shall be commanded to jump over the obstacle and then stand in place. After a pause, the Handler shall walk to his/her Dog and command it to heel, without breaking his/her stride. The Handler shall then walk away from the obstacle and halt.
  5. Jumping and Retrieving
    
    The Handler shall obtain an object from the evaluator or another officer and hold it in his/her hand as s/he and the Dog assume a heel position in front of an obstacle. This obstacle shall be at least 39 inches high, built to resemble a hedge. The Dog shall remain in position as the Handler tosses the object over the hedge. After a short pause, the Dog shall be commanded to jump over and then to retrieve the object. The Dog shall jump over, retrieve, and jump back over as it presents the object in a front position. When commanded, the Dog shall release it, and upon further command go to a heel position.
  6. Climbing and Standing
    
    The Handler and Dog assume a position in front of a wall. The wall shall be inclined and at least six feet high. When commanded, the Dog shall climb the wall. As the Dog descends, it shall be commanded to stand in position. It shall remain standing until commanded to climb back over the wall. Upon executing the return climb it shall present itself in front of the Handler. After a pause, it shall then be commanded to assume a heel position.
  7. Long Down
    
    All Dogs in the examination shall be evaluated together in this exercise. All Dogs shall be muzzled for safety sake and be placed at least ten yards apart from each other. Each Handler shall place his/her Dog in a down position, parallel to the other Dogs. Handlers shall then leave their Dogs on command from the evaluator and run out of sight for a period of ten minutes. Each Dog shall remain calmly in position until the Handler returns and commands the Dog to sit in a heel position.
3. Apprehension
  1. Suspect Search
    
    The Handler shall position the Dog on the boundary of a predetermined search area. The Dog shall be directed to search systematically. The Handler shall move along the centerline of the search area in a tactical manner. While in the search area, the Dog shall encounter an innocent person who happens to be there totally by accident. The Dog shall respond to the person's submissive behavior by detaining him without physical contact. The person shall be absolutely submissive during this encounter. When the Handler arrives at a distance of at least 10 paces, the Dog shall be commanded to assume a backup position as the Handler conducts a frisk of the person, searches the location, and dismisses him.
  2. Surveillance and Apprehension
    
    The Handler and Dog shall assume a surveillance position. The Dog shall remain calm and alert. A person representing a criminal suspect shall appear about 80-100 yards away. The Dog shall remain quiet as the Handler issues a Departmental warning. The person shall flee and the Handler shall send the Dog to apprehend. The suspect shall stop and face the Dog submissively when it is about 30 yards away. It shall be evident the person is surrendering and s/he shall remain motionless once s/he stops. When the Dog arrives it shall detain the suspect without physical contact. When the Handler arrives at a distance of at least ten paces, s/he shall command the Dog to assume a backup position. It shall now remain quiet and alert, ready to engage the suspect if necessary, while the Handler frisks the suspect and places him in custody. The Dog shall heel beside its Handler as s/he escorts the suspect towards the evaluator for remanding.
  3. Handler Defense
    
    This exercise shall take place during the transport of Surveillance and Apprehension. The Handler and Dog shall be transporting the arrestee along a predetermined route. A seemingly harmless person shall walk between the Handler and arrestee and suddenly attempt to assault the Handler. The Dog shall defend its Handler without hesitation by engaging in strong combat. This "Accomplice" shall be armed with a simulated weapon such as a stick. At some point during the combat s/he shall strike the Dog twice sharply on the less sensitive parts of its body.
  4. Recapture Escapee and Courage Test
    
    During the Handler Defense scenario, the first arrestee takes the opportunity to escape. S/he shall first walk and then run at the point at which the Dog releases the accomplice. The Handler shall now conduct a side transport of the accomplice for at least five steps before deploying the Dog to recapture the escapee. This is only to establish the level of control the Handler has over the Dog. When the Dog is about 40 paces from the escapee, s/he shall turn and charge the Dog. This is to test the Dog's Courage. S/he shall yell, wave his/her arms, and throw small (harmless) objects at the Dog. The Dog shall disregard these actions and engage the escapee intensely. When the Handler and accomplice arrive at a distance of at least 10 paces, the Dog shall be commanded to assume a backup position. The Dog shall heel beside its Handler as s/he escorts the individuals to the evaluator for remanding. To exhibit control, when the Handler remands the arrestees s/he and the Dog shall be positioned immediately between the pair.
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