Testing Information

Whether you're a seasoned handler or just getting started, testing is a valuable step in your journey. It’s not just about passing, it’s about learning, improving, and progressing.

Certifying your tracking dog through the American Blood Trackers Association is more than just earning a title, it's a mark of dedication, skill, and credibility.

• Proven Performance: Certification provides objective validation that your dog can successfully track and recover wounded game under realistic conditions. It’s a benchmark of your dog’s training and your handling skills.

• Expert Evaluation: Each test is observed by a certified judge with real-world tracking experience. Judges don’t just score your dog’s performance, they offer valuable feedback, training tips, and practical advice to help you and your dog grow as a team.

• Builds Trust: Whether you’re working with hunters, landowners, or wildlife professionals, certification demonstrates your commitment to ethical recovery and responsible tracking.

• Improves Skills: Preparing for testing helps handlers sharpen their techniques, better understand their dog’s signals, and gain deeper insight into blood tracking strategies.

• Access to Opportunities: Certified trackers are more likely to be recommended for tracking calls and may qualify for participation in advanced workshops, events, or volunteer recovery programs.

• Supports the Community: Each certified dog helps raise the standard for tracking work across the country, promoting better outcomes for game recovery and conservation.

 Each dog must begin with the Started level test, and handlers are required to progress through each level in order.