Does ASCT train Police dogs?

Yes, through our certified Instructors.

Will ASCT testify for me in court?

We offer full legal services to our training handlers and agencies.

Is ASCT an association or vendor?

ASCT is an organization but is closer to an association then a vendor (if you refer to the dictionary). We operate under the certification board but the group itself (members) do have considerable input to how we operate. In fact, our certified members are the reason this website was established. They asked for it and got it. We do not claim nonprofit exemptions.

How does ASCT work?

We are operated under a certification board of four members who are placed in position by the president. However, one such board member must be a non-associated legal expert. In ther words - an attorney to audit the system. Typically, we have the president, another Senior Master Instructor, two attorneys (one in liability audit for K9 teams - the other for auditing of the program), and often an underclass certified member (representing the masses on the street). We also include a CPA to audit the financial basis of the organization but he doesn't sit on the board.

What about elections?

Because we are an organization and not a specific association, we do not elect leaders by way of election. Instead, we preserve the continuity of the organization and dedication to our overall equal opportunity goal by having the board audit the president each year. This is a strict policy where the board members review the overall balance of the organization and set specific guidelines for the president during the upcoming year. By our policy, if those guidelines are not met - the board MUST replace the president. Therefore this eliminates favoratism and bias. If a new president is required - interviews with ASCT and non-ASCT, qualified, applicants are reviewed.

Does ASCT sell training?

Just like associations, ASCT sponsors schools and clinics that are taught by different, certified instructors. The instructors reap the financial gain for this action not ASCT.

Why the vendor topic on the website?

We basically operate as: You contact ASCT and want to buy a dog and training. Whomever is monitoring the certboard will connect you to the nearest or most available / qualified instructor to provide that service. Then, the individual instructior is advised and mails a brochure or such. It's our way of helping our trainers.

Do handlers have to attend our schools in order to certify?

No. Anyone can certify by meeting the standards.

Why are ASCT training techniques the best?

We have some amazing techniques and research information and it is often - not always - but often, copied once the information gets out. Many trainers read or hear some technical info. and use it but we often were the ones who payed for the information to be tested. We're not talking about dog training here but rather truly technical information regarding science, behavior and such.

What are the ASCT guarantees?

If you are not happy, you will get a refund or we'll make it right. It's your choice. Of course this only will apply to those contracts written and guaranteed by ASCT so check with your Instructor to see if he or she meets ASCT specified guarantees or supplies his own.

What exactly is ASCT's connection with universities?

ASCT has research affiliated individuals within a few excellent universities. This connection allows us to contract (pay for) specific facilities and staff to complete research for K9 development and technical information. Who are those individuals? And what universities are used? We keep that information locked away and only available to the certification board and Instructors for the simple reason that we do not want other organizations to...let's say borrow...our connections to these colleges. There aren't enough to go around and we are a bit stingy about them.