What are the two primary parts of a K9 search?

The two primary parts of a K9 search are searching and indicating. These components are essential for a successful K9 operation. During the searching phase, the dog uses its keen sense of smell to scan an area for narcotics or other substances. This is where the K9 utilizes its training to identify the scent it has been trained to detect. Once the dog detects the scent, the indicating phase begins, where the dog communicates to the handler that a substance has been found, often through a specific behavior such as sitting, staying, or scratching at the source of the scent.

While sniffing and tracking or sniffing and pinpointing may seem relevant, they do not accurately define the crucial aspects of a K9's operational procedure. The terms "alerting" and "indicating" are closely related, but indicating is the more precise term used to describe how the dog confirms the presence of a substance to the handler. Thus, focusing on the broader concepts of searching and indicating encapsulates the K9's role in narcotics detection more effectively.