What describes the behavior of a K9 that remains focused on a known target odor?

Proofing describes the behavior of a K9 that remains focused on a known target odor, as it involves the dog demonstrating the ability to consistently detect and alert to specific scents despite various distractions or changes in the environment. This process is crucial in ensuring that the canine remains reliable in detecting the target odor under real-world conditions, where numerous potential distractions can arise. Proofing helps to solidify the dog's training, making it an essential component for effective narcotics detection work.

In contrast, distraction training emphasizes teaching the dog to ignore non-target scents or distractions, which is a different focus. Reinforcement is about rewarding desired behaviors, but it does not specifically address the demonstration of focus on an odor. Socialization, while important for a dog's overall development, pertains more to the general exposure to different environments and experiences rather than the specific behavior of scent detection.