Phase A - Tracking
The track will be 350-400 paces
long, at least 20 min. old, and be laid by you, the handler. You may
track with or without a 10 meter tracking lead. Both will be scored
identically. Maximum point score is 100, with a min. of 70 to pass.
This phase starts with a temperament test by
the overseeing judge to assure the dog's mental soundness. When
approached closely on a loose leash, the dog should not act shyly or
aggressively.
The track will include 2 articles. Prior to
laying your track, you must show your articles to the judge to be
approved. Objects can be made of most any material but should be no
larger than a wallet and be of similar color to the surrounding terrain.
So called search packages are not to be used in trial, however wallets,
eyeglasses cases, etc. can be used. When laying your track, you must
take care to place items ON the track and not beside the track. When
placing an article, you must not break your stride. Do not stop or even
hesitate. You may not scuff the ground or leave any other indication of
articles. During trial your dog must indicate articles immediately upon
finding one. He may "pick up" (convincingly stop, stand, sit,
or pick up the article, or return it to the handler) OR "point
out" the dog must lie, sit or stay) to do both is faulty.
During the laying of the track, the dog must be out
of sight. You must mark the start of the track with a flag or other
object by inserting it into the ground just to the left of your starting
point. Tracks will be on grass, sod, or plowed earth, The judge, by
taking into consideration the existing terrain, will determine the
course of the track but should include three legs with two 90 degree
turns.
At the start of the track you will remain
at the starting point for some time, then proceed in the direction as
indicated by the judge. Your first article should be placed in the
middle of the first or second leg. The second article is to be
deposited at the end of the track. when reaching the end, proceed a few
paces straight ahead and move away from the track.
After the track has aged for at least 20
minutes, report to the judge with your dog, and tell him how your
dog will indicate articles. You can then proceed to the start of the
track. At the start, the dog must be given sufficient time to absorb the
scent. The dog must begin quietly and pick up the scent with a deep
nose. As soon as the dog begins to track, you must stop and let the
length of the 10 meter leash slip through your hands. You can now follow
your dog at the distance of 10 meters, whether tracking with a lead or
without. Once your dog has indicated an article, you may drop the leash
to approach your dog and pick up the article. Hold it high above your
head to show the judge. The tracking leash is loosely held as the
dog and handler continue on the track. again, wait for the 10 meter
distance to come between you and your dog) The articles are
presented to the presiding judge after completion of the track. When two
dogs have completed their track, the judge, in the presence of the
handler and his dog, and any others who care to listen, will give a
brief critique of the performance and announce the scores. The primary
purpose of this is education, the judge will often not only point
why he has taken points away, but go on to suggest improvements in
training approach to correct the problems. Teaching is in essence part
of the judge's role. A trial conducted by a good judge is an
educational experience as well.
A faulty start, excessive circling on corners, continued praise, faulty
picking up or pointing of the articles, dropping articles, pronounced
quartering, high nose, urinating or defecating on the track, or hunting
mice, etc. will be penalized. Prior to tracking, and during the
entire tracking phase, all force or pressure is to be avoided.
Phase B- Obedience
Exercises should show the
bond between the handler/dog team. The dog should show a willingness to
work and pure joy to be out on the field. The obedience exercises are
done in groups of two dogs/handlers. Both teams report to the judge and
state their name and their dogs name. The judge then directs each team
to their appropriate locations. While one team is performing the heeling
exercises, the other team is doing the long down. Any exercises on leash
should be done with a loose lead. The leash is to be held in the left
hand. Attach leash to the dead ring of a choke (fur saver) type collar.
Leather and prong collars are not permitted.
Heeling on leash (15 points) Singly and within a
group.
The dog must stay close and keep his shoulder blades
"level" with the handlers' knees. The dog must not forge
ahead, move to the side or lag to the rear. Upon a halt the dog must, on
his own, go to the sitting position. The only voice command given should
be at the start of exercise and when changing paces.
Starting from the basic heeling position, dog sitting at
your left side) give one voice command of heel. (the dog should
willingly follow at this time) proceed forward in a straight
line for 40-50 paces without stopping. Do a complete turnabout and come
back 10-15 paces. Give the heal command and without hesitation do a
running heel for 10-15 paces followed by a slow heel of 10-15
paces. Return to a normal pace for 10-15 more paces. The
"fuss" or "heel" command can be given at the
beginning of each change of pace. You then make a right turn, heel 20
paces, make another right turn, heel 20 paces, make an about turn, heel
10-15 paces and halt. Heel forward 10-15 more paces and make a left
turn. You can then proceed directly to the group. The judge will
direct the handler through a group of at least 4 people, who are
expected to mingle about. You must make at least 1 left turn and 1 right
turn around at least 2 people and halt close to one of the group. (This
is basically a figure 8.) You then leave the group, halt (handler
may praise dog) and remove the leash
Heeling off leash (15 points)
Singly and within a group. When requested by the judge, the leash will
be removed while in the basic position. The handler moves through the
group with the dog freely heeling. After demonstrating at least one
halt, the handler and dog leave the group and perform the heeling
exercises that were performed on leash. While the dog and handler are
performing the off-leash exercises, at least 2 gun shots (6 - 9 mm) are
to be fired (not while moving in the group) and the dog must remain
indifferent to the noise. Special emphasis is placed on indifference to
the gun. If the judge deems the dog to be insecure or should the dog run
from the shot, the judge may excuse the dog from further participation.
Sit (10 points)
From the basic heeling position the handler and free heeling dog proceed
in a straight line. After at least ten paces, the handler issues the
voice command to sit - the dog should quickly come to a sit position.
The handler shall continue for at least 30 paces without interrupting
pace or direction, then stop and turn around to face the dog. At the
direction of the judge, the handler returns to the right side of the
dog.
Down With Recall (10 points)
From the basic heeling position the handler and free heeling dog proceed
in a straight line. After at least ten paces, the handler issues the
voice command to down - the dog should quickly come to a down position.
The handler shall continue for at least 30 paces without interrupting
pace or direction, then stop and turn around to face the dog. At the
direction of the judge, the handler shall recall the dog. The dog should
come to the handler with a spirited and swift motion and sit close in
front. Upon a "heel" command, the dog should quickly come to a
sit position next to the handler.
Go Ahead and Down - 10 Points
When requested by the judge, the handler and freely heeling dog proceed
a few paces in the designated direction. The command to "go
out" should be executed by simultaneously stopping and lifting the
arm to indicate direction. The dog must move at a fast pace at least 25
paces. The dog must lay down quickly upon voice command. At the request
of the judge, the handler proceeds to pick up the dog by moving to the
right side of the dog, commanding the dog to sit, and then putting on
the leash.
Long Down (10 Points) Under Distraction
Prior to the start of the obedience exercises of another dog, the
handler commands the dog into a down position at a spot designated by
the judge. The handler moves approximately 40 paces away within sight of
the dog. The handler remains quiet with his back to the dog. The dog
must remain in the down position without additional influences from the
handler until the other dog concludes the first 6 exercises. The finish
will be like the Go Ahead and Down, above
Retrieving an Article belonging to the Handler on Level
Ground - 10 Points
The dog sitting freely next to the handler should, when given the voice
command, quickly move toward the article tossed approximately 10 paces
away. The dog must immediately and quickly bring the article back to the
handler, and sit close in front. The dog must hold the article until,
after a brief pause, the handler issues the command to let go. After the
command to heel, the dog should come quickly to the heel position. In
place of an article belonging to the handler, a dumbbell can be used --
however, balls, toys, etc. are not considered personal articles.
Retrieving an Article belonging to the Handler over a 1
Meter High and 1.5 Meter Wide Brush Hurdle - 15 Points
The handler assumes a position at an acceptable distance in front of the
hurdle while the dog sits freely next to the handler. The article is
tossed over the hurdle. Upon voice command, the dog shall clear the
hurdle without touching it, pick up the article, return over the jump
and sit closely in front of the handler. The article must be held by the
dog until the handler removes it with the command to let go.
Phase C- protection
Search for the Helper - 5 Points
The helper is hidden in a position 40 paces away so that the dog must
make searching passes to the right and left, or vice versa. The handler
and dog must be out of sight when the helper moves into the hiding
place. At the request of the judge, the handler releases the dog and
gives the command to search towards the empty hiding place, then towards
the helper. The command "here" and the dog's name may be used.
Hold and Bark - 10 Points
When the dog reaches the helper it should immediately and continuously
bark. The dog should not bother the helper by gripping or bumping. The
handler is to remain at a distance of approximately 25 paces. When the
judge indicates, the handler will pick up the dog and hold it securely
so that the helper can leave the hiding place.
Attack - 35 Points
A helper is directed to proceed to another hiding place at least 50
paces away. Upon directions from the judge, the handler will proceed
with a free heeling dog towards the hiding place. The handler is now
attacked from the front by the helper, who suddenly comes out of the
hiding place. No contact is permitted between the handler and helper.
The dog must immediately attack and demonstrate a firm grip. The dog
will be struck with a flexible, padded stick -- two blows will be given
on the flanks, thighs, or withers. Encouragement may be given via vocal
command. When requested by the judge, the helper stops the aggression.
The dog must independently release, or release his grip upon receiving
the command to "out". After receiving the command from the
judge, the handler will hold the dog by the collar.
Pursuit and Hold - 50 Points
The helper makes threatening gestures and runs away. After he has gone
about 50 paces, the handler sends the dog toward the helper and remains
standing still. The judge will instruct the helper to turn around and
run toward the dog when the dog is about 30 paces away. Using aggressive
and threatening motions, the helper will run toward the dog. When the
dog has taken a firm grip, the helper will press the dog briefly without
applying the stick, then cease resistance. The dog must release, either
independently, or after receiving the command to "out". After
the dog has let go, the handler will remain standing without influencing
the dog. Upon a signal from the judge, the handler will approach the dog
and helper at a normal pace. The handler will order the helper to step
back from the dog, and order the dog to lay down. The helper will be
searched and disarmed before transport to the judge. The dog will be on
leash during transport. The handler will leave the area with the dog on
leash.
The fighting drive, including courage and hardness, is to be scrutinized
during the entire protection phase. This will be rated as pronounced,
sufficient, or insufficient.
Only energetic fighting and a firm grip will allow a full score. A dog
that does not release after one command to let go, or who is not under
control of the handler, or who fails any exercise of the protection
phase cannot pass the test. If a dog fails a single exercise, it will be
excused from the remainder of the phase. No deductions are made for a
dog that alertly circles the helper.
Titles
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