Discipline A – Tracking

Marked out of 100 points

Audible command “Fetch”

• Keeping to the trail = 80 points = 80
• 3 objects (7 + 7 + 6) = 20 points =20

Trail laid by a stranger, about 800 paces long, at least 60 minutes old, with three objects and four right angles, 10 metre long tracking leash or tracking off the leash. The laying of the trail is supervised by the judge, who takes account of the location of the terrain and the lie of the land. The trails must be laid out differently. It is not acceptable for the bends or the objects on a trail to be set out at regular intervals.

The beginning of the trail must be clearly marked by means of stake driven into the ground to the left of the starting point.

The trail layer approaches from behind, stands to the right of the stake, drives it into the ground and waits on the spot for a moment. After receiving the necessary instructions from the judge he proceeds to lay the trail, setting down, with no change of pace, the first object about 100 paces from the start. The second object is set down about halfway along the second straight or halfway along the third straight. The third object is placed at the end of the trail.

The trail layer walks on in the same direction for another few paces before leaving the trail. The handler may perform the tracking exercise with his dog on a tracking leash or allow the dog to track off the leash. Both methods are authorized and will be judged equally.

The time taken by the dog on the trail may not exceed 20 minutes. After this time the judge will call a halt to the exercise.

Rules of execution

Before laying the trail, the trail layer must show the objects to the judge or the trail supervisor. They must be everyday objects, well impregnated with the scent of the trail layer (having been in his pocket for at least 30 minutes) and be of the following size: 10 cm long, 2 or 3 cm wide and 0.5 to 1 cm thick.

All the objects must be numbered to coincide with the numeron of the trail displayed at the starting point.

The handler and his dog must keep away while the track is being laid. The setting down of the objects must not create hotspots or interfere with the scent of the trail. At no time must the trail layer stop or scuff the ground. The objects must be placed on the trail and not alongside it.

Having prepared his dog the handler reports to the judge when called and states whether his dog will pick up or point out the objects. The combination of both methods (picking up and pointing out) on the same trail is not authorized and shall be penalized.

At the judge’s command the dog is led slowly and calmly to the starting point so it can pick up the trail. The dog must not be subjected to any form of constraint while it is being prepared for the trail, brought to the trail or during the tracking itself. The dog shall be given sufficient time to get the scent at the beginning of the trail. It is essential that any instinct to rush or to chase should be avoided.

The dog must take up the trail calmly and assiduously.

When the dog moves off from the starting point the handler remains still until the tracking leash has been extended to its full length. He then follow his dog, maintaining a distance of about 10 metres. The same distance must be observed if the dog is tracking off the leash. Whichever the method chosen the dog should work calmly, permitting the handler to follow at walking pace.

The tracking leash does not have to be taut, it may be slack. As soon as the dog finds an object it must pick it up or point it out clearly and convincingly without any interference from the handler. If the dog picks up the objects it is allowed to remain standing, sit or carry the object back to its handler. Picking up the object, while lying down or continuing to move forward while holding the object are faults. If the dog points out the objects it is allowed to do so sitting, standing or lying down. The handler drops the tracking leash and joins the dog immediately. He signals to the judge that the object has been found by holding it up high above his head. The dog is then put back on the trail at the place where the object was found. At the end of the exercise the objects are presented to the judge. Handlers are allowed to approach their dogs once they have picked up an object. Dogs that continue on their way after picking up an object are penalized.

The tracking leash must be attached to the dog’s chest harness or Bottcher harness, or, if the dog is not wearing either of these, to its collar. Tracking off the leash is also permitted.

The use of separate additional reins is not allowed.

The handler is free to decide how he uses the leash.

The dog is not penalized for sniffing the stake marking the beginning of the trail.

If the handler leaves the trail by a distance exceeding the length of the leash, the exercise is called to a halt.

If the dog leaves the trail and is held back by the handler, the judge will order the handler to follow his dog. Should this reoccur, the exercise shall be called to a halt.

Assessment

Putting the dog on the trail in an incorrect manner, wandering, repeated meanderings at the turns in the trail, continual encouragements, picking up or pointing out in an incorrect manner or dropping the objects will be penalized will be penalized by the loss of up to four points.

Putting the dog back on the trail repeatedly, wandering far from the trail, tracking mainly with the nose up, a hasty gait, defecation, chasing field mice etc. will be penalized by the loss of up to 8 points.

Each object not picked up or pointed out in conformity with the method described incurs a penalty of up to 4 points.

Failure to find the first object incurs a penalty of  7 points. Failure to find the second object incurs a penalty of 7 points. Failure to find the third object incurs a penalty of 6 points.

The picking up or pointing out of an object unconnected with the trail layer incurs a penalty of 4 points.

Discipline B – Obedience

Marked out of 100

Each exercise is begun and ended in the starting position. Each exercise begins on an order from the judge. After that any changes or direction, halts, changes of speed etc. are carried out without any order from the judge. However, the handler is permitted to ask the judge to give these orders.

The change of pace from running to a slow gait must be instantaneous, without transition through a normal gait. About-turns to the left may be made in either of the two ways. Halts must be executed in accordance with the IPO directions. Exercises 2 and 3 and  exercise 4 and 5 must be carried out one after the other in a straight line (without returning to the starting point).

For exercise 6 and 7, it is obligatory to use the objects provided on the competition site.

When the dog is recalled from the “facing” position to the “heel” position it may sit down either directly or do so after circling tightly around the handler’s legs.

1.                  Following off the leash (10 points)

Audible command “Heel”

The handler reports to the judge with his dog at heel, off the leash. Upon hearing the command “Heel” the dog must leave the starting position and follow its handler eagerly. At the beginning of the exercise the handler and his dog walk in a straight line for around 40 to 50 paces without stopping. They then make an about-turn and after walking another 10 or 15 paces they demonstrate the running pace and the slow pace for a distance of at least 10 paces each.

They must make at least one right-turn, one left-turn and one about-turn at normal pace. The about-turn must be made to the left. The dog’s shoulder must always remain in line with the handler’s left knee. It must not overtake, drop behind or shift sideways away from the handler. The audible command “heel” may be given each time the handler moves off and at each change of pace. When the handler stops the dog must sit immediately without receiving any command. Once the handler has stopped he is not allowed to shift his position in order to close the gap between himself and his dog. On the judge’s command the handler and his dog move through a group of at least four people and stop at least once within the group. The members of the group are in motion. If the dog hangs back, overtakes or moves away from the handler it is penalized. The handler is penalized for hesitating when changing direction. In the course of the exercise (but not while moving through the group) two shots will be fired (calibre 6-9 mm). The dog must remain indifferent to them. Dogs, which are frightened by the shots will be immediately eliminated from the competition. Dogs, which become aggressive but remain under their master’s control will be penalized. Only dogs that remain indifferent to the shots can be awarded full points.

Rules of execution

Special attention should be paid to the dog’s behaviour when the shots are fired. The latter will be fired at a distance of 15 paces and at 5 seconds’ interval. Dogs that shy away at the sound of the shots will be eliminated. If the judge suspects that a dog is sensitive to the sound of the shots he is allowed to have several extra shots fired to see whether his opinion is confirmed. The “shots” test may only be carried out during the exercises in “following off the leash” and “lying off the leash with distraction”.

2.                  Sitting while walking (5 points)

Audible command “Sit”

The handler and his dog (off the leash) leave the starting position and walk in a straight line at a normal pace. After at least 10 paces, the audible command “Sit” is given and the dog must sit immediately without the handler turning around or changing pace. Having proceeded a further 30 paces the handler stops and turns around to face the dog. On the judge’s command the handler return to his dog, stands on its right and adopts the starting position. Dogs that do not sit but lie down or remain standing are penalized by the loss of up to 3 points.

3.                  Lying down while running and recall (10 points)

Audible commands “Down” “Come” “Heel”

After leaving the starting position the handler and his dog walk in a straight line at a normal pace. After 10 paces the handler starts running and after at least 10 more paces he issues the audible command “Down”. The dog must lie down quickly, without the handler stopping running. The handler goes on running without turning for about 30 paces. Then he stops and turns to face the dog. On the judge’s command he calls his dog. The dog must join him swiftly and eagerly and sit down very close to the handler, facing him. Dogs that adopt a different position when ordered to lie down but come correctly when recalled are penalized by the loss of up to 5 points.

4.                  Standing while walking (5 points)

Audible commands “Stand” “Sit”

After leaving the starting position the handler and his dog, off the leash, walk in a straight line at a normal pace. After at least 10 paces the audible command “Stand” is issued and the dog must obey immediately without the handler stopping or turning round. After about 30 paces the handler stops and turns round immediately to face the dog. The exercise is considered to be completed when the handler has taken up position beside the dog and ordered the dog to sit and the dog has obeyed.

5.                  Standing while running and recall (10 points)

Audible commands “Stand” “Come” “Heel”

After leaving the starting position the handler and his dog, off the leash, run forward in a straight line. After at least 10 paces the handler gives the audible command “Stand”. The dog must stand immediately, without the handler changing pace or turning round. After about 30 paces the handler stops and turns round immediately to face the dog. On the judge’s command he calls his dog. The dog must join him swiftly and sit down very close to the handler, facing him. When given the command “Heel” the dog must immediately sit on the left of the handler.

Rules of execution

Dogs adopting a different position in response to the audible command “Stand” are penalized by the loss of up to 5 points. Dogs that fail to keep pace at heel or slow down on the way back to the handler and handlers who turn around may be penalized.

6.                  Retrieving an object (2 kg) (10 points)

Audible commands “Fetch” “Give” “Heel”

The dog sits off the leash on the left of the handler. The handler throws an object, which is not a personal possession (an object the dog can carry, weighing 2 kg) a distance of about 10 paces. On receiving the audible command “Fetch” (issued only once) the dog must quickly go to the object, seize it immediately, bring it back quickly and sit down very close to the handler, facing him. After a few moments, in response to the audible command “Give” it must return the object to its handler. On receiving the audible command “Heel” the dog must immediately sit at the handler’s heel. The handler must remain in the starting position until the end of the exercise.

Assessment

Dogs that drop the object, play with it or chew it are penalized by the loss of up to 4 points. Handlers who move from the starting position, shifting slightly forwards or backwards, are penalized by the loss of up to 3 points. Should a dog fail to retrieve the object, no points shall be awarded.

7.                  Jumping over a 1 m high, 1.5 m wide hedge off the leash to retrieve an object (650 g) (15 points)

Audible commands “Jump” “Fetch” “Give” “Heel”

The handler takes up position in front of the hedge at a suitable distance from it. His dog sits at his heel, off the leash. The handler throws an object (not a personal possession but an object the dog can carry weighing 650 g) over the hedge. The hedge must be solely composed of flexible branches. On being given the audible commands “Jump” and “Fetch” the dog must jump over the hedge without touching it, quickly seize the object, jump back and sit very close to the handler, facing him. It must hold the object for a few seconds and then, in response to the audible command “Give”, return it to the handler. On the audible command “Heel” the dog must sit down immediately at the handler’s heel.

The audible command “Fetch” must be given before the dog reaches the object.

Assessment

For slightly brushing the hedge, penalty of up to 2 points.

For clearly touching the hedge or springing off it slightly penalty of up to 3 points.

For clearly springing off the hedge, dropping the object, playing with it or chewing it, penalty of up to 4 points.

• Jumps over and back, retrieval of object faultless = 15 points
• Jump over executed, jump back refused, retrieval of object faultless = 8 points
• Jump over refused, jump back executed, retrieval of object faultless = 8 points
• Jumps over and back faultless, object not retrieved = 8 points
• Jumps over and back refused, object retrieved = 0 points
• Jump over executed, jump back refused, object not retrieved = 0 points

Should the object thrown by the handler deviate significantly from the desired course and land far outside the retrieval zone due to a strong crosswind or a clumsy throw, the handler, after receiving authorization from the judge, may retrieve the object and throw it again. No penalty shall be applied.

Additional commands given by the handler without moving from the starting position are to be penalized.

Should the handler abandon the starting position to help or encourage his dog during the jumps over the hedge or back,  the withdrawal of points must be envisaged.

If the handler moves forward to touch the hedge the exercise shall be considered null and void. The handler must remain in the starting position until the completion of the exercise (dog back at heel).

If there are several hedges, the same one must be used by all the dogs.

8.   Scaling a 1.8 m high, 1.5 m wide fence off the leash and retrieving an object belonging to the handler (15 points)

The fence has two sloping sides measuring 1.9 m in height and 1.5 m in width, each fitted with three rungs measuring 24 mm by 48 mm on the outside surface. The distance between the bases of the two sides must be calculated so that summit of the fence is 1.8 m above the ground (measured at a right angle to the ground).

The handler takes up position in front of the fence at a suitable distance from it. His dog sits at his heel , off the leash.

The handler may throw any object the dog can carry over the fence instead of a personal possession if he so desires. On being given the audible command “Jump” and “Fetch” the dog must scale the fence, quickly seize the object, climb back over the fence and sit very close to the handler, facing him. It must hold the object for a few seconds and then, in response to the audible command “Give”, return it to the handler. On the audible command “Heel” the dog must sit down immediately at the handler’s heel.

The audible command “ Fetch” must be given before the dog reaches the object.

Assessment

Dropping the object, playing with it or chewing it incurs a penalty of up to 4 points.

• Climbs over and back, retrieval of object faultless = 15 points
• Climb over executed, climb back refused, retrieval of object faultless = 8 points
• Climb over refused, climb back executed, retrieval of object faultless = 8 points
• Climbs over and back faultless, object not retrieved = 8 points
• Climbs over and back refused, retrieval of object faultless = 0 points
• Climb over executed, climb back refused, object not retrieved = 0 points

Should the object thrown by the handler deviate significantly from the desired course and land far outside the retrieval zone due to a strong crosswind or a clumsy throw, the handler, after receiving authorization from the judge, may retrieve the object and throw it again. No penalty shall be applied.

Additional commands given by the handler without moving from the starting position are to be penalized.

Should the handler abandon the starting position to help or encourage his dog as it climbs over the fence or back, the withdrawal of points must be envisaged.

If the handler moves forward to touch the fence the exercise shall be considered null and void.

The handler must remain in the starting position until the completion of the exercise (dog back at heel).

If there are several fences the same one must be used by all the dogs.

9.      Sending ahead and lying down (10 points)

Audible commands “Go” “Down” “Sit”

On the judge’s command the handler and his dog (off the leash) leave the starting position and walk in a straight line at a normal pace. After a few paces, the audible command “Go” is given in conjunction with a movement of the arm and the hand so that the dog is sent on ahead while the handler remains on the spot. The dog must move forward swiftly in the direction indicated for at least 30 paces. Then, on receiving the audible command “Down” it must lie down immediately. The handler has the right to keep his hand raised until the dog is lying down. On the judge’s command the handler joins his dog, takes up position on its right and gives the audible command “Sit”.

Rules of execution

Repetition of the visual signal is not permitted. The dog must move forward in a straight line. A slight deviation will be tolerated. Wide deviation, moving forward too short a distance, hesitating before lying down or doing so without waiting for the handler’s command and shifting position as the handler approaches are penalized.

8.   Lying down off the leash with distraction (10 point)

Audible command “Down” “Sit”

Immediately before another dog starts its obedience trials, the handler makes his dog lie down at a distance of about 40 paces without putting down the leash or any other object near the dog. Then, without turning around, he moves about 40 paces away, still within the competition grounds, and stands out of sight of the dog. He returns to the dog when the judge orders him to do so and instructs it to sit using the audible command “ Sit”.

Rules of execution

When out of the dog’s sight the handler must stand still until the judge gives him authorization to go back to his dog. Agitated behaviour by the handler (gestures etc.) or a shifting of the dog’s position as the handler returns are to be penalized.

Dogs that sit or stand but remain on the spot are entitled to receive points.

Dogs that stray more than three metres from the designated spot before the dog on the course has finished exercise 5 may not be awarded any points.

Dogs that stray from the spot after the completion of exercise 5 should receive points.

Dogs that move forward to meet their handler on his approach are penalized by the loss of up to 3 points.

Discipline C – Defence

Marked out of 100

1.      Searching for a criminal (10 points)

The terrain is about 100 m long and about 80 m wide with six hiding places situated along its length – three on each side. A “criminal” dressed in a full suit of protective clothing and equipped with a protective sleeve and a supple cane is in position in the last hiding place, out of sight of the dog.

The handler takes up position with his dog (off the leash) on an imaginary line down the centre of the terrain opposite the first hiding place. He indicates, by raising his arm, that he is ready to start the exercises. On the judge’s command, the handler starts the defence exercises. In response to brief audible signals given by the handler in conjunction with movements of the left or right arm – which may be repeated the dog must move away swiftly to explore the hiding places in the designated order, circling around them. The handler moves along the imaginary mid-way line and must not leave this line under any circumstances while the dog is searching for the criminal.

Each time the dog completes the exploration of a hiding place the handler may call it back by means of a brief audible signal and send it off again in another direction, also by means of a brief audible signal. The audible signal used for calling the dog back may be supplemented with the dog’s normal name. The dog must be ahead of the handler at all times. The handler stops as soon as the dog reaches the last hiding place. No further audible signals are permitted.

2.      Confrontation and barking (5 + 5 = 10 points)

The dog must hold the criminal at bay and bark at him continually without jumping at him or biting him. On the judge’s command the handler approaches his dog at a normal pace. On a further command from the judge the handler and his dog take up the starting position one pace away from the criminal and the handler orders the latter to walk five paves out of the hiding place.

3.      Escape attempt by criminal (15 points)

On the judge’s command the handler emerges from the hiding place with his dog following at heel (off the leash) and takes up position 5 paces away from the criminal. He leaves the latter under the surveillance of the dog, which is in the sitting position. The handler then makes his way back towards the hiding place.

On the judge’s command the criminal makes an escape attempt. In response to a single audible command from the handler the dog must grip the criminal immediately and without hesitation to prevent him from fleeing. On the judge’s command the criminal stands still. On receiving a single audible command the dog must immediately release its grip and hold the criminal at bay.

4.      Defence of the dog on guard duty (15 points)

When the dog has been guarding the criminal for about 5 second the criminal, at the judge’s command, launches an attack on the dog. Without any intervention from the handler the dog must defend itself immediately by grasping the criminal in a firm grip. As soon as the dog grasps the criminal the latter hits it twice with the cane. Only blows to the hindquarters, the flanks and shoulder region are permitted. On the judge’s command the criminal stands still. In response to a single brief audible command the dog must release his grip immediately and hold the criminal at bay. The handler then joins his dog and takes up position for escorting the prisoner from behind. The criminal must not be disarmed but he must hold the cane in such a way that the dog does not see it before exercise 6.

5.      Escorting the prisoner walking behind (5 points)

The criminal is then escorted over a distance of about 30 paces. The handler orders the criminal to advance and follows five paces behind with his dog at heel. A brief audible command at the outset is permitted.

6.      Attack on the dog while escorting the prisoner from behind (15 points)

When being escorted from behind the criminal, without stopping in this track, launches an attack on the dog. Without any intervention from the handler, the dog must defend itself immediately, without hesitation, by grasping the criminal in a firm grip. As soon as the dog has grasp the criminal the handler must stand still. On the judge’s command the criminal also stands still. In response to a single brief audible command the dog must immediately release his grip and hold the criminal at bay. On the judge’s command the handler joins his dog and takes up position for escorting the prisoner walking abreast. The criminal is then escorted to the judge over a distance of about 20 paces, with the handler and his dog walking alongside. A brief audible command may be given at the outset. The handler walks on the criminal’s right, so that the dog is positioned between the handler and the criminal. During the journey the dog must neither jump at nor bite the criminal. The group comes to a halt in front of judge, to whom the handler gives the cane. The criminal then leaves the terrain or goes to the sixth hiding place.

7.      Attack on dog in motion (15 points)

The handler and his dog take up position in the middle of the terrain, more or less opposite the third hiding place. The dog must sit alongside the handler, off the leash.

At the judge’s command the criminal, holding a cane, emerges from the sixth hiding place and runs to the mid-way line. On reaching the line he turns in the direction of the handler, without changing his pace. As soon as the criminal is about 30 paces from the handler and his dog, which should still be sitting at heel, the handler, at the judge’s command, releases his dog. The handler must not move from his position. The criminal makes a frontal attack on the dog, shouting and provoking the animal with violent, threatening gestures. The dog must defend itself without hesitation by grasping the criminal in a firm grip. At the judge’s command the criminal stands still. Upon receiving a single brief audible command the dog must immediately release its grip and hold the criminal at bay.

8.      Defence of dog during guard duty

When the dog has been guarding the criminal for about 5 seconds the criminal, at the judge’s command, launches another attack on the dog. Without any intervention from the handler, the dog must defend itself without hesitation by grasping the criminal in a firm grip. As soon as the dog grasps the criminal the latter hits it twice with the cane. Only blows to the hindquarters, the flanks and the shoulder region are permitted. At the judge’s command the criminal then stands still. Upon receiving a single brief audible command the dog must immediately release its grip and hold the criminal at bay.

On the judge’s command the handler joins his dog, seizes the criminal’s cane and takes up position for escorting the criminal walking abreast.

The criminal is then escorted to the judge over a distance of about 20 paces. A brief audible command may be given at the outset. The handler walks on the criminal’s right, so that the dog is positioned between the handler and the criminal. During the journey, the dog must neither jump at nor bite the criminal. The group comes to a halt before the judge and the handler hands him the cane. Once the exercise is completed the dog must follow the handler at heel or remain sitting off the leash until the results are announced. After this the handler leaves the terrain with his dog of the leash.

Rules of execution

The criminal must be dressed in a full suit of protective clothing (tunic, trousers and protective sleeve. The cane must be covered with a soft material.

Once the number of dogs performing the exercises reaches six, two criminals must be employed. The second is to take over after the seventh exercise.

Circling closely and watchfully around the criminal (including in the hiding place) is not a fault. If during exercise 3, the dog pursues the criminal before receiving or without receiving the audible command from the handler, the exercise is judged “unsatisfactory”.

If during exercise 7 the dog leaves its place prior to the judge’s command, the exercise is judged “unsatisfactory”.

If during the exercises involving biting the dog fails to release its grip after the brief audible command has been given three times, the exercise is judged “unsatisfactory”. If the dog still fails to release its grip after an additional signal, which may be delivered at the judge’s command at a distance of 10 paces, the defence exercises are called to a halt.

Although the criminal must keep an eye on the dog, he does not have to stand completely still. He must avoid provocative movements and defensive gestures.

He must protect his body with the protective sleeve.

The defence exercise are judged to have been failed in the following cases:

• If the dog is out of the handler’s control.
• If the dog fails to release its grip even after four audible commands (including the “tolerated” one).
• If the handler has to intervene physically to make the dog release its grip.
• If the dog fails one of the “attack” exercises or is eluded (including during the escape attempt).
• If the dog attacks and bites during one of the phases where it is supposed to be standing guard.

The dog is only allowed to bark in the hiding place and when it is on guard.