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NW TEAM Rules

Official Rules & Exercise Descriptions for each Level

Exercise 1-1: Interior Threshold Hide Under Chair

Dog demonstrates it can find and indicate target odor placed under the seat of a chair, with the chair located at the threshold.  The hide will be placed under the seat of an upright chair; the seat should be at least 12″ from the ground and the chair must be located at the threshold, located roughly within the first third of the search area.  Handler must pick up and show the hide in camera view after dog is rewarded.

Purpose: Demonstrates dog can find a hide under the seat of a chair AND BY USING hide placement, the dog develops an understanding that hides can be near the start of the search area.

Age of hide: Recommend 10 minutes minimum.

Number of Hides: 1

Search Area: Interior area that is at least 10 feet deep from the start line and where most of the search area is in view of the camera. Location must be a unique area that is not used in another Level 1 search submission. Place chair per hide placement guidelines

Hide Placement: The hide will be placed under the seat of an upright chair; the seat should be at least 12″ from the ground; the chair must be located roughly within the first third of the search area.

On/Off Leash: Either On or Off Leash

Required Calls: Handler must say “Alert” or raise hand when their dog has communicated they have found target odor. The Alert call must come before rewarding your dog and should be the handler’s first confirmation of their dog finding the hide.”

Exercise setup: Hide will be placed under the seat of an upright chair, per hide placement guidelines. The chair cannot be directly across from the startline or be the only obvious obstacle in the search area. Search begins when the handler cues the dog to search. Dog and/or handler must cross the start line. Search ends when the handler signals an “Alert” call. The handler must show the hide to the camera before turning the camera off per one of the options outlined in the overview.

Scoring: Pass/Not Yet

Non-Qualifiers: Odor paired with food; handler points to hide; dog does not show change in behavior at source; dog exhibits an unproductive indication, scent aids fall out from hide placement, dog retrieves hide, exposed scent aids (not in vessel) placed in search area; dog eliminates during search; search parameters not met; incorrectly placed hide; incorrect call; dog is rewarded before handler makes an alert call; Scent vessel not hidden and visible to dog or the human eye; handler is out of view a majority of the search time. Dog dislodges hide during search.

Tips: Can use poop bag to pick up hide. Wash hands after handling hides.

Video Example: 

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