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NW TEAM Rules

Official Rules & Exercise Descriptions for each Level

Exercise 1-2: Interior Hide Under Bin Handle

Dog demonstrates it can find and indicate target odor under the lip of a bin or tote during an interior search.  The hide will be placed under the lip of a bin, tote, trash can, etc.  The handler may show the hide to the camera, however it is not required.

Purpose: Demonstrates dog can find a hide under the lip of a bin or tote.

Age of Hide:  Recommend 10 minutes minimum

Number of Hides: 1

Search Area: Interior search area. Location must be a unique area that is not used in another Level 1 search submission. Requires a plastic bin of some kind (recycle, large tote bin, trash can with lip, laundry basket, etc).

Hide Placement: Hide is placed under the handle or lip of a recycle bin, trash can rim, laundry bin or large tote so that it is accessible to the dog. A bin is any item that is plastic, is at least 10″ tall and has a lip around the top. The bin can have a lid or be open on the top and should be a sufficient size so as not to appear like a container. The bin must be placed 6 feet or more into the search area and naturally placed so that it is not the only obvious item in the search area.

On/Off Leash: Either on or off

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 set-up: Hide is placed per hide placement guidelines.  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 MAY show the hide to the camera but is not required.

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: Suggest using a sleeve/straw to place the hide under the lip so that it is not visible.

Video example:

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