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NW TEAM Rules

Official Rules & Exercise Descriptions for each Level

Exercise 1-6: Vehicle Search

Dog demonstrates it can find and indicate target odor on a vehicle, indoors or outdoors.  Handler may present the hide to the camera after rewarding dog; however not required.

 Purpose: Demonstrates dog can find a hide on a vehicle

Age of Hide:  Recommend 10 minutes minimum

Number of Hides: 1

Search Area: One passenger vehicle, trailer, or farm equipment. (no lawn mowers, bikes, motorcycle.) Vehicle can be indoors (garage, barn) or outdoors and the whole vehicle must be in view. There must be at least 3 feet clearance around all sides of the vehicle. Start line must be at least 6 feet away. Location must be a unique area that is not used in another Level 1 search submission.

Hide Placement: Placed in wheel spoke/hubcap, wheel well, license plate, or hitch

On/Off Leash: On 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 set-up: Hide is placed in wheel spoke/hubcap, license plate, or hitch, per hide placement guidelines.  There must be 3 feet clearance around vehicle. Start line must be at least 6 feet back. 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. Excessive pawing or jumping on a vehicle. Dog goes under vehicle; Dog dislodges hide during search.

Tips: 

Video example:

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