Exercise 2-1: Interior with distraction
Dog demonstrates they can find and indicate target odor in the presence of an intentional food distractor (fruit). The food distractor will be secured in a small container that is placed off the ground and no further than 6 feet from the hide location. The distactor is placed before the hide so that the dog can naturally encounter it when entering the search area. Handler must show the food distractor during the video search.
Purpose: Dog shows good odor obedience when searching in the presense of an intentional food distraction.
Age of Hide: Recommend 10 minutes minimum
Number of Hides: 1
Search Area: Interior area, hide (tin or straw), secure container to contain the food so the dog cannot access it
Hide Placement: Placed anywhere in the interior after the food distractor so that the dog naturally encounters the distractor prior to finding the hide.The hide location must not be in or on a container.
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: Using an Interior area, a fruit distractor will be placed in a secure container that allows odor to be available.The distractor must be off the ground and no further than 6 feet from the hide location. Distractor must be placed BEFORE the hide so that the dog encounters the distractor naturally when entering the search area. Hide is placed per guidelines. Search begins when the handler cues the the dog to search. Dog and/or handler must cross the start line. Search ends when the handler signals an “Alert” call. While camera is still running, the handler must show food in the distractor container.
Scoring: Pass/Not yet
Non-qualifiers: Odor paired with food; dog indicates on the distractor, dog will not leave or retrieves the distractor; dog lured off a distractor with food; excessive handler intervention (including leash pressure, body pressure, verbal) used to move dog away from intentional distractor; handler points to hide; dog does not show change in behavior at source; dog exhibits an unproductive (false) indication; dog retrieves hide or distractor; scent aids fall out from hide placement; 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: Use a large metal tin with some venting to place the food distractor.
Video example:
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