Exercise 2-5: Exterior Search
Dog demonstrates they can search and locate a single hide in a larger exterior area using a ground surface different from Exercise 1-5.
Purpose: Demonstrates dog can work outside in a larger area on a variety of ground surfaces.
Age of Hide: Recommend 10 minutes minimum
Number of Hides: 1
Search Area: Exterior area that is minimally 150 sq ft and requires use of a different type of ground surface than was used in Exercise 1-5.
Hide Placement: Handler’s choice.
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: One 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 calls “Alert.”
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 (false) indication; dog retrieves hide; 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.
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Additional sampleof Level 2, Exercise 5
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