Exercise 3-4: Deep Accessible Search
The Deep Accessible Search builds the dog’s ability to drive to source and ultimately helps the dog to develop inaccessible hide skills. In this search, the dog must source a hide that has been placed in a way that the dog has to push into the space, while under physical environmental pressure such as a tight space or highly cluttered area.
Purpose: Search presents environmental pressure to the dog to access hide placement. Search requires the dog to push into an area so they have to reach deep to locate the hide. This ultimately helps the dog to develop inaccessible hide skills.
Age of Hide: Recommend 10 minutes minimum
Number of Hides: 1
Search Area: Any suitable location
Hide Placement: Handler’s Choice/Accessible, dog must have to reach at least 1 length of the dog to get to hide.
On/Off Leash: Off leash unless in unsafe area
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. The Handler must say “Finish” in all searches to end the search.
Exercise set-up: Objects should be placed requiring the dog to push through obstacles to get to source. Dog must be able to physically get to source after navigating the obstacles and environmental pressures. This may include going through a narrow space, jumping over an object or having to go deep under a table to locate source. 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. Handler must signal an “Alert” call for the single hide. Search ends when the handler calls “Finish”.
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; 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:
Video example:
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Additional sample of Level 3, Exercise 4
Sample Videos: