Exercise 3-6: Multiple Vehicle Search
In the Multiple Vehicle search (2 vehicles), the dog must be able to find 1 hide in either a wheel spoke/hubcab, license plate, or hitch in such a way that the dog encounters a vehicle without odor prior to searching the vehicle with odor.
Purpose: Demonstrates ability to work multiple vehicles and unproductive areas.
Age of Hide: Recommend 10 minutes minimum
Number of Hides: 1
Search Area: 2 vehicles: can be passenger vehicle, trailer, or farm equipment. (no lawn mowers, bikes, motorcycle)
Hide Placement: Hide placed on farthest side from start line on 2nd vehicle in one of these locations: wheel spoke/hubcab, 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. The Handler must say “Finish” in all searches to end the search.
Exercise set-up: Using two vehicles outdoors, a hide is placed per guidelines. There must be at least 3 feet clearance around all sides of the vehicle configuration. Start line must be set upwind (wind at your back) so that the dog clears/approaches the cold vehicle first. Start line must be at least 6 feet away. Wind direction must be shown before or after the search while the camera is still running. Suggestions are to use flagging tape that the handler holds up in the air or tied to an object in the search area. Consideration is made if there is no wind or the wind changes, however we need to see the current wind condition. 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, excessive pawing or jumping on vehicle; 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 goes under vehicle; Dog dislodges hide during search.
Tips:
Video example:
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Additional samples of Level 3 Exercise 6
Sample Videos: