Exercise 4-2: Clearing containers
This exercise tests the dog’s odor obedience and ability to avoid food distractions in container searches, as well as running it like unknown number of hides. The search is setup so that distractors are in the boxes before and after the hot container. After indicaitng the hide, the team must continue searching down the line to clear the rest of the containers as if there are an unknown number of hides.
Purpose: Demonstrates dog can search in the presence of two food distractors, specifically protein and sweets as well as continue to search to clear the row of containers.
Age of Hide: Recommend 10 minutes minimum
Number of Hides: 1
Search Area: Exterior
Hide Placement: Handler’s choice. Hide is placed in a container and the distraction containers are placed directly before and after the hot container.
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 be the handler’s first confirmation of their dog finding the hide. The Alert call must also come before rewarding your dog. “Finish” must be called to end the search. The “Finish” call must be called after clearing the remaining containers, not right after finding the hide.
Exercise set-up: Use a minimum of 12 containers of any type (must be enclosed on all sides that has a cover, lid, or fold flap). The containers can be a mix of different types as long as the hot container is not the only different one. The containers are placed in a straight row. Maximum distance between each container is 3 feet. Hide is placed per guidelines. A protein is placed in one container and a sweet food distractor is placed in another container and these are placed directly BEFORE AND AFTER the hot container so that the dog encounters the distractor naturally. Search begins when the handler cues the dog to search. Dog and/or handler must cross the start line. After the hide is found, the team must continue searching down the row of boxes, in direction already moving, to clear the remaining containers. Search ends when the handler calls “Finish” after clearing the containers. While the camera is still running, the handler must show both food distractors in each of the distractor containers.
Scoring: Pass/Not yet
Non-qualifiers: Search parameters not met; 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; scent aids fall out from hide placement; exposed scent aids (not in vessel) placed in search area; Dog dislodges hide during search; dog eliminates during search; Scent vessel not hidden and visible to dog or the human eye; incorrectly placed hide; incorrect call. Dog is rewarded before handler makes an alert call; handler is out of view a majority of the search time.
Tips:
Video example:
Can’t see this video? Click here to view.