Qualifying

All trials will be awarded based on percentages of hides found.

Excellence – 100%

Merit – 90%

Achieved – 80%

Not Achieved – Less than 80%

To be awarded a certificate, a team must:

Locate the noted number of hides across all trial elements.
Not incur any non-qualifying faults
Complete the search within the allotted time.

Percentages of Success:

Level 1 and 2 hides are of a set number. Level 3, 4 and 5 hides will depend on the search designer at that trial. A calculator will be provided to the organisation to work out hide percentage success rates.

False alerts

Level 1 – If a False alert is called, the team may carry on with their search, and if called correctly the second time, the team will achieve the search. This applies to each element. A second False alert in the same element will result in a not achieved of that element.

Level 2 and above - If a false alert is called, the team may continue their search of that element, but one of the hides will not be counted. A second false alert in the same element will result in a not achieved. This applies to each element.

E.g L2 - Interior 2 hides. 1 False alert = 1 hide remains to find.

L3 - Exterior 3 hides. 1 False alert = 2 hides remain to find.

General Faults

The aim of these trials are to highlight the positive achievements of the handler and dog.

L1 and 2 – This may result in a failed search at the judge's discretion.

Handler:

More than 1 False alert in the same element.
Unsafe line handling
Not covering the search area
Not responding to a dog’s alert behaviour,
Interfering with the search areas
Not able to point to the location of the hide when asked by the judge.
Any harsh handling or harsh corrections by the handler
Allowing the dog to interfere with the search area after they have called alert.

Dog:

Drinking the judges’ beverages,
Interfering with the search area and or hide location.
Toileting in the search area.

L3 and above: This will result in a failed search.

Handler

- More then 1 False alert in the same element

- Unsafe line handling

- Not covering the search area

- Not responding to a dog’s alert behaviour,

- Interfering with the search areas

- Not able to point to the location of the hide when asked by the judge

- Any harsh handling or harsh corrections by the handler

- Allowing the dog to interfere with the search area after they have called alert.

Dog:

- Drinking the judges’ beverages,

- Interfering with the search area and or hide location.

- Toileting in the search area.