Expectations

There are set expectations of the behaviour of dog and handler competing in a Noseworx detection dog trial.

These expectations are laid out below.

Expected team behaviour

Alerts

Handlers will be responsible for identifying when they believe their dog has found the odour by calling “Alert” and raising one hand above their head. An audible and visual signal is required in the event of confusion as to the intention of the handler.

A formal and final response from the dog is not required at level 1 and 2. It is therefore not required that the dog show any specific behaviour stated for these levels, but the handler must still call the alert when they recognise the dog has found the odour in order for the test to conclude. In levels 3 and above it is expected that a dog should show a final response which should be visible to the judge.

Judges may ask “Where?” and handlers should be able to identify the location of the source by pointing to, or describing the location without touching anything, and without re-cueing the dog for further search information. The course designer will inform the judge of the “yes” parameter on the day.

Rewards

Any reward, toy, motivator, clicker etc. will be allowed in the search areas PROVIDING that the search areas are not compromised by their use.

Contamination

Food contamination is a serious breach of the search areas, handlers may carry food rewards at all levels but must never drop food or contaminate the search area in any way. No items of odour are to be brought to the trial areas except by officials, and handlers must not discuss their searches in a way that allows anyone an advantage that hasn’t completed their search.

Working Areas

Competitors are NOT allowed in the working areas of the trial until after they have run their search. If any competitor is found to be in the working areas prior to their run, they will be disqualified from the event for that day. Competitors are also prohibited from discussing any detail in relation to or the operation of the trial with any other competitor or spectator. This is to protect the integrity of the odour placements. Videoing/photographs are permitted and will be at the discretion of the handler, handlers who have completed their searches may be allowed to watch further teams’ searches at the discretion of the course designer.

Additional dogs

Competitors may handle only one dog in each trial. A competitor may enter more than one dog in the same trial so long as a separate handler is provided for each dog. This is to ensure that the integrity of the hide location is the same for each competitor. Sub trials for Judges and/or second dogs from the same handler will be held at the discretion of the course designer