Guarding an Object
PENALTIES:
 -0 |
Dog bites the Decoy within the 2 m zone and lets itself be dragged to, but not beyond, the circle
| -0 |
Dog bites the Decoy within the 2 m zone and lets itself be dragged beyond the circle, per meter
| -1 |
Dog bites and lets itself be dragged beyond 5 m distance from the place where it bites
| -15 |
Dog lets itself be dragged beyond 5 m , does not let go within 10 sec
| -30 |
Dog lets the Decoy take and move the object, then bites, regardless of the distance, inside the circles, by meter
| -1 |
Dog lets the Decoy take and move the object, then bites, at 5 – 10 m
| -15 |
Dog lets the Decoy take and move the object beyond 10 m
| -30 |
Dog bites the Decoy between 2 and 5 m
| -5 |
Dog bites the Decoy beyond 5 m (exercise is ended)
| -30 |
The object will be placed 3 meters from the 5 meters circle (preparation zone), in the same place for all competitors. The handler takes the object and places it on the 5 meters circle line, upon the judge’s signal (horn), the handler will then place the object as requested by the judge in the centre of the inner/smaller circle. The handler tells the dog to guard the object and goes to the designated blind without looking back at the dog.
An object will be placed at the centre of a 2 m radius circle. A second concentric circle of 5 m will be traced. The Judge may use one or two Decoys, but the second Decoy must stay at least 10 m away while the other Decoy works. Whatever the case, 3 attempts to steal the object are mandatory; the penalties are cumulative and identical for the 3 attempts, according to the faults committed. If the Decoy succeeds in stealing the object, on any attempt, the dog loses the 30 points of the exercise.
During any one of the 3 attempts, which are the same for all competitors, the Decoy must use certain accessories designed to divert the dog’s attention. They must never serve as a shield to prevent the dog from biting. An impassable accessory is forbidden; it must permit the dog to pass through. The accessory does not have to be identical to the other accessories used in the competition. The accessory must not be dropped intentionally within the 5 m circle. In the case where the dog confuses the accessory with an object to be guarded, a third passage will be used.
Objects to guard, which could be dangerous to the dog, are forbidden.
The distance at which the dog bites, without accessory, is the distance between the object and the closest part of the decoy’s body. With the accessory, the part of the accessory closest to the object counts. When the decoy enters a circle (distance to the object <2m or <5m) with any part of his body he must continue to enter and approach. When the Decoy is within the inner/smaller circle he will have 30 sec to make an attempt. Between 2 – 5 m, if the dog comes out to bite, the Decoy can avoid or block the dog with the accessory. Nonetheless, the accessory cannot help him to avoid the dog. If a part of the accessory is within 2 m of the object, it will be as if the Decoy is within 2 m and he can try to steal the object. There can only be one object to guard on the ground.
The Decoy must steal the object; he must have a neutral attitude until 2 m from the dog, unless the dog takes the offensive (a legitimate defence).
Definition of biting: same as that of Stopped Attack or Discovery in the blind.
The circles traced on the ground serve only as a reference point in order to evaluate the distance the object is carried away from the initial position of the object. It is therefore necessary mentally to recreate these distances as a function of the position of the object. Example – The dog made its last bite at 4 m then let itself be dragged 6 m, the penalty is doubled.
1. Dog bites at 4m -5
2. Lets itself be dragged for 2m -2
making -7 points total.
At the end of the exercise, and at the appearance of the handler, the dog goes to him = penalty to G.A.; but if the dog moves away from the object before the horn blast allowing the return to the handler, loss of 1 point per m up to 10 meters and beyond = 0.
The handler places the object at the centre of the 2 m circle and commands the dog to guard it before going into the blind.
The Decoy enters the 5 m circle in a neutral manner, without being aggressive or trying to attract the dog’s attention. If the dog lets him enter the 2 m circle, the Decoy must then use all possible ruses, threats, intimidations, avoidances, which he thinks may impress and trick the dog into dropping his guard. He will have about 30 seconds to steal the object.
If the dog bites before the Decoy is able to touch or take the object, the Decoy must wait 2 seconds before moving away in a normal manner or dragging the dog if he has maintained his bite. If the dog bites after the Decoy has stolen the object, the Decoy must put the object down at his feet as soon as possible, and proceed as above.
If the dog takes the object in its mouth, or puts at least one paw on or within the object, without biting the Decoy, as it is in contact with the object, the Decoy must pull the object outside the 2 m circle (at a distance of 2 meters) before the Judge can stop the exercise, considering the object ineffectively defended. To determine the place where the dog bites, the Judge will take into account the position of the Decoy. To determine the distance to which the dog has let itself be dragged, the Judge will take into account the position of the dog, the four paws outside of one of the circles.
The Judge will always have the right to apply a penalty against G.A. if the guarding of the object, even if effective, may not be considered as perfect.
The handler cannot look back at the dog while heading for or entering the blind or they will lose all points of the exercise.
A dog that bites the object will lose general allure points, and if the dog destroys the object they will lose all points.