DESCRIPTION OF THE EXERCISE: The exercise will take place with the dog on the ground. The dog and the handler must be able to see each other from a distance of 5, 10 and 15m, depending on the level. It is permitted to call the dog by name before giving the positioning command, but it must be spoken only once along with the command and without pause. If not, it is a double command). The judge must distinguish between moving forward during positions (-1 per meter), and an early return to heel sanctioned by all points remaining in the exercise.
For each position, the handler is entitled to 2 additional commands. If the dog has not executed the position after the 2 additional commands, the exercise is ended and all points already awarded are kept. Also for the initial position, if the dog changes it, handler must re-command the dog (2 extra commands allowed). The dog that anticipates the position, at one position at least (that which it has just left), may eventually lose another one, if it takes the following position. To avoid a situation where the dog obeys the Deputy Judge’s signal, we propose a “triangle” system of signals (the dog faces away from the Judges and each of the three positions are illustrated on a moveable three sided board.
It is stated that as long as the deputy judge or the judge did not indicate the next position, the dog must maintain its position. If he leaves, the handler must re-commend. If the next position is indicated and the dog is moving taking the following position (indicated) before command, he loses this position because it is too early.