FPr2

–   TRACKING

– rules of IPO


A track is laid by someone else and its course unknown to the handler: at least 400 steps, 3 legs, 2 corners (approximately 90°), and 2 scent articles supplied by the tracklayer and left on the track for at least 30 minutes; time allowed for completion: 15 minutes.

 

Holding to the track:                           80 points

Finding articles (10 points each):          20 points

Total: 100 points

 

 

General regulations:

The trial judge or his designee determines the course and suitability of each track at the available tracking fields.   The tracks must be designed differently. For example, it may not be that the corners and dropped articles in each track are identical. The starting point of the track must be marked well by a sign or marker stuck in the ground on the left side of the starting point.

The sequence of the participants is drawn by lots by the judge after the tracks are laid.

The tracklayer has to show the articles to the judge or someone answerable to him, before the start of the track. Only well “aged” scent articles left for at least 30 minutes on the track may be used.  The track layer lingers briefly on the starting point and then goes with normal steps in the direction designated by the judge. The corners are also made at normal pace. The first article is dropped after at least 100 steps on the 1st or 2ndleg, at the judge’s direction. The second object is dropped at the end of the track. The articles must be placed while moving.  After dropping the last article, the tracklayer must continue walking some steps in the same direction. Different articles must be used, made of leather, textile, or wood [any two of these]. The article length must be a maximum of approximately 10 cm [about 4 inches], with a width of 2-3 cm [a little over an inch], and a thickness of 0.5-1 cm [less than half an inch]. They may not stand out in color much from the terrain on which they are dropped. All articles are to be visibly numbered, so that the numbers on the articles agree with the numbers that the judge and trial manager have.  During the laying of the track, the dog must be out of sight.

The judge and assistants or companions may not interfere with the work of the dogs in the area in which the team (handler and dog) is searching.

A) Voice Command

Example of a command to begin searching:  Such! (pronounced almost like “sook”.)

The command to “search” is permitted at the start of the track, and after the first article.

b) Performance of the Exercise

The handler brings his dog to the track. The dog may search freely, or on a 10-meter long line. The 10-m tracking lead can lie over the back, at the side, or between the front and/or hind legs. It can either be directly fastened to the “dead ring” of the approved collar or to a harness (allowed is a chest harness or a Böttger harness, without additional straps.

After being summoned for their test, the dog handler reports with his dog to the judge near or at the starting position, and tells the judge whether his dog will pick up the articles or indicate their position. Before the track, during the search, and throughout the total exercise, there must not be any psychological pressure given to the dog. On instruction of the judge, the handler leads the dog slowly and steadily to the starting point and tells the dog to search. The dog must right away take the scent intensely, steadily and with a deep nose. The dog must continue then with deep nose, in a constant, steady tempo, intensely following the course.  The handler follows his dog at the 10-meter distance, whether at the end of the tracking lead or doing a free search (without lead or line).  The tracking lead may sag, as long as it is not dropped by the handler. The dog must work out the corners surely. After the corner, the dog must continue searching at the same speed. As soon as the dog has found an article, it mustimmediately pick it up or convincingly indicate its location without influence from the handler. The dog may remain standing when picking it up, sit, or come to the handler. Going on with the article, or picking it up while lying down, are faulty. The indications can be accomplished by lying, sitting or standing (or any combination of these). If the dog has indicated or picked up the article, the handler drops the tracking lead and proceeds to his dog. By lifting of the articles, he shows that the dog has found them. After this, the handler picks up the tracking lead again and continues the track with his dog. After performance of the track, the handler is to show the recovered articles to the judge.

c)  Evaluation/Scoring

The speed of search is not a criterion in the performance appraisal, as long as the track work is intense, steady, and convincing, with the dog showing a positive search attitude. Exuberance (without leaving the track) is not faulty. Inattentiveness, high nose, voiding (urinating or defecating), circling at the corners, constant encouragement, using the line or verbal assistance during the track or at the articles, is faulty, as is incorrect picking up or indicating of the articles; points are deducted accordingly. If the dog leaves the track more than the length of a tracking lead, the track is halted; the exercise is over. If the dog leaves the track and is held back from doing so by the handler, the judge will order the handler to follow the dog. If this order is not followed, the tracking is to be halted by the judge. If the end of the track is not reached within 15 minutes after arriving at the starting point, the tracking is halted by the judge. The performance up to that discontinuance is rated.

If a dog both indicates and picks up articles on the track, this is faulty. Only the scent articles that were exhibited and approved at the beginning are allowed. Indication faults are recorded in connection with the evaluation/scoring of the respective legs.

No points will be awarded if articles are neither indicated nor picked up.

The distribution or allotment of points for holding to the track on each leg will be made according to length and degree of difficulty. Evaluation of the respective legs is made by the judge after consulting his notes and adding the points. If the dog does not actively search (if it dwells in place for too long without searching for the track), the exercise can also be stopped then, even if the dog is still on the track course.



Přidat komentář


Novinky: