Rescue Dogs - Suitability Test RH-E
Scent Work-
Choice of one of three Variations: 100 Points
Obedience with Dexterity Total Possible Points 100 Points
Total Possible Points 200 Points
SECTION A - Scent Work - Variation Tracking:
Total Possible Points:
Alerting Exercise Adherence to Scent Track Objects 3 x 10 Points
100 Points 20 Points 50 Points 30 Points
Time
limit: 15 minutes Handler's Track: about 600 paces, 30 min. old.
Two Corners conforming to the terrain Objects: 3 shoe-sized scent objects on the track 
A 10 meter leash may be used or the exercise may be performed off leash.
The Starting Point is to be marked.
General Rules
The object selected by th
e dog handler must be well-worn and may not be larger than the approved size. Its color may not stand out markedly from the terrain. The first
article is to be placed on the first
leg of the track, the second
article on the second leg of the track and the third article at the end of the track. The scent of th
e track may not be altered during the placement of the object. The dog handler (track layer) is not allowed to scuff or stand still. The scent
articles are to be placed on the track, not next to it. The
exercise is to be discontinued by the judge if the dog handler is off-track by 10 meters or more. The judge may allow a greater distance due to very difficult terrain. The exercise is to be discontinued in any case when the judge has the impression that the dog is unable to resume tracking on its own.
Voice Signal:
One voice signal for "Search!" Voice commands are allowed at the start and after finding each object. Occasional praise and voice commands for "Search!" are allowed.
Alert Exercise:
The Alert Exercise must be held outside of the area that will subsequently be used for the search exercise.
The victim must be placed at the alert location without the dog being able to observe the placement. At the command of the judge, the dog handler is to have the dog begin the search by using a single voice command and hand signal, sending the dog out to the victim which is visibly sitting or laying at a distance of 30 meters. The dog must alert clearly and without any help from the dog handler. The dog handler must confirm the alert. Depending on the type of alert, the dog handler must go to the victim at the command of the judge or be brought to the victim by the dog. The dog handler is to have the dog lay down off leash approximately 3 meters from the victim. The dog must remain calm while the handler directly approaches the victim. At the command of the judge, the dog handler is to collect his dog and report to the judge to sign out.
If the alert behavior of the dog is triggered by the dog handler or the victim, the exercise will be awarded o points.
Search Exercise:
Upon being summoned, the handler and dog are to sign in with the judge. The use of force is not allowed before, at the start of, or during the tracking exercise. The handler is to remain 10 meters behind the dog whether or not a leash is used. As soon as the dog locates an object he is to pick it up or otherwise indicate convincingly without any interaction from the handler. The dog can remain standing, sit down or come back to the handler with the object; however going further with the object or picking up in the lay down position will be penalized. Indication may take place in the laying, sitting or standing position, or may alternate between the three. When the dog has indicated the object, the dog handler is to go to the dog and raise the object to show that the dog has made a find. The handler is then to start the dog on the track again. At the end of the track the handler is to return the found objects to the judge.
This part of the test is completed when the dog handler reports to the judge and signs out and the judge announces the marks
Rescue Dogs - Suitability Test RH-E
SECTION A - Scent Work - Variation Area Search:
Total Possible Points: 100 Points
Overall Performance of Task 30 Points
Victim Alert 70 Points
Time limit:
Area Size:
Victim(s):
max. 10 Minutes for the Search Exercise 5.000 m2, open and covered terrain
1 victim
General Rules:
Before beginning the search, the dog handler must declare the type of alert the dog will give: alert by barking, alert by "Bringsel", or "Recall", whereby the dog runs back and forth between the dog handler and the victim on the quickest path, thereby leading the handler to the victim. The search-ready dog is allowed to wear an identifying harness and/or collar.
The dog handler may choose his own path through the area.
Overall Performance of Task and Victim Alert:
The judge instructs the victim as to the hiding place before the beginning of the exercise. The hiding place may allow for possible sight and physical contact between dog and victim. Hiding sites may be reused at any time but must be located at least 10 meters apart.
The dog handler reports to the judge with his dog ready to search. The judge then informs the handler of the details of the task.
The victim is then instructed by the judge to move to the hiding place. The dog handler and dog are allowed to observe the departure of the victim and the dog handler may give verbal motivation to the dog.
The search begins at the command of the judge. The dog handler places his dog at a point of his choice. The dog should begin sniffing the area at the command of the handler. This exercise is designed to primarily test the dog's working intensity and obedience. The dog handler may not leave the starting point unless instructed to do so by the judge.
The dog must alert clearly when the victim is found. The dog handler must report the alert to the judge and may not go to his dog until instructed to do so by the judge. The dog must remain within 2 meters of the victim while barking, until the dog handler arrives. The composition of the terrain is to be taken into consideration. When employing the "Bringsel" or the "Recall" method, the dog must lead its handler to the victim on a direct path. If the alert behavior of the dog is triggered by the dog handler or the victim, the exercise will be awarded 0 points. While alerting, the dog may receive absolutely no support from the dog handler or the victim.
Marks:
1st False Alert: minus 20 Points
2nd False Alert: Termination of the test in Section A
This part of the test is completed when the dog handler reports to the judge and signs out and the judge announces the marks.
Rescue Dogs - Suitability Test RH-E
SECTION A - Scent Work - Variation Rubble Search:
Toted Possible Points: 100 Points
Overall Performance of Task 30· Points
Victim Alert 70 Points
Time limit:
Area Size Victim(s):
max. 15 Minutes for Search Exercise 400 - 600 m2 on one level
1 victim
General Rules:
The victim must be in position 10 minutes before the dog begins to search. The hiding place may allow for possible sight and physical contact between dog and victim. Hiding sites that were used immediately prior the current search must be left uncovered if they are not being reused in the current search. Hiding sites must be located at least 10 meters apart.
Before beginning the search; the dog handler must declare the type of alert the dog will give: alert by barking, alert by "Bringsel", or "Recall" whereby the dog runs back and forth between the dog handler and the victim on the quickest path thereby leading the handler to the victim. The search-ready dog is allowed to wear an identifying harness and/or collar.
The dog handler may follow his dog into the rubble when instructed by the judge to do so.
Overall Performance of Task and Victim Alert:
The dog handler and dog are to wait out of sight until called. The dog handler and his dog are to sign in with the judge who informs the handler of the task. The dog may be placed at a point of the handler's choosing, however not on the side of the search area in which the victim is located. The direction of the wind is to be taken into account. The dog should begin sniffing the area at the command of the handler. This exercise is designed to primarily test the dog's' working intensity and obedience. The dog must alert clearly when the victim is found. The dog handler must report the alert to the judge and may not go to his dog until instructed to do so by the judge. The dog must remain within 2 meters of the place of alert while barking. The handler must be able to' clearly identify the location of the scent or the location from where the scent emanates. The composition of the terrain is to be taken into account. When employing the "Bringsel" or the "Recall" method, the dog must lead its handler to the victim on a direct path. If the alert behavior of the dog is triggered by the dog handler or the victim, the exercise will be awarded 0 points. While alerting, the dog may receive absolutely no support from the dog handler or the victim.
Marks:
1st False Alert: minus 20 Points
2nd False Alert: Termination of the test in SECTION A
This part of the test is completed when the dog handler reports to the judge and signs out and the judge announces the marks.
SECTION B - OBEDIENCE AND DEXTERITY Total-Score I Obedience and dexterity:
Exercise 1 Heeling
Exercise 2 Off leash heeling
Exercise 3 Traversing of unpleasant surfaces
Exercise 4 Off leash recall
Exercise 5 Walking through a group of people
Exercise 6 Traversing three different obstacles
Exercise 7 Traversing an elevated rigid wooden board
Exercise 8 Carrying and handing over the dog
Exercise 9 Lying down while distracted
100 Points 10 Points 15 Points 10 Points 10 Points 10 Points 15 Points 10 Points 10 Points 10 Points
General Rules:
The start and execution of the exercises are to be announced by the judge or a person he appoints. The dog should carry out the exercise willingly and quickly.
In the start position, the dog must sit close to the handler on his left side, oriented directly forward, and its shoulder may not be further forward than the handler's knee.
Performance Rules:
1. Heeling 10 Points
Voice command: "One voice command for "Heel"
The voice command may only be given at the start of each exercise. The handler approaches the judge with his dog on leash, has his dog sit, and presents himself. The leash must be held loosely in the left hand. From the start position, the dog must be attentive, heel willingly on the left side of the handler and remain oriented directly forward, with its shoulder no further forward than the handler's knee. When the handler stops, the dog must sit quickly, without assistance and remain oriented forward. Forging ahead, lagging, and straying to the side by the dog, as well as stalling by the handler at the turns, will be penalized. One left-hand turn and one right hand turn as well as one about turn in stride must be demonstrated. Halting must be demonstrated two times after which the leash is to be removed.
2. Off leash heeling 15 Points
Voice command: "One voice command for "Heel"
The voice command may be given at the start of each exercise. The dog handler is to approach the judge with his dog on leash, have his dog sit, and then present himself. The leash is to be held loosely in the left hand. From the start position, the dog is to be attentive, heel willingly on the left side of the dog handler and remain oriented directly forward, with its shoulder no further forward than the handler's knee. When the dog handler stops, the dog is to sit quickly without assistance and remain oriented forward. Forging ahead, lagging, and straying to the side by the dog, as well as stalling by the dog handler at the turns, will be penalized. One left-hand turn and one right-hand turn as well as one about turn are to be demonstrated in stride. Halting must be demonstrated one time. Two shots (caliber 6 - 9 mm) and motor sounds are to be issued as a distraction during the off leash heeling. The dog must be indifferent to the gun shots. Should the dog show any noise-shyness or gun-shyness, it will be disqualified from the test. Should the dog become agitated during the shooting, this will be considered acceptable as long as the dog remains under the control of its handler. Only a dog who reacts indifferently to all forms of noise can be awarded full points.
Aggressive and overly shy dogs are to be excluded from the test.
3. Traversing of unpleasant surfaces 10 Points
Obstacle field: an area of tin sheeting or steel building lattice of approx. 3 x 3 meters
covered with stones, construction materials, rubble, or similar materials.
Voice command: "One voice command for "Heel"
The start position is to be assumed in front of the obstacle. At the command "Heel", the handler walks from one end of the obstacle field and back with his dog willingly following in the heel position. On the return stretch, one full stop must be demonstrated. After leaving the obstacle field, the start position is to be assumed.
4. Off leash recall 10 Points
Voice Signals: one each for "Go on!" and "Come!"
From the start position and at the command of the judge, the dog handler is to set his dog free. The dog handler is not allowed to alter his position. When the dog has reached a distance of approx. 10 meters and at the command of the judge, the dog handler is to recall the dog with any voice command. The dog is to return immediately and willingly to the dog handler.
5. Walking through a group of people 10 Points
At a command from the judge, the dog handler and his off-leash dog are to. move through a shifting group of at least four people. The dog handler must stop at least once in the group.
6. Obstacles 15 Points
Voice commands: one each for "Heel" and "Jump"
The dog is to be led to three natural obstacles, one after another, each time at the voice command for "Heel". Suitable obstacles are, for example, a bush, a barrel, or a post, with a minimum height 0,4 m and maximum height 0,8 m. With the voice command for “Jump" the dog must cross the obstacles by jumping completely over them or by jumping on the obstacle and then from the obstacles to the ground.
7. Traversing an elevated rigid wooden board 10 Points
The dog will be led to the rigid wooden board with ramp. The length of the board should be approximately 4.5 m, the height approximately 0.4 m, with a maximum width of 0.4 m. With the voice command "Heel" the dog must continue to the ramp and traverse the wooden board confidently and calmly with the dog handler remaining at his side.
8. Carrying the dog 10 Points
Voice commands: one each for "Come!" and "Start Position!"
The dog is to be picked up by the handler or another person from the ground or a higher level (e.g. a table) and carried 10 m and then handed over to the dog handler or another person, who carries the dog another 10m before setting the dog down. On the command of the judge, the dog handler is to call his dog, which is to assume the start position immediately upon reaching the handler, who then puts his dog on leash. If the dog handler is the person who received the dog, then the dog must remain in position after being set down until the handler is approx. 10 meters away. The handler then calls his dog, who must come and immediately assume the start position. The dog may not show any aggression towards the dog handler or the assisting persons.
9. Laying down while distracted 10 Points
Voice commands: one each for "Down" and "Sit up!"
At the start of another dog's exercise, the dog handler is have his dog assume the "down stay position" (voice command) at a place indicated by the judge. Neither the leash nor any objects may be left near the dog. The dog handler must take at least 30 paces, stop, turn and face the dog. The dog must maintain in the "down stay" position without any pressure from the dog handler, while another dog handler team goes through exercises 1-8. During exercise 5, the dog handler of the dog in the down stay position must join the slow moving group and upon completion of exercise 5, the dog handler must return to his previous position without prompting. At the judge's command, the dog handler must return to his dog and take up position on its right side. Upon renewed command of the judge, the dog handler is to give the voice command "Sit up!" and the dog must quickly resume a straight, sitting position.
This part of the test is completed when the dog handler reports to the judge and signs out and the judge announces the marks.
