NARA, North American Ring Association

In order to advance to Category III, the dog must first successfully complete the following three steps:

a) Obtain the Brevet for Dogs of Defense with a score of at least 80 out of 100, including 80 percent of the available points in each of the two Protection Exercises.

b) Obtain two qualifying scores of 160 points out of a possible 200 in Category I competition (i.e., obtain at least 80% of the points attributed to that Category) under two different Judges in order to pass on to Category II competition.

c) Obtain two qualifying scores of 240 points out of a possible 300 in Category II competition (i.e., obtain at least 80% of the points attributed to that Category) under two different Judges in order to pass on to Category III competition. As long as the dog competing in Category III has not twice achieved 320 points under two different Judges, his Handler is authorized to present him in Category II as often as he deems it useful. The dog may not compete in the two Categories at the same trial.

No dog may be authorized to compete in Brevet unless his handler has his scorebook. The scorebook must be presented to the judge prior to the trial.

Obtaining the Brevet for Dogs of Defense is subject to the following conditions:

a) The Handler of the dog must have his membership card, and the dog must have his scorebook.

d) The Judge must verify the tattoo number on the dog. Bitches in heat may be allowed to compete on the condition that they will not be allowed on the field until the very end of the program , on the last day of the trial , providing that no other male will compete that day at a higher level. Dogs with contagious illnesses will not be allowed to compete (see Rules of Veterinary Services).

e) The dog must be examined for the required conditions by the Affiliated Club for Utility which is charged with the organization of the Brevet

f) The administrator of the test for the Brevet for Dogs of Defense must be a Judge (qualified or apprentice), assisted by a Decoy who is selected. The test may take place:

-- on a neutral field, a park, a lawn, or a meadow with the proper dimensions for the exercises.

g) A dress code is in effect at all trials, at all levels. Correct and proper clothing is required during all competition, as well as during the Trophy Presentations. Shorts and/or tank tops are strictly forbidden. Penalty is -5 points from General Outlook.

h) The Judge, during the competition, must announce the points, by loud speaker, exercise by exercise.

1. Heel on Leash	4 points
2. Refusal of Food (one piece is thrown)	10 points
3. Heel Off Leash (w/muzzle)	8 points
4. Down for One Minute (Handler absent)	10 points
5. Defense of the Handler (two gunshots)	30 points
6. Face Attack at 30 Meters	30 points
7. General Outlook ( presentation, etc.)	8 points
TOTAL	100 points

A score of zero in one of these exercises will not necessarily result in elimination (no Brevet awarded); however, the Brevet will be awarded only to a dog who obtains 80 total points out of 100 (including General Outlook) and on the condition that this dog obtains at least 80% of the total points available in each of the two exercises of bite work (at least 24.0 points both for the Face Attack and the Defense of the Handler exercises).

The dog who is gun-shy will be immediately eliminated and will not be awarded the Brevet. The test for gun shyness will be conducted during the Defense of the Handler exercise. At the moment of aggression (when the Decoy strikes the Handler), the Decoy will fire one shot and the second shot will come a few seconds after the dog bites. These gunshots must be directed in the air and in the opposite direction to the dog.

The Brevet for Dogs of Defense must be judged, in order to provide a guarantee of the dog's character, courage, trainability, and suitability for working. In order to conduct a registered and official Brevet, there must be at least six dogs competing in the trial. The Judge must furnish a report within 30 days to N.A.R.A.

Any dog which has the Brevet for Dogs of Defense may be presented in competition in Category I. The handler, at Ring I level, may request, either, the Hurdle at 0 .90 , 0.95 or 1,00 meter, the Broad Jump at 3.0 (8 pts)or 3.25 (10 pts) or 3.5 meters(12 pts) or the Palisades (Scaling Wall) at 1,7 (8 pts) or 1.8 (10 pts) or 1.9 meters(12 pts). The selection of the jump is the Handler's option.

A dog must have obtained at least 160 points twice in Category I under two different Judges before he may be presented in competition in Category II. The exercises for Category II are as follows:

A dog must have obtained at least 240 points twice in Category II under two different Judges before he may be presented in competition in Category III.

In the results of a Ring trial, there will be Qualifications (ratings) in Ring III only. They are the following:

In order to be formally called a trial, a trial must have an official Judge, and he must furnish a report of the trial to N.A.R.A..

Will be determined by a resident of the U.S or Canada competing in the N.A.R.A. Championship Trial with a dog which has resided in the U.S. or Canada for at least 6 months prior to the Championship trial date and achieving the highest score in each of the three Categories for Ring I Champion, Ring II Champion and Ring III Grand Champion. NARA has a Domestic Ring III Champion title for any Ring III dog domestically trained, receiving the highest score in Ring III of any other dog trained totally in the U.S or Canada by a resident and a NARA member.

The number of competitors allowed to participate in the various Ring examinations will be determined by each country.

The Clubs that wish to organize trials in Ring, or training tests for utility dogs, must be extremely careful to prepare completely and to neglect no detail.

The field (Ring) must be spacious. It must have an area of at least 2,000 m2 and more if possible. The maximum area will be that of a regulation soccer field. The length must never be less than 65 meters and the width never less than 30 meters. Further, the field must never be too hard, that is to say, neither cobbled nor paved. It must be ensured that there is no object on the field which could cause injury to the dogs.

For a Selection Trial, the minimum area required will be 3,200 m2 (80 yards x 40 yards, minimum).The Jury will consist of one or of several Judges.

The organizing Club will also be required to select a Deputy Judge who is very knowledgeable about the preparation for and the handling of the exercises.

The Club must also provide for the participation of at least two persons, the Ring Stewards, whose duty it will be to adjust the various obstacles, throw food, etc.

The Ring will contain a Palisade, an adjustable Hurdle, a Long Jump and several blinds (at least six). (See Diagrams for the descriptions.)

Batons in good condition and of regulation dimensions, two revolvers with an adequate supply of blank ammunition, an object for the Guard of the Object, and quite a large quantity of various tidbits of food. A quality P.A. System and 12 colored cones, 3 cones of each color.

A table for the secretary must be set out, placed in such a way that the Judges can have access to it and still see the work taking place in the Ring, at which the P.A. System will be set up with easy access for the Judge or his assistant(s).

For the exercise of the Changes of Position, two lines will be drawn 18 meters apart and one meter long. The first will indicate the place where the dog will be left by the handler; the other will serve as the reference for the position of the handler while he gives his commands. Three or four additional lines will be drawn next to the first line at one meter intervals, so as to facilitate the evaluation by the judge of any possible movements of the dog from his original position during the changes.

For the Retrieves, Heeling, and Send Away, two lines 20 meters in length will be drawn parallel to each other and 30 meters apart. They must be easily visible. One of these lines will be used for the departure of the dog and the other for the arrival (in some exercises).

For the Attacks, two additional lines must also be drawn at 40 and then 50 meters from the departure line. In order to facilitate the progress of the exercises, it is necessary to mark the end points of these lines with posts, cones, or flags. It is necessary that the departure lines for the exercises be placed at least 5 meters from the public; and the line that the dog must cross in the Send Away must be at least 10 meters from the public.

For the Guard of the Object a point must be marked in the Ring, with four concentric circles drawn around it, the first with a radius of 1.5 meters from the point, the second with a radius of 2 meters, the third with a radius of 3 meters, and the fourth with a radius of 5 meters. The object to be guarded will be placed on the center point of the circles. For the objects to be used, check the section "Objects to be Guarded" (page 17).

For the signals of departure, cessation ("out"), and recall the Judge will be supplied with a horn. The horn must be loud enough to be heard throughout the Ring. A whistle cannot be used; that privilege is reserved for the Handlers.

There must be at least two entrances to the Ring - one for the Handler and dog, the other for the Decoys.

A place of concealment must be arranged to hide the Decoys while Obedience is taking place. This concealment must prevent the dogs from seeing the Decoys and must be placed at least 5 meters from the Ring.

No container which might distract the dogs from their work will be placed in, or adjacent to, the Ring (for tidbits of food, for example).

Outside of the Ring a blind will be arranged for the Handler and dog, in such a way that they can be hidden during the preparations for the Search exercise. A container of water will be provided in this blind.

The Club will hold a drawing to determine the order in which the competitors will work. If this drawing is held on a day prior to the event, the competitors will be informed of their order. If a competitor is not present when called upon to perform, he is eliminated and the entry fee will be forfeited.

If it is necessary, the competitors must be present in the morning to submit to the obligations of Veterinary Control, in accordance with the prevention of rabies. The Club must make any dispositions in this regard.

Bitches will work in the order determined by the drawing, unless a bitch is in heat, in which case she will automatically be last in the order of competition, at the end of the last day of the trial.

This drawing will be made in the presence of the competitors and will be run under the direction of the Judge.

After, a preliminary drawing will be held to determine the order of the Long Down, Changes of Position, Heeling on Leash and off, and Send Away (Category III).

The Retrieves and the Refusal of Food will be inserted by drawing lots between the exercises mentioned above.

After the drawing for all of the Obedience exercises is finished the drawing of the order of the Attacks will be performed (Face, Fleeing, Stopped, and Attack with Revolver).

The Guard of the Object, the Defense of the Handler, and the Search will be inserted by drawing lots between the Attacks.

The order of positions for the Changes of Position (sit, down, stand), and the starting position will also be drawn for. (In Category I, the starting positions can only be sit or down.)

Yet another drawing will determine whether the dog will sit or down during the Long Stay (Categories II and III)..

It is obligatory to pass a "Dog in White' before the beginning of the tests -- for each Category, and even on the morning following the first day of a trial in the event of a trial lasting two days, or even on the day after that in the event of a three-day trial.

The Jury will ask a dog who is not competing (i.e., the Dog in White) to perform all the exercises, in the order drawn, for the following reasons:

1) To establish a perfect understanding between the Judge, the Deputy Judge, and the Decoys. The Judge will thus have the opportunity to give the Decoys their instructions and then to adjust their work.

2) All competitors are equally treated -- none will work on completely fresh, unused grounds.

The tidbits used for the Refusal of Food must be varied and of a reasonable volume, as big as a fist at maximum. They will be composed of the following: raw or cooked meat, bones, fish heads, cheese, dry biscuit or sugar, with the majority being meat.

The baton shall be bamboo, 60 to 80 cm in length, and split through 3/4 of its length. The Decoy holds the unsplit end in his hand, taking care that no part of the handle end of the baton protrudes from his hand. The Judge must examine the batons for quality and consistency (batons fashioned of lath or reed are prohibited).

The blinds may be natural or artificial and made of anything on the condition that they cannot in some way harm the dogs. There must be a minimum of six, and they will be scattered about the Ring at least 2 meters away from the fence (to allow the Decoy to escape easily). The blinds should be 2 meters tall and 1.2 meters wide, made of two panels set at right angles to each other. The opening must be such as to prevent the Decoy from being visible to the dog from afar. In addition, the blinds must have eye holes or slits.

The ammunition must be loaded only with gunpowder (i.e., no pellets, bullets, or shot), of 6 mm, (.22) 9mm or .38 caliber, and there must be enough ammunition to allow for five gunshots per dog in the trial.

Voice commands must not be long or drawn-out, nor may the gestures associated with the commands (when authorized) be prolonged or this will constitute a double command. A double command will result in a zero for the exercise. The recall command may be given by voice or with a whistle. Recall commands are those concerning

For any order to call to heel a dog which is straying from his Handler. When picking a dog up (i.e., when the Handler walks to his dog), the Handler can use either the voice or his whistle as he chooses, this being different from a recall command. The same whistle must be used throughout the trial for all commands. In addition, the handler must inform the Judge whether he will use the whistle or voice.

Whistle commands are to be brief. All commands must be audible to the Judge and Deputy Judge. If the commands cannot be heard then the competitor will lose points for General Outlook.

The Deputy Judge must know both the Regulation Book and the program. His function is to tell the Judge all that he hears or sees (pertaining to the performance of the dogs and the conduct and handling of the Handlers during the trial). He will report to the Judge at the end of each exercise only if he has something relevant to say.

There will be three sheets for every dog in the trial -- one for the Handler, one for the Club, and one for the Judge.

The Ring Stewards are in charge of changing the heights and lengths of the obstacles in accordance with the heights or lengths of jump requested by the handlers. They will be at the service of the Jury to prepare all the accessories -- batons, guns, etc. -- and if necessary, to give the guns to the Decoys at the specified times. One of the Stewards will be required to throw food to the dogs in accordance with the instructions of the Judge. The Stewards will remain in the places specified by the Judge during the running of the exercises, so as not to disturb the progress of the trial.

The Jury is composed of several members, they are required to judge together and not separately. They must know the Regulations by heart and apply them. The Judges will be totally free to evaluate, and they must particularly modulate the work of the Decoys to suit the Category of the examination -- Ring I, II, or III.

It is the duty of the Judges to check the condition of the Decoys suits and batons, and also to ensure that they conform to the Rules.

Even when the total of deductions incurred during the execution of one exercise, or just a part of that exercise, exceed the maximum possible total of points attributed to the exercise, or to a part of the exercise, the Judges may not deduct more than the total of points normally allotted to that exercise (i.e., a dog who incurs 15 points worth of deductions in an exercise in which the maximum possible is 10 can only lose 10 points from his total score, not 15).

Each deduction corresponds to a fault or an incompetence on the part of the dog, or to a mistake made by the Handler in presenting his dog. These deductions must be known by every Handler, even beginners, who cannot compete without knowing the Regulations.

The decisions of the Jury are supreme in instances not planned for by the Regulations.

The Judges, and the Judges only, have absolute control over the progress of the trial. The beginning and end of all exercises (except the Long jump, if the dog executes it well) will be signaled by the Judges with a hand-held horn.

The Judges will ensure that the running of each exercise will be the same for all of the dogs in a trial. The circumstances must be the same for each and every competitor.

Pertaining to this, when the trial is divided into several sessions (morning and evening), the Judges can (for instance, for the exercises of Long Stay or of the Changes of Position) change the place of execution of an exercise according to the orientation of the sun or the condition of the field, etc.

In Category III, the entire program must be completed. The Handler may not forfeit, or abstain from attempting, any exercise. However, in Categories I and II the Handler is permitted to forfeit some exercises of the program.

The Judges will proceed, before each category of a trial, with the different drawings of lots specified by the Rule Book.

Finally, the Judges are required, when they compile the points awarded to a competitor in Ring III, to note on the Judges sheets the Qualification (rating) attained by the dog and his placement in the trial (lst, 2nd, 3rd, etc.), as well as his total obtained score. The Judges must, likewise, make the same notations in the competitor Scorebook, and sign both the Scorebook and the Judges sheets (score sheets).

The Judges MUST announce the points awarded, exercise by exercise and the organizing Club must provide a microphone for this purpose. The score sheets must be posted, within 15 minutes, outside the Ring after each dog's passage, for everyone to see. The Decoy is dressed in a protective suit, equipped, if necessary, with gloves and a helmet or mask protecting him against the bites of the dogs.

The role of the Decoy must not be improvised. The Decoy must, in order to properly carry out his role in the trial, have sufficient practice and experience, thoroughly know the Regulations and the program for each Category and each exercise, have knowledge and understanding for work of Utility Dogs, be able to maintain his self-control, have intelligence, tact, agility and ability.

The Decoy absolutely must never use brutality. He may use feints and dodges, and he may employ the baton in order to protect himself from the bites of the dogs according to the Regulations (see "Use of the Baton,').
Nevertheless, in any case, he may never touch the dog with the baton during the "barrage" (the "wall" of threat and discouragement with which the Decoy opposes the dog during the entry). Once the dog has bitten, the Decoy must work" the dog and strike him (without brutality) on his back in order to enable the Judges to evaluate the quality of his bite. Never, at any time, will the Decoy strive to throw the dog off or cause him to lose his bite through brute force. It is required of the Decoy that he have enough self-control to modulate his agitation according to the Category (I, II, and III) and to follow faithfully the instructions of the Jury.

When the Decoy employs the revolver he must shoot in the air (away from the dog) at an angle of about 45 degrees.

At the beginning of each Attack, the Decoy will be placed at from 10 to 20 meters from the dog, along the middle or median axis of the field, Selection Trials and the Final included.

The Decoy's suit must permit the dog to bite both the arms and the legs with a biting surface at least 7 cm in depth and 3 cm in width. The suit may be fashioned of jute or of linen or of any other material, on the condition that it will not present any hazard to the dogs (no external buckles, for example).

Each Handler must have a no open muzzle well-fitted to his dog for use during the Heel Off Leash exercise.

Any infraction, fraud, or attempt at fraud will be penalized according to the cases specified in the Regulations for cases not specified, the decision of the Judge will be supreme.

During the running of the exercises, the Handler must not carry anything in his hands, except in the circumstances where it is dictated by the Regulation. He must not drop anything from his pocket, or make any gesture which might be interpreted as a threat or a command to his dog. Otherwise, he will be penalized all of the points attributed to the particular exercise or to the specific part of the exercise during which the infraction was committed.

The Handler must not have or carry any type of stick, birch, or crop during the trial. Neither will his dog wear a collar of any type (except during the Heel on Leash exercise).

The Handler will be obligated to observe and listen respectfully to any critique in it's entirety and accept in a sportsmanlike manner each observation and decision made by the Jury. The fullest courtesy and sportsmanlike behavior must be exercised towards the members of the Jury, the Deputy Judge, the Decoys, Stewards and trial organizers. Each and every failure in the rules of courtesy before, during, and after the trial will carry sanctions ranging from temporary to indefinite exclusion

Any action by a Handler which would falsify the results of a trial will result, without prejudice to (i.e., not excluding) other possible sanctions, in the immediate suspension the of the Handler and his dog, and the confiscation of his Scorebook, and his entry fee, as well as any prizes eventually earned by the dog on that day. If the Judge does not feel it necessary to eliminate the Handler he may, according to the dictates of his conscience, deduct all or some of the points for General Outlook in proportion to the gravity and nature of the infraction or infractions committed.

It is forbidden for the Handler to bring his dog onto the field during any interruption of the trial for practice or any other purpose, upon penalty of expulsion from the trial.

It is the Handler's responsibility to ensure that his dog does not escape onto the field and in any way disturb the competition in the Ring. Any infraction of this rule will carry the penalty of expulsion from the trial.

The Handler must, as soon as he enters the Ring. introduce himself to the Judge with his dog at heel, without muzzle, collar or leash. The Handler will place his dog upon a spot determined by the Judge and indicated by the Deputy Judge. After his introduction, the Handler will present to the Judge his dog's Scorebook, without which he will be ineligible to participate in the trial.

After his introduction to the Judge, the Handler will furnish the Judge with the following information:

The Handler's name, the name of his Club, the Dog's name, breed, sex, the region the Handler represents, the nature of the object which he will use for his retrieves; the manner in which he will recall his dog (i.e., whistle or voice command). After the Presentation, while walking to the Jumps, the order in which he has decided to have his dog perform the exercises of Agility (i.e., Hurdle, Long Jump, Palisade) and also the height or the length he requests for those jumps.

It is recommended to the Handler, in the interest of encouraging a good performance by his dog, that he cause the dog to eliminate before he enters the Ring. If, in spite of this precaution, a dog eliminates during the routine, this will not be penalized. However, should the dog range everywhere on the field in order to lift its leg of its own free will or imagination, a deduction from the points of General Outlook will be left to the discretion of the Judge.

Definition: The General Outlook corresponds to the opinion given by the Jury on the entire presentation of the Handler and his dog.

To facilitate the formation of that opinion and in order to standardize the scores, a scale has been established for each Category of the trial and for Brevet. This scale is presented at the end of this Regulation Book, and the Jury will use it in accordance with the circumstances.

At the beginning of each exercise, the Handler will place his dog wherever the Deputy Judge indicates according to the following rules:

The Handler will be allowed only one command of placement ("sit," "down," "stand"), chosen at his own convenience or, for some exercises, as a function of the Regulations and the drawing of lots (i.e., Long Stay, Changes of Position, Refusal of Food).

This command of placement may be given with the voice or with a gesture, but not with voice and gesture. Also, the Handler may not place the dog by physically manipulating him, or by touching him in any way. In this event, the exercise in question will be scored a zero (annulled).

When placing the dog in the starting position the Handler may use four extra commands, for each of which 0.5 (1/2) point will be deducted from the exercise. If the dog is still not placed after the four extra commands, the exercise will be annulled.

If the dog is still not placed 30 seconds after the Handler s first command allowed him by the rules, the exercise will again be annulled, even if the four extra permissible commands have not yet been used.

When the Handler places his dog behind the line of departure, he may stand, at his convenience, to the right, to the left, or to the rear of the dog. However, he may never stand ahead of his dog shoulder, nor may the dog touch him.

The dog must also always be positioned facing down field on the attacks (i.e., in the direction of the exercise), under the penalty of annulment of the exercise.

Before the beginning of each exercise, the Handler will notify the Deputy Judge when he is ready. With a gesture, the Deputy Judge will transmit this information to the Judge.

Whatever the exercise, any departure of the dog before the authorization of the Judge will cause the exercise to be stopped immediately and the dog will receive a zero for that exercise.

1/ Placement only one obligatory command : X.. sit ; X.. down ; X .stand Followed by and facultative command like; Stay ; or ; Don't move ;.

After jump of the dog: one facultative command: stay; ; sit ; ; down ; stand ; place ;

After the signal of the judge: X jump ; X hop ; the handler has the possibility to give a placement command with the voice, gesture or both without penalty after authorization of the judge.

In case of the dog fails at the palisade the handler can give a command without authorization of the judge with only one command; sit, down ; stand ; stay ; place.

No commands are authorized in association with the food placed on the ground or in the obstacles.

Only one command of placement (the down is obligatory) is allowed, followed by one command for fixation of the dog ,"down-stay" or ; down-don t move ; ). There will be only one command for picking the dog up after the authorization of the Judge (i.e., "X... heel" or whistle).

The Handler may, before his command for the return jump, give one command of placement without any penalty. He is further allowed four more commands of placement at a penalty of 1/2 point each. The Handler is allowed no more than 30 seconds or four commands to prepare his dog for the return jump. If, at the end of those 30 seconds or the four commands, the dog cannot execute the return jump, the exercise is annulled.

In the case of a failed return jump on the Palisade, the Handler may stop his dog with one command only, without waiting for the Judge's authorization, so that the dog may try again.

An additional command after the return jump to recall the dog to finish position is allowed after the Palisade and the Hurdle, but will result in a deduction. -2

For these two exercises (and, as always, after the authorization of the Judge) there will be only one command at the departure (i.e., "X . . . Heel').

There will be only one command permitted for the Send Away, but it may be accompanied by a brief hand signal (i.e., "X . . . Away"). There will be only one recall command allowed (i.e., "X . . . Heel" or whistle). Extra commands will be penalized. –3 each

a) There will be only one command allowed for placement of the dog in the starting position (which is decided by drawing lots) and only one command of fixation. Then, in the order indicated by the Judge or Trial Chairman, the commands for sit, down, and stand (without the dog's name or any accompanying gesture).

b) Only one command is allowed for the recall ("X. . . Heel" or one short blast of the whistle). Note: It is not necessary that the dog return to heel; he may come fore or do anything so long as he comes within 1 meter of his handler and remains there.

The handler can use gesture to command the position without voice, but not both.

The Handler may give one command of placement and one command of fixation only ; X .down ; or ; X...sit ; and ; stay ; don't move ;.

b) Only one command is allowed after Handler and dog have crossed the 30 meter line, after the Judge's horn and the Handler and Dog have turned to face back the way they came ("X . . . Search and Bring.")

c) The Handler is authorized to give a brief gesture to command for the sit upon the dog's return with the Article.

d) Only one brief command is allowed to cause the dog to give the article up to the Handler ('Give" or "Out") once the dog is sitting.

b) One brief gesture is allowed for the sit. One brief command is allowed to cause the dog to release, once the dog is sitting.

a) Only one command is allowed to send the dog for the retrieve ("X . . . Search and Bring").

The Handler is authorized to give only one command for the attack ("X . . . Attack or "X. . . Get him").

The Handler is allowed to give only one command for the recall ("X . . . Out Heel or, if he has already let go, X ... Heel").

b) Upon the signal of the Judge, only one "out" command may be given ("X ... Out"). The Handler MUST give an additional command to guard after the dog has released ("X ... Out ... Guard") and a facultative command of position.

c) After the attempted escapes (Flights) and the Judge sounds his horn, the "freezing" of the Decoy when the handler commands "Out", the same commands are to be used, with the same restrictions.

d) After the Handler disarms the Decoy at the end of the exercise, he has to give one command ("X ... Heel").or whistle.

Only one command is authorized for the attack ("X ... Attack"). Extra commands for the attack are penalized-

The Handler is authorized to give one command for the departure at the beginning of the exercise ('X ... Heel").

At the authorization of the Judge, one command is authorized for the out ("X ...Out").

When the Judge signals that the exercise is finished, the Handler will give only one command to recall the dog ('X ... Heel").or whistle.

a) the object will be placed in the center; only one "Guard" command is allowed; before the "guard" command a "position" command may be given (facultative) : "X sit", "X stand", "X down". The command "Guard" is Mandatory" Direct Translation from the French Book"

Only one command is authorized for placing the dog without incurring a penalty, "X… Sit, Down, or Stand". One further command of fixation is required ("Guard'). Example: "X…. Down, Guard!" The Handler must give one command for heel after the Judge has signaled that the exercise is finished ("X ...Heel").

The Handler is permitted one command for the departure ("X ... Search and Bark"). At each Judge's horn, the Handler commands the dog to "Out", , only one command is permitted for the out ("X ...Out").

At the conclusion of the Escort, and after the authorization of the Judge, the group (Decoy, dog and Handler) will come to a halt, and the Handler is permitted to give one command to stop the dog ( X ... Out" or "X ... Stay") it has to be followed by only one command to the dog to guard ("Guard"). The Handler then walks to the Judge's table to deliver the revolver to the Jury, leaving his dog to guard the Decoy. He then returns to his dog. At the conclusion of the exercise, and only after the authorization of the Judge, there will be one command to bring the dog to heel ("X ... Heel"). Note: Except in the Out and Guard, all of the commands must be given closely together, in one breath, without pause, or they will be considered irregular commands. This note is very important. Even experienced handlers are easily misled. The Judge must be very strict on this point; if he is not, irregular commands will become a habit and some Handlers will "cheat" blatantly.

Regular placement: one of the three positions ( initial position) has to be chosen by the handler, after the handler gives the command of fixation and go behind the shoulders of his dog or command the initial position go behind the shoulders and give the command of fixation.

The dog swerves: The dog lets a space more than 20 cm between him and his handler.

The dog rebites: the dog outs and bites again after the end of the cessation command or the end of the whistle.

The dog is slow to out: The dog keeps his grip without lose of contact. The penalties are given in function of duration of the fault and after the cessation command or whistle.

The order of the Agility Exercises will be chosen by the Handler and indicated to the Judge at the time of the Handler's introduction to the Judge.

The Long Jump is only one way; that is, there is no return jump. For procedures involving placement, see the general rules of placement.

The dog must leap a frame on the ground which is two meters long, at least two meters wide, and .10 cm high. This frame will be equipped with a Key (Slant Board) at least 2.5 meters wide and 1 meter long. The Key straddles the frame at the end opposite the dog's starting point. One edge, that closest to the dog, rests on the ground while the other tilts up, being 30 cm from the ground at its highest point. The Key must be made in such a fashion that it rests on an axle, or in cradles, so that it will rock or tilt if the dog touches it during his jump ( sensitivity of the key : the key has to tilt with a weight over 1.3 kg and not under 0.8 kg). The Jump is only good or legal, if the Key is not seen to rock (excepted if it is with the tail).

The Handler will be allowed to place his dog in front of the obstacle in the position and at the distance, which he chooses. He will then leave his dog and go to stand in one of the squares (called a plate) which are drawn at the corners of the frame on the near side of the obstacle (i.e., opposite the Key, see Diagrams )

The specifications for the Long Jump concerning the location of the dog and the location of the Handler are identical to those for the Palisade and the Hurdle, save that in the Long Jump exercise there is no return jump.

The Handler and his dog are allowed just three attempts to successfully execute the Long Jump. However, the Handler may begin these attempts with any length of jump he chooses; he is not obliged to use the three attempts to reach or "work up to the maximum length. However, in case of a failed attempt, the Handler is not permitted to request either a shorter or a longer jump. He must repeat the same length of jump on which the dog failed.

The Judge will authorize the departure for the jump only if and when the dog is totally immobile and the Handler at his place. Upon the signal (horn beep) of the Judge, the Handler will command his dog to jump ('X ... Jump).

As soon as the jump has been completed, the Handler is free to move or to meet his dog behind the obstacle or to recall him, as he wishes. This exercise is regarded as completed without requiring the signal of the Judge's horn.

The points, which a dog obtains for a legal, successful jump, will remain unchanged regardless of any faults committed by the dog or his Handler during any following attempts at a greater length.

On the out jump, the only authorized commands are X ...Jump, X ... Go, or X ... Hup.

c) Of three round bars, placed in the top three cups of the brackets on each standard in such a manner that the top bar can be adjusted to heights from 0.9 m to 1.2 m each 5 cm by the expedient of sliding the brackets up and down on the posts. Whatever the height required for a particular jump, all three of these bars will be in place (i.e., the various heights are set not by removing or adding the bars, but by sliding the whole structure, brackets, bars and spurs, up and down the posts).

Firstly, heavy enough that they will not be rolled out of the cups by the wind or by the touch of the dog's tail as he clears the top bar.

Secondly, light enough to be knocked from the cups if the dog strikes them with his body or with his feet (weight of 1 bar : between 0.8 and 1.2 kg and diameter 3 cm, 2 colors, white and red in 10 cm segments).

Thirdly, rigid enough not to be easily bent and strong enough not to be broken when the dog hits them or when they fall.

The cradles (cups) which hold both the ends of the bars and also the spurs of the snare will be cupped just enough to hold the bars and the snare in place and to prevent them from falling under the effect of wind, but not more than this.

The dog must jump the Hurdle (both out-jump and return jump) without knocking down the bars or the snare. The possible heights will be from 0,90 m to 1.2 meters, ,5 cm by 5 cm.

In order to make a successful jump, the dog must clear the Hurdle without dropping (knocking down) any of the bars which surmount the snare, or the snare itself, both on the out jump and the return jump. In addition, on the return jump, For the out jump, the Handler will place his dog in front of the obstacle, in the position and on the spot, which he chooses.

He will then step inside one of the two rectangles drawn. He will command his dog to jump only after the authorization (horn beep) of the Judge.

The Regulations for the out jump in the Hurdle Exercise relating to placement of the dog and the Handler are identical to those for the Long Jump and the Palisade. However, after the dog has made his return jump and returned to the Handler, the Handler must wait for the authorization (horn beep) of the Judge before he can leave his place in the rectangle. The Handler will have three attempts altogether, all heights included, to properly execute the out jump over the Hurdle (i.e., if he uses all three attempts to complete a 1.0 meter jump, he is not allowed to go on to 1.05 meter or more). He is authorized to begin the exercise with whatever height he chooses. He is not obligated to use the three attempts to "work up" to the maximum height. However, in the event of a failed attempt, he will not be allowed to request a lower or a greater height for his next attempt; he must attempt the same height, which his dog failed.

Three attempts are allowed to complete the return jump as well. In the event of a failure on each of these three attempts at the return, the exercise is finished (just like the out jump; see preceding paragraph).

If the dog fails in the return jump, he must then execute the out jump again in order to re-attempt the return jump. In this event, the extra out jump is not included in the three regular out jump attempts (at least, if all goes well).

When his dog has cleared the bar on the out Jump (or landed on the far side), the Handler is permitted to give only one brief voice or gesture command in order to stop his dog and prepare him for the return jump. Any command involving both voice and gesture will result in forfeit of the points allotted to the return Jump.

Providing the dog is immobilized on the far side of the Hurdle, the Judge will give his authorization (beep) for the return jump. Just as in the out jump, as long as the dog has not come to a stop and become motionless, the Judge will not give his authorization for the return jump.

Once the Judge gives his authorization, the Handler may give one command of placement (with the voice and a brief gesture but without leaving his position) in order to place the dog in such a way as to obtain the best possible return jump without any deduction).

Should the Handler choose to make use of them, he is also authorized to give four further or additional commands of placement, at a penalty of 0.5 (1/2) point for each. If the dog is not properly placed to make the return jump after these four additional commands, or after 30 seconds regardless of whether or not four commands have been used, the exercise is terminated.

Once the command for the return jump is given, the dog who succeeds in the return must come to the Handler (within 1 meter) within 10 seconds following the "landing." In the event that the dog does not come to his Handler, one recall command only is authorized after the return jump; however, this extra command will be penalized. -2

The points obtained in a successful jump or part of a jump (out or return) will remain intact regardless of any errors committed in successive attempts by either dog or Handler. During the different attempts at the Hurdle, the Handler must always place himself on the same side of the obstacle.

On the out jump, as in the return jump, the only authorized commands are: "X ... Jump," "X ... Go" and "X ... Hop." hurdle: Points Obtained in a Successful jump