RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF
K9NOSEWORX-BOP TRACKING TRIALS

(based on ANKC rules)
 

  Track and Search Trial-Level 1.
 
INTRODUCTION
The idea of these trials is to encourage dogs to make use of their scenting abilities by simulating as closely as possible, the tracking and finding of a missing person and their possessions.
 
EQUIPMENT
(A) All tracking tests must be conducted with the dog in a harness suitable for tracking. The lead should be a minimum length of ten (10) metres and connected to the harness. The lead should be held by the Handler while the dog is tracking. Dropping the lead temporarily is acceptable, provided that the dog remains under control.
 
(B) All articles used must belong to the Tracklayer or be supplied by the host, they should not be larger nor smaller than an adult-sized work sock or glove. All articles shall have been sighted by and deemed acceptable to the Judge, or their delegate, prior to despatching of the Tracklayer.
 
(C) The Finish Article, if used in place of the Tracklayer, must not be larger than a normal sized T-shirt, and folded twice. It must be inconspicuous in colour and acceptable to the Judge or their delegate prior to the despatching of the Tracklayer.
 
D) There must be a starting peg at the beginning of each track.

E) The starting flag/s must be a minimum of thirty (30) metres from roads, fences, rivers or other permanent barriers.

(F) The suitability of all tracking equipment and rewards shall be left to the discretion of the Judge or their delegate.
(G) No markers or equipment indicating the track shall remain in place during the testing of a dog.

 
TRACKLAYER

(A) The Tracklayer shall be a person approved by the Judge. 
(B) A known person shall be any person known to the dog, and nominated by the Handler. 
C) The articles to be used by the Tracklayer are to be with the Tracklayer for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes prior to laying the track so that their scent may be imparted on to them. 
(D) The Tracklayer must place the articles on the track at the places nominated by the Judge, one
article to be at the commencement of each track in addition to the other articles required. All articles
must be placed on the track, but not on a turn nor within a minimum of thirty (30) metres before or
after a turn. 
(E) The Judge will, when the track has aged sufficiently, take the Handler and dog to approximately ten metres from the starting line, and give the Tracklayer scented article in a bag to the handler. The scented article is removed by the Handler, who is then free to start tracking.
 (F) The Tracklayer will walk at a normal pace and must not scratch the ground or stop unnecessarily
whilst laying the track.
(G) The Tracklayer must follow the track, which has been marked out earlier, collecting all
flags/markers on the way with the exception of one at the start of the track.
(G) At the end of each track the Tracklayer must make themself as inconspicuous as possible and remain still and silent. The Tracklayer need not remain at the end of the track, subject to the approval of the Member Body, but must be in place when the Handler completes the track. If the Tracklayer leaves the finish, an article must be left in place.


GENERAL

(A)There is no time limit, provided the dog is working. It is the Judge’s responsibility to position themself so that they may properly evaluate the dog’s performance and to ensure that the dog is given adequate time and distance to work out scenting problems.
(B) Failure to obey the Judge's instructions will lead to disqualification.
(C) The test is completed when the Tracklayer or finish article is found, or in the event of failure, when the Handler is redirected to the correct track. 
(D) No person other than the Tracklayer shall be permitted within a minimum of thirty (30) metres
of the track.
(E) The Handler must not be given any assistance by the Judge or any other person. 
(F) If a dog is not tracking it must not be marked "pass" even though it may have found the Tracklayer. 
(G) If the track is set out by a Steward, it is desirable that the Steward who accompanies the Judge
should be the person who set out the track.
(H) The minimum distance of the track to any fence or defined boundary shall be five (5) metres.
(I) No track shall cross a permanent body of water, such as a dam, lake or river. 
(J) The minimum distance between any parallel legs of any parts of the same or separate tracks must
be one hundred (100) metres 
(K) The track may not be used again on the same day in Level 1 tests. 
 (L) The minimum time lapse between the Steward setting out the track, and the Tracklayer walking it
must be six (6) hours.
(M) At the Handler’s option, the dog may be given the scent during the track, the Judge will not
penalise such instances although the dog that is constantly given the scent will lose points.
(N) Handlers may speak to their dogs during the track. The Judge may penalise if they considered
such talk excessive. 
(O) Reprimands either physical or verbal will not be tolerated. Reprimands will be severely penalised. 
(P) Spectators may be permitted to follow a track only with the permission of both the Judge and the
Handler and shall not be permitted to approach closer than forty (40) metres to the Judge when the
dog is working.
(Q) Spectators shall follow instruction or direction given by the Judge or the designated Steward, and
shall not impede, nor guide, nor influence in any manner the Handler or dog. Spectators who do not
follow direction of the Judge or the designated Steward may be directed to cease following the track.
(R) All Judges shall have a Steward in attendance during the judging of a track and the Steward shall
receive and follow instruction from the Judge.
 
 
         
TRACKING DOG LEVEL 1 – Known Person
 
The dog is required to track a known person for approximately 400 metres, and the Handler may nominate the Tracklayer.
The track will have two changes of direction of between approximately 30 and 90 degrees, (refer diagrams 1 and 2), the first change of direction to be a minimum of 100 metres after the start.
One article will be placed on the track, as nominated by the Judge; this article does not have to be indicated to gain a pass.
The minimum time for the commencement of the track must be 20 minutes and the maximum 45 minutes, from the time the track is laid.
The Tracklayer or finish article must be found at the end of the track for the dog to obtain a pass.
 
 
GRADINGS
The following evaluation will be given for:
 
Pass/Fail
 
Pass              50-70% completed
Good             70-80% completed
Very Good     80-90% completed
Excellent        90% plus completed
 
 
 
ARTICLE SEARCH-LEVEL 1
                      
    5 minutes-Dog to Locate Handler.
 
 A 40 meter search area will be marked out on a level piece of grassy ground with a minimum of 10
and a maximum of 15 hides, hides to be large enough for the handler to be invisible to the dog
when hiding behind them.
 
 All the handler and dog teams will be required to walk over the ground prior to the searches being
held and after the hides have been placed.
 
The handler will leave the dog with the Steward or handler nominated person, the dog will be placed so it cannot see the handler leave, and the handler will move briskly to the nominated hide. The dog will be released 5 seconds after the handler has gone out of sight.
 
The Steward or nominated person may give the dog one prearranged command prior to releasing the dog.
 
The handler is to remain quiet until the dog has found them behind the hide, any verbal cues given prior to the find will be penalised.
 
The search concludes when the handler takes hold of the dog and calls the find.
 
 
GRADINGS
 
Pass.
Any dog which finds the handler within the search time is deemed to have passed the search test.
 
Fail
Any dog which fails to find the handler, or leaves the search area permanently, is deemed to have failed the search test.
 
 
A TD-Level 1 award will require both elements of the test to be completed at the same trial at a Pass or better level.