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RH 1 TRIAL RULES 

IRO - INTERNATIONAL SEARCH & RESCUE PROGRAM

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All exercises are for demonstration purposes only, but portray the actual work for the individual exercises.

KEY ASPECTS OF OBEDIENCE
F-Tracking / FL – Area Search / T- Rubble

The obedience exercises are the same for All of these disciplines. The Breakdown of exercises is as follows:

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  • On-Leash Heeling the same as for IPO with gun shot

  • Group of people (On-Leash) with 2 neutral dogs in the mix

  • Down with recall – same as IGP

  • ***NEW*** Change of Position – see referenced slides.

  • Down under Distraction – same as IGP

  • Carry and Handover – this has also changed to only 10 paces for both handler and assistant.

  • Crossing unpleasant Material

  • Tunnel with Sash

  • Bridge – Now called “Board” the ramps have been eliminated

On Leash Healing

  • This Exercise is exactly like that of the BH Pattern in IGP work.
  • The TJ gives the directive to start the exercise. Everything else, such as turns, halt, change of pace etc., is executed without the directive of the TJ or TC.
  • At the beginning of the exercise, the RDT goes out 50 steps on the middle line straight on at normal pace without stopping; during this phase there is the gunshot.
  • After an about turn and an additional 10-15 steps at normal pace, the RDT has to demonstrate a minimum of 10 steps each in fast and slow pace respectively.
  • The change of pace from running to slow has to be done without intermediate steps. The individual gaits need to be clearly distinguishable in the tempo of D and DH.
  • Afterwards, the RDT takes several normal steps and without a change in pace and does the first turn with a leg of 20-25 steps, the second turn with a leg of 25-30 steps, an about turn, additional 10-15 normal steps as well as a basic position.
  • After additional 10-15 normal steps, a turn and 20-25 steps at a normal pace take the RDT back to the middle line, then another basic position.
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RH1 F/FL/T
Obedience and Dexterity (cont)

Group Exercise is done on-leash only once - previously it was done twice off leash
  • The dog is on leash. Execution Before the DH goes into the group the group halts at judge's instructions. From the basic position the RDT walks at normal pace counter clockwise around the circle of people at a close distance in such a way that the D directly meets each dog in the group.
  • The RDT stops once, whereby the group continues moving and where at least one person and both dogs pass the RDT. At the judge's instruction the group halts.
  • Then the DH walks at normal pace with his dog through the group according to the sketch, and walks around one person left and one right. Walking around the persons is always done around the persons with dog. Afterwards the DH halts in the center of the group, the group starts to move again.
  • Then the DH leaves the group and ends the exercise. After ending the group exercise, the dog is taken off leash

     

Group Exercise

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Group Exersize

Group Exersize

Play Video

Down with Recall

  • From the basic position, the DH goes with his off-leash healing dog straight on. After 10-15 steps, the D has to lie in the direction of movement when given the AC and/or VC "down" without the DH breaking stride or turning around

  • After an additional approx. 30 steps walking straight ahead, the DH stops and turns to his dog that is calmly lying down

  • At the instruction of the judge, the DH calls the D with the AC or VC to "recall"

  • The D is to come happily and at a fast pace to his DH and sit close in front

  • On AC, the D has to go into basic position

Change of Position

  • As per the rules the dog must Jump up on table – 10 steps from table - 

  • Variables as follows are what is permitted in the following sequential order:

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  • Also, as per the FCI IPO2019 Update from FEB 3, 2021, there is no point deduction if the dog does not assume the position given as long as all positions are subsequently shown and done correctly.

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Stand/Sit/Down/Stand/Recall  

Sit/Down/Stand/Sit/Recall

Down/Stand/Sit/Down/Recall

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Down under Distraction

  • The D has to lie calmly without influence by the DH, who goes 40 paces away facing the dog, while the other D shows the exercises 1-4.

  • After the end of the 4th exercise of the second RDT, the DH finishes this exercise at the judge's instruction. While the second dog executes the other exercises,

  • The DH remains with his D at the down area or at a spot indicated by the TJ. During this, it is allowed to leash the D.

  • Evaluation- If the D leaves the down place by more than 3 meters after the ending of exercise 2 of the D being shown, the exercise is evaluated as insufficient;

  • If the D leaves the down area prior to the completion of exercise 2 by more than 3 meters, the exercise is scored with 0 points;

  • If the D does not assume the down position but rather stands or sits, however remains at the down area, the exercise is devalued by 5 points.

Carry and Handover

  • Here the rules of the transport have changed, whereby no longer are 30 plus 30 paces required for handler and assistant but only 10 paces each for handler and assistant

  • Remember by law due to the Disability Act, we may NOT ask a handler why  they cannot carry their dog. Unfortunately, it still an automatic 5 point deduction, which I have disputed vehemently, as a dog can be carried by two strangers, they should get 5 additional points or not lose any at all!

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CROSSING UNPLEASANT MATERIAL

  • The DH assumes the basic position with his D in front of the area. With the command to “heel”, the DH steps on the area and goes with his off leash D one time over and back, whereby a halt has to be demonstrated on the return portion.

  • Here the D has to sit quickly.

  • After leaving the area the DH assumes the basic position with his D.

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Obedience & Dexterity (cont)
Tunnel

  • The team takes up the basic position at the start - both verbal & hand signals are permitted. Dog must go through the entire tunnel with a 6' sash and exit full body length and turn facing the handler. Many dogs face in the direction of exiting which is very minimal in any point deduction.
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Traversing Elevated Board

  • The DH assumes the basic position with his off leash D in front of the obstacle.
  • At the AC and/or VC to “mount”, the D is to jump onto the board and at an AC to immediately “remain in place” in the direction of movement.
  • At the instruction of the TJ, the DH goes to the side of the D, gives the AC or VC to “Go on” and accompanies the D up to the final basic position.
  • There he stops and his dog independently assumes the basic position.
  • The D has to go the entire length of the wooden board without any fear or being erratic.
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Additional Information for Handler Accessories

  • Handler may wear a vest with pockets, as we need to carry certain items, such as gloves, eye protectors for helmet if the area being search is dangerous – rubble or thick wooded area for instance, flashlight for dark rooms if a fixture (shed, etc.)  is in the woods or definitely for rubble/compass/GPS. Anything appropriate to effectively do safe work. Sturdy shoes are a MUST for rubble work. And of course wear appropriate clothing for the type of work. (Nathaniel please confirm judges may also!)

  • Must carry a backpack during search work – not in obedience - . Imperative they have water/dog bowl/first-aide kit also appropriate for dogs/anything for a tourniquet/ Benadryl for bee stings/tick-bug spray/extra leash/muzzle in the event the dog gets injured, (not to be used for the carry), etc.

Additional Information for Dog Accessories

  • Dog may wear a vest during obedience and especially for search work unless rubble, as this can be dangerous if he gets hooked on something like a piece of pipe or anything protruding through the rubble. It is at the handler’s discretion in obedience work.

  • Must use a break-away collar if doing Bringsel work.

  • May wear booties in rubble work. Some dogs find it a hinderance.

  • Be mindful of certain areas in the US that have prickly grasses – such as in Texas – Goatheads that can actually puncture care tires. Give the handler time to clean the dog’s feet. I do not take that into consideration against the time element.

Alert Work for all Phases

  • The dog may not leave the victim at any time during the barking phase.

  • For the Recall/Refind, the dog must display a clear signal to the handler that he found the victim when returning to the handler – he can jump on him/sit in front/ pull at a tug affixed to the handlers vest, etc.

  • The Bringsel dog, must hold the bringsel in its’ mouth and sit in front of the handler. Any length of leash may be used to have the dog go back to the victim by the most direct route. In thick underbrush I always advise to use a shorter leash, as a long line would get terribly tangled.

  • The Passive Indication – Dog tracks on a long line or without and must lie down when indicating the victim.

Bark Alert
(F, FL, T, MT)

  • When barking the dog orients himself definitively to the victim and should bark independently, continuously and directly until the judge allows the handler to approach his dog.

  • If the dog leaves the victim briefly but returns independently, the score is satisfactory. However, a second time results in insufficient.

  • If he fails to go back at all, then it is scored as zero.

  • The dog must bark continuously and directly towards the victim for 15 seconds and not touch him or bother him in any way.

  • Any assistance or prompting from either the handler or victim to alert is scored with zero.

  • When the handler reaches the dog, he may, at his discretion call the dog back to him or picks him up and places him in a basic position.

Passive Indication
for Tracking (F) and Man-Trailing (MT)

  • For RH1 the alert is shown outside of the tracking area. In other words, the dog tracks first, then must demonstrate a passive indication afterwards. This is done so as not to take the dog’s focus off of tracking.

  • The handler may interrupt the tracking to clean the dog’s eyes/nose/head if the situation warrants. However, this goes against the overall time allotted to complete the track. This applies to all levels and all disciplines. The dog’s needs must be met given the conditions under which he has to work.

  • Both in tracking and man-trailing this style of alert is permitted, as in either case the handler is able to determine when the victim has been found when the line goes slack and the dog is no longer in movement.

Execution for Passive Indication
(F) and (MT)

  • Execution - F – During the Passive indication the dog remains lying down, sitting or standing at the article or FHL. The D has to show this behavior until the DH has  reached the article or the victim. The dog has to show a clear behavior style so that the alert is definitively clear. The D has to assume the chosen position immediately and behave calmly at the VP without bothering him.

  • Execution – MT – The DH must clearly recognize the alert and directly and clearly identify the missing person. The DH reports the executed alert to the TJ and may only approach the D at the directive of the TJ.

Recall Re-find
(F, FL, T)

  • In this style of alert, the dog runs back and forth between the victim and handler.

  • He has to announce the find to his handler in any manner he chooses – jumping up on the handler, barking at him, circling him, sitting in front, make eye contact.

  • He must bring the handler directly back to the victim.

  • He may not be put on leash, but work independently.

  • Please note that this style of alert is not widely used in Rubble (T) due to possible injuries it can inflict. However, it is permitted.

Bringsel

  • In this scenario, the dog has a small braided item attached to a break-a-way collar for safety.

  • The dog is dispatched to located the victim and once located takes the Bringsel in his mouth and returns to the handler.

  • The handler then takes the Bringsel and puts the dog on leash.

  • The dog has to bring the handler by the most direct way back to the victim.

  • It is advisable to have the handler carry a second Bringsel in his backpack in the event the original one is pulled off by brush or other means

Alert Work for all Phases

  • The handler may no longer drop the backpack as a marker to return to their original place of the alert announcement. This is usually more for the higher levels A and B. It is imperative that they carry the backpack at all times even V.

  • They may leave anything else as a  marker that stands out from the terrain. Again this is mostly utilized in higher RH levels.

  • The backpack should carry – water/first aid kit(suitable for both human and K9 injuries)/extra leash/thermal blanket/head lamp/gloves/compass amongst any other essential item(s) depending on terrain and discipline.

Final Comments

  • As our main focus is predominantly on the ALERT work, we don’t need the precision we see in Obedience/Dexterity as in IGP work. The dog must still show a solid work ethic, but minor faults are not as heavily weighted.

  • The RH work is designed to ensure that the dog can fulfill the two most important elements in searching no matter what discipline:

  • Independence and Control – the Alpha and Omega of search work for our  International Venue!

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