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ODOR RECOGNITION TEST (ORT)
UPDATE: Effective June 1, 2011 the 'Fringe' call will be eliminated. Dogs will not be given the option to retest at the end of the day.
Trial entry requires that handler/dog teams must have passed the appropriate Odor Recognition Test (ORT) in advance of the trial. The purpose of the ORT is to verify that the dogs know the target odor (scent) used in competition. Successful passage of an ORT requires a dog to identify the location of the target odor and the handler to correctly call an 'alert' (or equivalent) within a three-minute time period. The Odor Recognition Test must be judged by an NACSW sanctioned ORT judge, who could be an approved K9 detection handler, a CNWI and/or other qualified person at the discretion of the board of NACSW. A Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) may judge an ORT as long as it is not for current students. The Odor Recognition Test will also have a NACSW approved Certifying Official to ensure the test is correctly setup and run by the NACSW rules.
Competition organizers must disclose on the entry form the designated target odor(s) that will be used and the titles available for entry at their trial. A trial may be held for only one level of title, or up to three title levels depending on location parameters and time constraints. Trials for non-titling may also be held, but must designate an odor, or odors, at the time trial registration opens.
The Odor Recognition Test is a box drill type exercise. The ORT requires 12 closed, but vented, cardboard boxes set up in a pattern of one or two rows with each box set a minimum distance of 48” apart from box edge to box edge. The NACSW official may approve adjustments depending on space and location limitations. The ORT is to be conducted on leash and no deliberate distractors should be included. One of the boxes will be the ‘target box’, which will contain the target odor being tested. If multiple odors are being tested at an event, each odor will be tested individually. All of the other boxes should be reasonably new, and uncontaminated by odor, food, or other distracting smells. The target box should contain a small (2 oz approx), vented container of scented cotton swabs that is not visible to the handler and is secured to the inside of the box. Handlers should prepare for variation in strength and quantity of cotton swabs. The recommended standard box should not exceed 6” in height, but may otherwise have variation of the dimensions. We recommend a lidded box with the following dimensions: 11-1/8" x 8-3/4" x 4." Other boxes however may receive pre-approval by the NACSW.
The target box shall remain in the same place for all of the dogs participating in that ORT, except for handlers running a second dog or ORT events where multiple odors are being tested. The ORT shall be conducted out of sight of all entered dogs and handlers who have not yet tested. Once all handlers/dogs have completed the ORT, handlers may run a second dog on the ORT after the target box has been moved to a new position. The same applies to ORTs for the second and third odors to be tested. There may be lingering odor in the case of multi-dog or multi-odor tests depending on space limitations. The certifying official will make the best effort to eliminate or minimize these conditions, but handlers should be aware that the possibility exists.
No spectators are permitted in the search area during the ORT except NACSW officials, ORT staff, adults accompanying a minor, CNWI in training, or immediate family members/friends of the dog/handler team being tested. Handlers participating in the ORT may not be a spectator for another team. No videotaping or photography of the ORT is permitted except for official documentation by NACSW officials.
The NACSW certifying official will provide a ‘handler’s briefing’ to review the test and location parameters. At the start of the ORT, the judge’s steward may briefly reiterate the instructions just outside the search area. The ORT must be conducted on-leash. A start point (threshold) will be indicated, and the handler may take up to 10 seconds at the threshold before beginning their search. The time starts when the handler either gives the search cue, or the dog’s nose crosses the threshold. The handler and dog may pass up and down the rows in any pattern as many times as they choose. Handlers may direct the dog to the boxes, but may not actually touch the boxes. When the dog indicates the target box the handler should signal the judge by saying “ALERT” loudly and clearly. Once the judge has confirmed that the alert is correct, the handler may then reward the dog and the dog will pass the ORT. If the dog fringes (one box away on the same row), the judge will say ‘Fringe’ and the handler will have more time to help the dog find the correct box successfully. In this case, the dog will not pass the ORT, but the team may retest after all other dogs have completed the ORT if time permits at the discretion of the organizer. If the dog is more than one box away, the judge will direct the handler to the correct box* for the dog’s success. In this case the dog will not pass the ORT for that target odor. If a dog doesn’t pass, they cannot re-test on the same day and must wait until the next scheduled ORT. ORTS are scheduled as needed by NACSW and trial organizers.
The test may be stopped at the discretion of the judge if at any time the judge deems the dog to be under undue stress.
*The goal of directing the dog to the correct box quickly is to avoid any possible stress for any dog due to prolonged searching in the event they either don’t know the odor, or are having difficulty that day.
ORT – Summary
- 3-minute test
- On-leash (any length leash)
- Equipment: flat collar or harness (i.e. traditional, tracking or attached to top of sensation harness). No chekes, pinc collars, electronic collars, no-pull harnesses or head halters during the actual search.
- 12 closed but vented, cardboard boxes in a line-type pattern (minimal variation may be necessary due to location specs). 11-1/8" x 8-3/4" x 4 is a typical size
- Boxes may not be touched by handlers during the test
- 1 target odor per test
- Each additional odor at the test event will be a separate test
- Handlers with a second dog will have a separate test
- Time begins when handler gives search cue OR dog’s nose crosses threshold
- No formal, final response is required, only the handler’s ability to read the dog’s indication.
- Handler says “ALERT” when dog has indicated target box
- Handler may reward the dog when the judge has confirmed the correct target box. Please reward just next to the box to minimize contamination. (Also please try to minimize food dropped on the floor)
ORTs Required:
The ORTs may be achieved in any order and may also be done on the same testing day in separate tests if so organized by the sponsoring agency. If, however, a handler wishes to compete for a title, they must achieve the ORT for the first title level, NW1, which is birch since the titles much be achieved in succession. Handlers will receive a certificate indicating the ability of dog to recognize the required odor and a record of their test will be kept on file with NACSW.
ORT (Birch): Must certify on Odor #1; required for NW1 eligibility
ORT (Anise): Must certify on Odor #2; required for NW2 eligibility
ORT (Clove): Must certify on Odor #3; required for NW3 eligibility
PLEASE SEE TRIAL RULE BOOK TO CONFIRM MOST UPDATED RULES REGARDING ORTs.
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