Independent Hunting – working at a distance from the handler:

The handler will stand in a designated location at a specific minimum distance (by level) from the hide location. The dog will start the search from the handler’s designated location.  Handler will remain in the designated location until the dog locates the hide.   Handler may exit the designated location to reward.  If using isolated objects (such as chairs or boxes) in an empty area, there should be at least 6 objects.

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

# of hides: 1

Preferred off-leash

Using a string, a single hide will be suspended in the air at a designated height (by level).  The hide may be suspended from a string hanging down from a single point, or a string tied between two objects with the hide located in the middle of the string.  If the hide is below the height of the dog’s head, it is recommended that you suspend from a single point to minimize the potential of the dog becoming entangled with the string. The vessel (flex tube or tin) containing the swabs should be no larger than .25oz slide tin (approx 2 in. x 1 in. x 3/8 in).

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

# of hides: 1

Preferred off-leash

This challenge requires the dogs to find multiple hides (# of hides designated by level) within the designated time limit. If using isolated objects (such as chairs) in an empty area, there should be at least 15 objects. Boxes/Containers are not to be used for this challenge. There are no other requirements regarding the distance between hides or location of hides.

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

# of hides: Designated by level

Preferred off-leash

This challenge requires the dogs to demonstrate competency at container searches. Each level will require the dog to demonstrate skills similar to the skills required at NW1/NW2/NW3 container searches.

• There will be 12 containers in 2 rows of 6. 
• Containers should be cardboard or plastic, square or rectangular containers, of any size. (Folding flaps on 4 flap cardboard boxes is OK). You may use a variety of types of containers.
• The containers must be closed. 
• Venting of the containers using small holes in the lids is at your discretion.  
• Spacing between containers is also at your discretion.
• Distractors may be in a container (like a tupperware) within the designated container, however the tupperware lid should be vented with holes.

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

# of hides: Designated by level

Preferred off-leash

Details:  Using one passenger vehicle (car or truck), place the required number of hides based on the level.  All hide placements must be in the specific location based on the level.  All wheel hides must be placed either behind a spoke on the hubcap or on the front of the brake rotor.

 # of hides: Designated by level

Time limit: 2 minutes 

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler.

Details:  Set a blank search area (Interior or Exterior).  If using an empty area (such as a training building or empty exterior)  there must be at least 15 objects in the search area.  Boxes/Containers/Luggage (paint cans, plastic containers, cardboard boxes of any kind) should not be used in the number of objects.  We recommend you select the size of your search area to be appropriate given the time limits - larger may be better in many cases.  If you have a smaller space, it is acceptable for the dog to cover the area multiple times to reach the time limit.  

The handler may move with the dog in order to facilitate actively covering the entire search area the required minimum of one time. 

 # of hides: 0

Time limit: Designated by Level - Time Limited Listed in Judging section is for Level 1 only

Preferred off-leash

Details:  Set two hides the required distance apart at the height levels designated for each level.  Hides should not be in any type of container (paint cans, plastic containers, cardboard boxes of any kind). 

 # of hides: 2

Time limit: 2 minutes 

Preferred off-leash

Details:  An inaccessible hide in this challenge is defined as a hide that the dog cannot physically access. Depth of the hide for all levels should be a minimum of 18 inches in all directions and recommended no more than 3 feet. The height of the hide is recommended to be below 3 feet. This inaccessible challenge excludes contained type hides like hides inside drawers, cupboards or file cabinets. The dog must clearly demonstrate that he understands the location of the hide.

# of hides: 1

Time limit: 2 minutes 

Preferred off-leash

Time Limit: 2:30 min

The purpose of this challenge is to demonstrate that the dog understands and can work containers elevated off of the ground. 

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler.

Hide Parameters:   Containers will be placed on objects that are elevated between a minimum of 16 inches and a maximum of 20 inches.  Containers should be laid out in a U shape.

• Objects may include but are not limited to chairs, benches, bleachers, cinder blocks or cinder block wall.  
• Objects do not all have to be the same but containers must sit between the height parameters listed above.
• Containers should be cardboard or plastic, square or rectangular containers, of any size. (Folding flaps on 4 flap cardboard boxes is OK). You may use a variety of types of containers.
• The containers must be closed. 
• Venting of the containers using small holes in the lids is at your discretion.  
• Spacing between containers is also at your discretion.

Time limit: 2:30 min  

The purpose of this challenge is to show that the dog can move on from hides to find other hides without repeated communication.

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler.

Hide Parameters: Hides at all levels should be sourceable and may or may not be visible to the dog.

The hides should be set in an area that has multiple hide location options. For example: a room in your home, the storage area at a training facility, an outdoor area with bushes and trees or picnic tables. It should not be a few isolated objects in the middle of an empty space.

Space between hides should be relatively open to allow for converging odor. If there are objects in between the hides, they should not be large and solid. For example: a coffee table in the middle of the space would be fine, a full size car would not be OK. 

The purpose of this challenge is to show that the dog can identify the location of a hide in or at  ground level without handler assistance or alerting on nearby objects.

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler.

Hide Parameters:  

• Hides at all levels should be set outside in an exterior area.  
• Hides should be sourceable to the dogs. 
• Visibility should be minimal. 
• The hides should be placed at or below ground level. 
• Hides should not be buried..  
• Hides should not be in any types of Containers (boxes, tool boxes, etc).

Search Area Parameters:

• Hard surface area (concrete, asphalt, packed gravel, etc).  Objects may include curbs, parking bumpers or other objects.
• Soft surface area (grass, dirt, wood chips, etc).  Objects may include bushes, tress, light poles or other objects.

The purpose of this challenge is to evaluate the dog’s ability to efficiently and methodically work a search. 

Dogs should find hides in order as they encounter them without passing a hide.

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler.

Hide Parameters:  Hides at all levels should be sourceable and may or may not be visible to the dog.   Hides may not be placed in containers such as boxes but instead may be on chairs, stools, or other items.  You may use a variety of objects for this search.

Time Limit: 2:30 min

The purpose of this challenge is to demonstrate that the dog understands and can work containers with distractors.

Hide Parameters:   

• Search may be an interior or exterior search on any flat surface
• There will be a designated number of containers, based on level, in a straight line . 
• Containers should be cardboard or plastic, square or rectangular containers, of any size. (Folding flaps on 4 flap cardboard boxes is OK). You may use a variety of types of containers.
• The containers must be closed. 
• Venting of the containers using small holes in the lids is at your discretion.  
• Spacing between containers is also at your discretion.
• Distractors may be in a container (like a tupperware) within the designated container, however the tupperware lid should be vented with holes.

Time limit: 2:30 min  

The purpose of this challenge is to show that the dog can differentiate between the suspended source of odor and the pooling odor on objects on the ground below the hide.  

The handler may move in support of the dog’s behavior/movement but should not lead the dog to new or productive areas.

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler

Hide Parameters:  Using a string, a single hide will be suspended in the air at a designated height (by level).  The hide may be suspended from a string hanging down from a single point, or a string tied between two objects with the hide located in the middle of the string.  

If the hide is below the height of the dog’s head, it is recommended that you suspend from a single point to minimize the potential of the dog becoming entangled with the string. 

The vessel (flex tube or tin) containing the swabs should be no larger than .25oz slide tin (approx 2 in. x 1 in. x 3/8 in)

Time Limit:  2:00 minutes

The purpose of this challenge is to show the dog can source a hide deep under an object.

The handler may move in support of the dog’s behavior/movement but should not lead the dog to new or productive areas.

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler.

Hide Parameters:  Using a table that is at least three feet by three feet with four legs, set one hide in the middle, underside of the table in an interior or exterior search area. Chairs may be required by level.  A minimum of at least five other objects must be included in the search area.  The table and chairs should not be the only objects in the search area.   Dog should actively work under the table based on levels and accessibility.  If chairs are required the chairs must fill the side of the table they are placed on.  If the table is a long rectangle, more chairs will be required to fill the space.

This challenge requires the dogs to find multiple hides (# of hides designated by level) within the designated time limit outdoors on objects on a natural surface that can include Grass, Dirt, Wood Chips, Rocks, Sand and may be a combo of any natural surface.  Natural surface would not include asphalt or concrete or other man made surfaces. 

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

 # of hides: Designated by level

Time limit: Designated by level

Preferred off-leash but may be run on leash with no assistance from the handler.

Hide Parameters:  If using isolated objects (such as chairs) in an empty area, there should be at least 15 objects. The hides must be placed on objects for this challenge  Objects may include items already in the search areas such as trashcans, benches, picnic tables, light poles or other outdoor objects or may be items placed in the area such as chairs, storge tubs, etc..  

Boxes/Containers are not to be used for this challenge. There are no other requirements regarding the distance between hides or location of hides.