Challenge Name: 2024 Skills Achievement Challenge
Start Date: 02/01/2024

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Please carefully review the Skill details below before submitting your Entry Form
1.Containers with Distractors
 Description

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: 2.5 minute(s)
 Submission

1) Photo, diagram, or video of the hide locations 

2) Link to video including audio of the search. Please refer to the Submission Guidelines located here for general submission details and requirements.

 Judging

Judging:   For multiple hide searches, the dog may display communication behavior on an already located hide one time during the search and still pass.  Additional repeated communication behavior on an already located hide will not be passed.  The video should show the dog clearly demonstrating behavior changes or communication behavior to indicate that they have located the hides.

The dog should not demonstrate communication behavior with an expectation of payment on a non-odor or distractor container.

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.

To print directions for this search, including any necessary diagrams, please click HERE.

 

 Level 1 (10 points)

Level 1: Twelve containers in a straight line. 

Hides

  1. One hide placed in box number four from the start line. 
  2. One hide placed in box number ten from the start line. 

Distractors

  1. One Toy distractor (Tennis Ball or Kong) in box number two from the start line
  2. One Fruit distractor in box seven from the start line.

 

Level 1 Video Examples:

 Level 2 (20 points)

Level 2:  Ten containers in a straight line. 

Hides:

  1. One hide placed in box number three from the start line.
  2. One hide placed in box number seven from the start line.

Distractors:

  1. One Fruit distractor in box number one from the start line.
  2. One Cheese distractor in box number five from the start line.
  3. One Carb (pasta, bread, chips) in box number nine from the start line.

Level 2 Video Examples:

 Level 3 (30 points)

Level 3:  Eight containers in a straight line.

Hides:

  1. One hide placed in box number two from the start line.
  2. One hide placed in box number five from the start line.
  3. One hide placed in box number seven from the start line.

Distractors:

  1. One Cheese distractor in box number one from the start line.
  2. One Toy distractor (Tennis Ball or Kong) in box number three from the start line.
  3. One Carb distractor (pasta, bread, chips) in box number four from the start line.
  4. One Meat distractor in box number six from the start line.
  5. One Fruit distractor in box number eight from the start line.

 

Level 3 Video Examples:

2.Suspended Hide
 Description

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: 2.5 minute(s)
 Submission

1) Photo, diagram, or video of the hide locations 

2) Link to video including audio of the search. Please refer to the Submission Guidelines located here for general submission details and requirements.

 Judging

The video should show the dog clearly demonstrating behavior changes or communication behavior to indicate that they have located the hide. The dog should not demonstrate communication on a non-odor object.

Containers should not be used as objects.  Suggested objects are items typically found in an interior space (for example, chairs, tables, stools, storage totes, etc.). Objects should be at least 18 x 18 (chair seat size) and should be placed at least three feet from each other on the ground below the hide.

Level 1 - 1 hide at four feet high with a minimum of four objects spread around the search area but no farther than approximately ten feet from the hide.

Level 2 - 1 hide at six feet high with a minimum of six objects spread around the search area but no farther than twelve feet from the hide.

Level 3 - 1 hide at six feet high with a minimum of ten objects spread around the search area but no farther than fifteen feet from the hide.

 

To print directions for this search, including any necessary diagrams, please click HERE.

 Level 1 (10 points)

Level 1:  (10 points)  One hide suspended four feet high with four objects on ground surrounding the hide. 

Level 1 Video Examples:

 

 Level 2 (20 points)

Level 2:  (20 points) One hide suspended six feet high with six objects on ground surrounding the hide.

 

Level 2 Video Examples:

 Level 3 (30 points)

Level 3:  (30 points) One hide suspended six feet high with ten objects on ground surrounding the hide.

 

Level 3 Video Examples:

3.Sourcing: Table Hide
 Description

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.

 Time Limit: 2 minute(s)
 Submission

1) Photo, diagram, or video of the hide locations 

2) Link to video including audio of the search. Please refer to the Submission Guidelines located here for general submission details and requirements.

 Judging

The video should show the dog clearly demonstrating behavior changes or communication behavior to indicate that they have located the hide.  The dog should communicate the source of odor under the table.  The dog should not demonstrate communication on any other object other than the underside of the table.

Level 1 - A table with no chairs around the table.

Level 2 - A square table (minimum size listed in Hide Parameters above) with two chairs pushed under the table on opposite sides of the table to fill the space OR a rectangular table with four chairs, two chairs on each opposite side of the table.

Level 3 - A square table (minimum size listed in Hide Parameters above) with three chairs pushed in on each of the four sides of the table OR a rectangular table with five chairs, pushed in with one on each side of the small sides of the table and one or two (five total) on each of the long sides of the table.

 

To print directions for this search, including any necessary diagrams, please click HERE.

 Level 1 (10 points)

Level 1:  (10 points)  One hide placed on the underside of the table in the middle with no chairs.

 

Level 1 Video Examples:

 Level 2 (20 points)

Level 2:  (20 points)  One hide placed on the underside of the table in the middle with two chairs one on each of the opposite sides for a small square table or two chairs on each of the long sides of a rectangle table.

 

Level 2 Video Examples:

 Level 3 (30 points)

Level 3:  (30 points)  One hide placed on the underside of the table in the middle with three chairs, one on each of three sides for a small square table or five chairs total with on each of the short sides, one long side with one chair and one long side with two chairs of a rectangle table.

 

Level 3 Video Examples:

4.Multiple Hide Search on Natural Surface
 Description

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.

 Time Limit: 2.5 minute(s)
 Submission

1) Photo, diagram, or video of the hide locations 

2) Link to video including audio of the search. Please refer to the Submission Guidelines located here for general submission details and requirements.

 Judging

Judging: The dogs should show competency at locating multiple hides, on objects, in an exterior search area on grass, without handler assistance. The dog should be able to locate all the hides with minimal return to already found hides. The video should show the dog clearly demonstrating behavior changes or communication behavior to indicate that they have located the hides. The handler may move in support of the dog’s behavior/movement but should not lead the dog to new or productive areas. Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge rules regarding rewarding your dog, directing your dog to search for another hide, and dogs returning to hides.

Level 1 (10 points) – 3 hides, 2:30

Level 2 (20 points) – 4 hides, 2:30

Level 3 (30 points) – 5 hides, 2:30

 

To print directions for this search, including any necessary diagrams, please click HERE.

 Level 1 (10 points)

Level 1 (10 points) – 3 hides, 2:30

Level 1 Video Examples:

 Level 2 (20 points)

Level 2 (20 points) – 4 hides, 2:30

Level 2 Video Examples:

 Level 3 (30 points)

Level 3 (30 points) – 5 hides, 2:30

Level 3 Video Examples: