IPO / SchH/VPG-3, Phase “C”. Protetion

General regulations

At a suitable location, 6 blinds are set up with 3 on each side of the field in a staggered arrangement. These must be clearly visible for handler, judge, and helper.

The helper must be supplied with protective clothing, schutzhund sleeve, and padded stick. The protective sleeve must be eqyupped with a bite bar, and the cover made from natural jute. If it is necessary for the helper to keep the dog looking him in the eye, the helper does not need to stand absolutely quietly in the blind during this guarding phase. However, he may make no threatening or defensive maneuvers. He must protect his body [cover vulnerable parts] with the dog and reach forward to take it, or leave the dog and take it before returning to the basic position.] (See also “helper regulations” in WUSV rulebook).

At schutzhund /VPG trials, one helper can be used for all levels, but if there are seven or more dogs in the trial, two helpers should be used. The same helper must be used for all the handlers within any one trial level.

Dogs that do not stay in the control of the handler, or that will not “out” (Aus!) after the defense exercise or do so only through the active influence of the handler, or that bite other parts of the body than the proffered schutzhund sleeve, must be disqulaifed. As a result, no TSB rating is given.

If a dog refuses to engage or defend its handler in the attack/ defense exercise, or leaves the area, this phase “C” is to be halted. The dog is given no appraisal. The “TSB” evaluation has to be accomplished.

The command for the release (“Aus”), if needed, is allowed one time during each defense exercise. The evaluation for the “out” is in the point-deduction table below.

1. Search the blinds for the helper 5 points

a) Commands

Commands for the blind search by tacking (quartering or sweeping the field side-to-side), and calling the dog back (this can include the use of the dog’s name as well as the “recall”) : Voran or Revier, Hier.

b) Performance

The helper is found hiding in the last blind, initially out of view of the dog. The handler with his freely heeling dog starts before the first hiding place, so that six lateral run-outs are possible. Instruction of the judge, the working out of phase “C” begins. With short voice commands such “Receier!” and hand signals with the right or left arm (which may be repeated), the dog must quickly leave the handler in order to purposefully, closely, and attentively circle the blinds. As the dog implements each sweep to the side, the handler calls the dog (“Hier!”) toward himself and directs it during the movement toward the subsequent blinds with a renewed command to “Revier!” the handler proceeds in a normal walking speed along the aforementioned centerline, which he may not leave during the dog’s searches. The dog must always be ahead of the handler. When the dog reaches the helper’s hiding place, the handler must stop and remain standing, and no further voice commands and/or hand signals are allowed.

c) Evaluation /Scoring

Deficiencies in control of or by the dog, in regard to brisk and purposeful attempts to find the helper, as well as in close and attentive circling of the blinds, result in appropriate deductions.

2. Hold and Bark 10 points

a)Commands

commands for the recall, finish/heel : Hier, Fu?

b) Performance

The dog must actively and attentively “hold” (guard) the helper with persistent barking. The dog may not jump onto the helper, nor grab him. After staying there for approximately 20 seconds, and after an order from the judge, the handler directly approaches to within 5 paces of the blind. After another directive from the judge, the handler calls his dog into basic position.

c) Evaluation/Scoring

Deficiencies in guarding with continuous, determined barking and very engerly pressing the helper to keep him in his place, or this activity being influenced by voice commands or the presence of the judge or the approaching handler, are scored accordingly. For persistent barking, 5 points will be awarded. If the dog barks only weakly, it will get 2 points, and if it does not bark yet remains actively and attentively guaring the helper, 5 points are deducted. “Bothering” the helper (bitting, jumping on, bumping, etc.) will cost them up to 2 points, and strong grips up to 9 points. If the dog leave the helper before the judge’s order is given for the handler to leave the centerline where he was to stop, the dog can be ordered once more to go to the helper (Revier). If the dog then remains at the helper and barking, phase “C” can be continued; however, a rating of unsatisfactory/Faulty is given. If the dog does not renew his bark-and hold, or if the dog leaves the helper a second time, phase “C” is terminated at that point. If the dog comes to meet the handler when he approaches he blind, or comes to he handler before being called off, it is given a partial score and rated as Unsatisfactory / Faulty.

3. Prevention of Escape attempts by the Helper.

a) Voice Commands

Commands for finish, down, out (release the bite): Fu?, Plat? , Aus.

b) Performance

On the judge’s order , the handler calls the helper to step out from the blind. The helper proceeds at a normal walk to the designated starting point for the escape attempt. Following an indication by the judge, the handler proceeds with his freely heeling dog to a designated waiting place to prepare for the escape attempt. The distance between helper and dog is about 5 paces. The handler then puts his guarding dog in a “Plat?” (down) position, leaves it, and hides behind the blind, but he must still be able to observe the dog, the helper and the judge.

Following an order/signal from the judge, the helper undertakes an escape attempt. The dog must frustrate this attempt without hesitation, independently, effectively, and with energetic and robust gripping. It may only attack the helper by biting him on the schutzhund sleeve. Upon the judge’s order, the helper stands still. After the helper stops the struggle, the dog must release immediately. The handler can also give a voice commands for “Aus” after an appropriate time.

If the dog does not ”out” after the first allowed command, the handler receives the judge’s direction to give up to two further voice commands for the “out”. If the dog does not “out” after the third command (one allowed without deduction and two additional), it results in disqualification. During the ‘Aus!” command, the handler must stand still, with out otherwise influencing the dog. After the release, the dog must remain close to the helper and guard him attentively.

c) Evaluation/Scoring

Not meeting the essentials of the following important performance criteria results in appropriate deductions: fast, energetic reaction, fast pursuit with robust grip and effective prevention of the escapee’s flight, If the dog remains lying when the helper tries to run away, or does not stop the flight through grabbing and holding on within approximately 20 steps, the exercise and the rest of “C” are terminated.

If the dog in the bark-and-hold process of guarding is slightly inattentive and/or slightly bothering the helper, about one point is deducted from the exercise. If the dog is very inattentive and/or is strongly annoying the helper, around two points are deducted from the exercise. If the dog does not hold (guard) the aid, yet remains in place, around three points are taken off. If the dog leaves the helper, or if the handler gives a command to make sure that the dog remains at the helper, Phase ”C” is terminated.
4. Defense of an Attack from the Guarding Exercise: 20 points