Newfoundland Water Rescue - Water Dog & Water Rescue Dog Regulations
Chapter II - Regulations for Performance and Judging
Section 1. Standardized Judging
Section 2. Failed Exercises and Re-Judging
Section 3. Dog or Person in Distress
Section 4. Judges' Record Forms
Section 5. Entrant's Evaluation
Section 6. Catalog Order
Section 7. Use of Leash
Section 8. Required Equipment
Section 9. Commands, Signals and Encouragement
Section 10. Praise
Section 11. Handling Between Exercises
Section 12. Pretest Swim and Training on the Grounds
Section 13. Interference and Double Handling
Section 14. Complaints and Discipline
Section 15. Qualifying and non Qualifying Performance
Section 16. Suggested Time Limits
Regulations for Performance and Judging
Section 1. Standardized Judging and Qualifications of Judges
Standardized judging is of great importance. There shall be two judges for each NCA Water Test. It is recognized that the water tests are intended for performance on natural bodies of water and beaches and may require minimal adaptation to fit the site available. In no case, however, are judges to add to or delete from the requirements of the water tests. Judges must act in a professional, impartial, and pleasant manner.
Judges selected by a Water Test Committee for a water test should be chosen for their ability to judge Newfoundland dogs working in the water. Judges should possess thorough knowledge of the water test rules, a sense of fairness, and consideration for the efforts of dogs and handlers. The NCA designated Working Dog Committee member maintains a copy of the Qualifications for Water Test Judges and a current list of approved judges.
Section 2. Failed Exercises and Re-judging
If a dog has failed a particular exercise, it shall not ordinarily be re-judged. However, if the dog's performance was prejudiced by peculiar or unusual circumstances, the judges may, at their discretion, re-judge the dog on the entire exercise, but not a portion thereof.
Section 3. Dog or Person in Distress
If at any time during a water test, it becomes apparent to either the handler or the judges that a dog or person is in distress, the exercise shall be immediately terminated. If the judges determine that the cause of the distress was due to an unusual circumstance, they may permit the dog or handler a reasonable period to recover before resuming testing. The dog and handler will be re-judged on the entire exercise, not a portion thereof. If the dog or person has not recovered sufficiently to continue testing within a reasonable time, the judges shall mark the dog failed.
Section 4. Judges' Record Forms
The judges will record the pass or fail performances of each dog on the Judges' Record Forms following the conclusion of the test. Any significant comments on the judges' score sheets must be transferred to the Judges' Record Forms. Score sheets should be made available to the exhibitors at the conclusion of the test, unless the judges wish to maintain copies as a personal record. In that case, the water test secretary must make copies to send to the exhibitors following the test.
Section 5. Entrant's Evaluation
The Water Test Committee will provide each entrant with a Test Evaluation Form. Entrants are encouraged to complete the forms before leaving the test site and return them to the Water Test Secretary. Forms not returned at the site should be mailed within ten (10) days to the Working Dog Committee member in charge of test evaluations whose name and address appears on the form.
Section 6. Catalog Order
Handlers and dogs must exhibit in catalog order unless otherwise allowed by the judges. Catalog order will be determined by the order in which the entries are received by the Test Secretary. A handler with more than one dog may request that his entries not be judged consecutively. Bitches in season are judged as stated in the Chapter 1, Section 8, "Bitches in Season".
Section 7. Use of Leash
All dogs at an NCA Water test are tested off leash. All dogs must be held on leash or securely crated unless being tested.
Section 8. Required Equipment
All equipment to be used by the handlers at a water test, including that provided by the test committee, shall be thoroughly inspected by the judges for suitability. Individual equipment will be checked on the day of testing prior to the start of each division. Once inspected, substitutions are not permitted without the judges' approval.
The handlers at a water test will provide a leash and collar. A dog entered in the water test must wear a well-fitted plain buckle, slip, or snap-around collar while on the test grounds. Fancy collars, prong training collars, or collars that are improperly fitted, are not permitted. There shall not be anything hanging from the collar.
Standardized equipment, including bumpers, boat cushions, life jackets, life rings, and paddles, may not be altered from their original state, except that the cushion or vest straps may be tied or stitched in place for safety reasons, and the boat bumper may have a short line attached to facilitate throwing.
Handlers will provide their own equipment for use during the test. However, they may share a set of equipment during testing, as long as the equipment is presented to the judges during the equipment check.
JUNIOR DIVISION EQUIPMENT
A buoyant boat bumper, canvas or plastic.
An eight (8) foot floating line with plastic or canvas boat bumper attached.
A floating line (may be knotted at one end), minimum length of seventy-five (75) feet.
An approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) boat cushion and an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) life jacket (loose straps may be tied or stitched).
SENIOR DIVISION EQUIPMENT
Canoe or raft paddle of wood or plastic, at least two and one half (2 1/2) feet in length.
An eight (8) foot floating line with plastic or canvas boat bumper attached.
An approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) boat cushion and an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) life jacket (loose straps may be tied or stitched).
A ring-type life preserver, minimum diameter of twenty (20) inches, (American or Canadian Coast Guard approved or made to Coast Guard specifications) with a three (3) to five (5) foot line attached. The line may be knotted at the end to facilitate carrying.
An underwater retrieve article that is no more than twelve (12) inches long and four (4) inches tall. When submerged, it should extend no more than four (4) inches from the bottom and should be weighted evenly so that it will sink immediately. The underwater retrieve article may be painted or taped to increase its visibility.
In addition, each exhibitor is responsible for providing his/her own approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) flotation device, as well as suitable foot protection that can be worn in the water.
The Water Test Committee will provide all of the equipment necessary to run a water test. This includes the following equipment:
An approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) flotation device for all water stewards.
A rowboat rated for three (3) or more persons with a non-slip surfaced platform securely mounted on the stern to permit a dog to safely enter and exit the boat without contacting the gunwales. The platform should be large enough for the handler and dog to maneuver into position and ride together on it.
Rope, tape, fencing, or appropriate material to mark off the test area.
Two (2) sets of three (3) floating markers. These markers will be placed at 30', 50', and 75' from shore on each side of the water testing area. They should be unobtrusive, visible to the entrants but unattractive to the dogs.
Shore markers. Three shore markers spaced thirty (30) feet apart; these will be of such a height and color as to allow the stewards for the Senior Division Life Ring exercise to maintain their positions in the water.
Two (2) whistles for judges.
Two clipboards for judge.
Stopwatch.
First aid kit.
Backboard-recommended.
A canoe or kayak to be used for the placement of the articles in the Junior Drop Retrieve and Senior Double Retrieve Exercises.
Cellular phone (if a public telephone is not available on the site).
Section 9. Commands, Signals and Encouragement
Handlers' commands to their dogs may be given by voice, arm signal, and/or whistle. The use of multiple commands and signals is permitted except in those Basic Control Exercises where they are specifically prohibited. When one command only is specified for an exercise, it may be a voice, hand, or simultaneous voice and hand command. Handlers may not assist dogs by marking objects to be retrieved by any method other than voice, arm signal, and/or whistle. While an entrant may encourage the dog in a pleasant, upbeat manner, undue or harsh yelling, shouting, or reprimands should be considered undesirable and unnecessary for a dog under control. Such behavior constitutes a failure of the exercise.
Section 10. Praise
Physical praise and petting of the dogs are allowed between and after each exercise. A handler shall not carry or offer food during the exercises, or in the testing area.
Section 11. Handling Between Exercises
In Junior and Senior Division, dogs may be guided gently by the collar and physically praised between exercises. The use of physical guidance other than that specifically allowed, either during an exercise or between an exercise, will result in the failure of the team.
Section 12. Pretest Swim and Training on the Grounds
All dogs may participate in a pre-swim, except for bitches in season, which will be given a pre-swim just prior to their judging. The pre-swim is a thirty (30) minute session prior to the start of judging during which the dogs and handlers may familiarize themselves with the test waters. The purpose of this period is familiarization only and is not intended for last-minute training. No food may be carried or offered. During the Junior Division pre-swim, handlers may use a retrieving article, but no other equipment may be used. During the Senior Division pre-swim, dogs are permitted to get on and off the beached boat in addition to the use of a retrieving object.
Junior Division dogs will be provided a thirty (30) minute swim period preceding the beginning of the Junior Division judging. Senior Division dogs will be provided a thirty (30) minute swim period preceding the beginning of the Senior Division judging.
Any physical abuse or harsh training of the dog while on test grounds will result in excusing the dog and handler from the test.
During judging, the judges may terminate an exercise once a dog has failed. If the judging schedule permits, they may allow a reasonable opportunity for a handler to assist a dog in completing the exercise that has been failed.
Section 13. Interference and Double Handling
A judge who is aware of any assistance, interference, or attempts to control a dog from outside the test area, must act promptly to stop any double handling or interference. If, in a judge's opinion, the circumstances warrant, he shall mark the dog failed for the exercise during which the aid was received.
Section 14. Complaints and Discipline
Complaints against judges, exhibitors, or members of the test-giving committee will be dealt with according to the NCA Working Dog Committee Grievance Policy. The Test Committee is required to have copies of the Grievance Procedure with the approved forms at the Water Test. Any person attending a water test may obtain a copy of the NCA WDC Grievance Procedure and forms from the Water Test Chairperson. The NCA board will deal with discipline, as a result of a grievance, in accordance with the NCA Constitution and By-laws.
Section 15. Qualifying and non Qualifying Performance
Dogs are to be judged on their performance of the assigned tasks. A dog that completes an exercise within the prescribed time limit, and in accordance with the Standards of Performance for that exercise, should be scored as passed.
Each judge shall independently indicate that a dog has passed or failed upon completion of each exercise. The following whistle signals are recommended:
One short blast... Pass
One long trill... Fail
Three short blasts... judge wants your attention.
Failures common to all exercises:
A dog is not under the handler's control.
The dog leaves the test area while being tested except where permitted in the water exercises.
The handler enters the water except as allowed in a specific exercise.
The dog fails to complete the exercise within the required time, unless additional time is granted by the judges for an unusual situation. (See Section 16. Suggested Time Limits)
5. The handler physically guides or controls the dog after the exercise begins.
6. The dog leaves the water before completing an exercise except as allowed in a specific exercise.
Where delivery to hand is required, if the dog drops the article on land or water before it completes the delivery, the handler may direct the dog to pick it up. If the dog does so and completes the delivery within the suggested time, it will not fail.
When the word "directly" is used in an exercise, it does not necessarily mean in a straight line, since some dogs naturally swim in an arc to reach a destination.
Physical guidance or assistance means restraining, pushing, or pulling the dog by its collar, fur, or body, or the use of hands, legs, or any part of the handler’s body in a manner that is not allowed.
Once the judge states or signals "You may begin", the handler must keep his/her hands off the dog.
"The dog enters the water" means that the dog has committed itself to the exercise and has at least 3 feet in the water.
"Dog leaves the water" means the dog has committed itself to leaving the water by having at least 3 feet out of the water.
Section 16. Suggested Time Limits
Suggested time limits for each Junior and Senior Exercise appear at the conclusion of each exercise. Under no circumstances will time limits less than those suggested be imposed. The limits may be extended by the judges for extreme or unusual conditions and situations. If adverse site or weather conditions exist, and the judges feel that extended time is needed to complete a particular exercise, they should state the time limit that will be used prior to judging. Judges may also extend a time limit for an individual dog, but only if the dog began working immediately at the start of the exercise and continued actively working during the entire exercise.
At any time, the judges shall retain the discretion to whistle off as "failed" any dog that does not demonstrate an understanding of an exercise.
Judges are to report the reasons for any change made in the suggested time limits to the Test Chairperson, to be included with the Test Chairperson's report. Judges must note any modifications made on the Judges' Evaluation Forms.
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