Newfoundland Water Rescue - Water Dog & Water Rescue Dog Regulations
Chapter IV - Standard of Performance - Senior Division
Double Retrieve
Retrieve off a Boat
Take a Life Ring
Underwater Retrieve
Take a Line/ Tow a Boat
Rescue
DOUBLE RETRIEVE
Standards of Performance
The two articles to be retrieved will be an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) boat cushion and an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) life jacket. With the dog and handler on shore facing the water, a judge will ask, "Are you ready?" Stewards will paddle across the test site and drop two articles fifty feet (50 feet) from shore and fifty (50) feet apart on the land side of the watercraft. The articles will be splashed two or three times to attract the dog's attention.
When the articles are in place, the stewards will paddle clear of the site, and a judge will tell the handler which is the first article to be retrieved. It will be the same order for each dog unless conditions necessitate a change. A judge will then instruct the handler, 'You may begin". At this time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The dog and handler must start from the center of the test area; however, once the judges indicate the start of the exercise, the dog and handler are allowed to move along the beach. The handler sends the dog for the first article from any point on the shore with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistles. Extra commands and voice encouragement are allowed as the dog works. The dog must retrieve the article and deliver it to the hand of the handler on shore. The dog may bring the article to the closest point of land, in which case, the handler may move along the shore to that point to receive the article without stepping into the water. The closest point of land does not have to be within the marked test area. The handler may pat and praise his dog before he sends it for the second article; no other physical manipulation of the dog is allowed. The dog will be directed for the second article from any point on the beach. When the second article is delivered to hand on shore in the same manner as the first one, the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog takes direction and retrieves both articles in the specified order.
2. The dog is sent for the first article and returns it to the handler on shore, delivering it to hand.
3.The dog is then sent for the second article and returns it in the same manner.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises.
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog gets the wrong article.
2. The dog does not retrieve both articles.
3. The dog does not deliver both articles to hand.
4. The dog comes out of the water prior to completion of the first retrieve.
5. The dog comes out of the water after it has been sent for the second retrieve without the article.
6. The handler assists the dog in marking an article by throwing objects.
Suggested Time Limit: Three (3) minutes. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
RETRIEVE OFF A BOAT
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler will be on shore. The judge will ask "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler "You may proceed". At that point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The dog will board a boat and travel with the handler in a safe and controlled manner. The dog and handler have thirty (30) seconds to board and be ready for departure. The thirty (30) second boarding time is separate from the suggested time for completing the retrieve.
The dog must willingly board the platform on the boat without physical assistance from the handler within the 30-second time limit and remain on the platform, under control, until required to exit. The dog must exit from the platform. The handler is responsible for placing the paddle on the platform and is allowed to sit on the platform with his/her feet in the water.
The dog and handler go out in the boat rowed by a steward. The handler may place an arm on the dog on the ride out as long as he/she is not restraining the dog. They go out fifty (50) feet from shore, and the boat is positioned parallel to shore. A judge will signal "You may begin" by an arm signal or one short blast on a whistle. At that signal, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. Upon the signal from the judge, the handler throws a canoe or raft paddle at least ten (10) feet from the boat. The judges must be able to see the paddle thrown to judge the 10-foot distance. When the paddle is in the water, the dog must jump willingly from the platform of the boat, within thirty (30) seconds, to retrieve the paddle. The dog must return the paddle to the boat and relinquish it to either the handler or the steward. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed while the dog is working. . The handler is allowed to splash the water to attract the dog's attention when the dog is returning the paddle to the boat. When the dog has relinquished the paddle to the handler or steward, the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
Principal Parts of the Exercise
1.The dog will board the board willingly, without physical assistance, within the thirty (30) second time limit for boarding.
2.The dog will remain on the platform, under control, until required to exit.
3. The handler will throw the paddle at least ten (10) feet.
4. The dog will wait on the boat until the paddle is in the water.
5. The dog will jump from the boat within thirty (30) seconds from the time the oar is in the water.
6.The dog will retrieve the paddle.
7.The dog will return the paddle to the boat and relinquish it to the handler or the steward.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog refuses to willingly board the boat.
2. The dog refuses to jump from the boat within thirty (30) seconds.
3. The dog jumps before the paddle hits the water.
4. The dog refuses to return the paddle to the handler or the steward.
5. The dog does not exit the boat from the platform or does not remain under control on the platform during the exercise.
6. The dog is restrained while on the boat.
7. The dog and handler are not aboard and ready for departure within the thirty (30) second time limit.
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds is allowed to complete the entire exercise: however, the dog must jump within thirty (30) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs,
"You may begin".
TAKE A LIFE RING
Standard of Performance
The life ring is attached to a line three (3) feet to five (5) feet in length. The line may be knotted in some fashion to facilitate the dog holding and towing it. One of three water stewards will be designated as the "victim", and this steward will assume the same position in the water for each dog.
The dog and handler will wait on shore in the center of the test area. A judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and will then instruct three stewards to enter the water and swim out to a point approximately seventy-five (75) feet from shore. When they have reached the 75-foot distance, they will be spaced at thirty-foot (30) intervals. The thirty-foot (30) intervals shall be measured on shore and marked in a visible fashion to enable the stewards to maintain their positions. A judge will indicate to the designated "victim" the start of the exercise by a hand signal or one short blast on his whistle. That steward will begin to splash and call for help but may not call the dog by name. The other two stewards shall quietly tread water, remaining in position and watching the "victim".
A judge will then instruct the handler "You may begin". At that time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. Once the judges indicate the start of the exercise, the handler and dog may move to any position on the beach before the dog is sent. The handler will give the line attached to the life ring to the dog. The dog will take it on command without the handler having to physically put it into the dog's mouth. The handler will send the dog to the "victim" in distress by voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistles. If the dog drops the line, the handler may command the dog to retake it, but the handler may not pick up the line and start again.
The dog is to swim "directly" to the calling person in the water and carry the life ring close enough so that the "victim" may grab hold of it. The word "directly" does not necessarily mean in a straight line, since some dogs naturally swim in an arc to reach a destination. If a dog appears to start toward the wrong steward and can be verbally redirected by the handler to go to the designated "victim", the dog will pass. As long as the dog is working, it should not fail until it delivers the life ring to the wrong steward or exceeds the time limit for the exercise. The steward must not use swimming strokes to reach for the life ring and is required to hold the life ring while being towed to shore. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. When the dog and "victim" reach wading depth water for the dog, the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog will hold the line attached to the life ring.
2. The dog goes to the person in distress.
3. The dog comes close enough for the "victim" to grab hold of the life ring.
4. The dog tows the "victim" to shore.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog refuses to hold the line.
2. The dog goes to the incorrect steward.
3. The dog fails to bring the ring close enough for the "victim" to reach it.
4. The dog fails to tow the "victim" to shore.
5. The dog drops the equipment, and the handler assists the dog in marking the equipment by throwing objects.
6. The dog leaves the water prior to completion of the exercise.
Suggested Time Limit: Two (2) minutes. Timing starts when the judge instructs, "You may begin".
UNDERWATER RETRIEVE
Standard of Performance
This exercise starts on the beach. The dog will willingly accompany the handler into the water. The handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The point of the dog's elbow will measure the required depth. When dog and handler are in position, a judge will ask, "Are you ready?" A judge will then instruct the handler, "You may begin". The handler will toss the object into the water at least three (3) feet in front of the dog and parallel to shore. The object to be retrieved will be no more than twelve (12) inches long and 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 handler may not touch the dog after the object is thrown. The handler may be beside the dog so that the dog can immediately deliver the object to hand. The handler's position should not block the view of the judges. The dog will have a total of three minutes from the time the object is first thrown to retrieve it from the bottom and deliver it to the handler.
The handler has the option of throwing the object as often as necessary, but the total time for the entire exercise is not to exceed three minutes. Each new throw must be at the required depth and at least three (3) feet in front of the dog. The judges will signal completion of the exercise.
A dog may paw or submerge its head on this exercise, but it must pick up the article and deliver to hand.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog and handler enter water elbow deep for the dog.
2. The handler throws the object at least three (3) feet in front of the dog.
3. The dog is sent to retrieve the object.
4. The dog retrieves and delivers it to the handler who may be standing beside the dog as it retrieves.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog does not retrieve the object thrown at the required depth and/or distance.
2. The dog does not deliver to hand.
3. The dog drops the article and fails to retrieve it again.
Suggested Time Limit: Three (3) minutes. Timing starts when the judge instructs, "You may begin".
TAKE A LINE/TOW A BOAT
Standard of Performance
A steward will be waiting in a rowboat seventy-five (75) feet from shore. The dog and handler will approach the water, and a judge will ask, "Are you ready?" Then a judge will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The handler will give the dog an eight (8) line with a bumper attached. The dog may hold either end of the equipment, the line or the bumper. The dog will take the equipment on command. The line may not be tossed in the water for the dog to grab. If the dog drops the line or bumper, the handler may command it to retake it, but the handler may not pick up the line or bumper and start again.
The handler sends the dog with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistles to swim to the steward in the boat. The steward will attract the dog's attention by calling the dog, but not by name, and by splashing the water. While the handler is commanding the dog to swim out to the boat, he/she may not step into the water. The dog will swim out to the boat and come close enough to deliver the bumper or line to the steward in the boat. The steward shall not leave the boat to grab the line. The steward will reach for the bumper or line from the side from which the dog is approaching and hold onto it. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The dog may bring the boat to the closest point of land, in which case, the handler may move along the shore to meet the dog. The handler shall not enter the water until the dog is at wading depth for the dog. The dog must pull the boat until it touches bottom, and the judges will signal completion of the exercise at that time.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog will take the bumper or line on command.
2. The dog will deliver the bumper or line to the steward in the boat.
3. The dog will tow the boat to shore
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog refuses to take the bumper or line in its mouth.
2. The dog refuses to deliver the bumper or line to the steward in the boat.
3. The dog does not tow the boat to shore.
4. The dog drops the equipment and will not pick it up when directed by the handler.
5. The dog drops the equipment and the handler assists the dog in marking the equipment by throwing objects.
6. The dog comes out of the water prior to completion of the exercise, unless it is actively towing and beaching the boat to complete the exercise.
Suggested Time Limit: Two (2) minutes. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
RESCUE
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler will be on shore. The judge will ask "Are you ready?" and will then instruct the handler "You may proceed". The dog will willingly board the platform on the boat and travel with the handler in a safe and controlled manner. The dog and handler have thirty (30) seconds to board and be ready for departure. The thirty (30) second boarding time is separate from the suggested time for completing the rescue.
The dog must remain under control and on the platform during the exercise until required to exit. The dog must exit from the platform. The handler must not restrain the dog on the boat. The handler may place an arm on the dog on the ride out as long as the dog is not being restrained.
Handler, dog, and oarsman row out about fifty (50) feet from shore. The boat is positioned parallel to shore. When in position for the rescue, a judge will signal "You may begin" by either a hand signal or one short blast on his whistle. The handler falls or jumps into the water in any manner he/she chooses. Judges may not require that handlers exit in a prescribed manner unless safety considerations warrant it. The dog has 30 seconds to jump, and timing starts when the handler is in the water. The dog must not anticipate the rescue and jump before the handler, jump simultaneously with the handler, or jump onto the handler. Voice encouragement is allowed, but the dog may not be pushed or thrown from the boat.
The dog will swim directly to the handler and tow him to safety. The dog may circle for orientation. The handler has the option of how the dog will tow him. If the dog tows by an arm, some form of protection is allowed on the arm. This protection will be flush with the skin and there will be nothing dangling from it. Some arm or leg motion for balance is allowed, but the handler is to be primarily free floating.
The dog may tow the handler to shore or back to the boat. It is the steward's responsibility to keep the boat within the test site in case the dog elects to take its handler to the boat. The exercise is complete when the dog tows the handler to the boat or reaches wading depth water near shore. The judges will indicate completion of the exercise.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog will board the boat willingly, without physical assistance, within the thirty (30) second time limit.
2. The dog will remain on the platform, under control, until required to exit.
3. The dog sees the handler leave the boat.
4. The dog will jump within thirty (30) seconds after the handler is in the water.
5. The dog comes to the rescue promptly.
6. The dog goes to the handler and tows the handler to shore or to the boat.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog and handler are not aboard and ready for departure within the thirty (30) second time limit.
2. The dog is restrained while on the boat.
3. The dog does not exit the boat from the platform or does not remain under control on the platform until required to exit.
4. The dog jumps before, simultaneously, or onto the handler.
5. The dog does not jump to rescue the handler within thirty (30) seconds.
6. The dog does not go to the handler.
7. The handler makes swimming strokes that are interpreted as assisting the dog.
8. The dog refuses to tow the handler to shore or to the boat.
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds is allowed to complete the entire exercise; however, the dog must jump within thirty (30) seconds.
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