NACSW is the only official sanctioning and organizing body for the sport of K9 Nose Work.
Trial Entry Requirements
TRIAL REQUIREMENTS & ELIGIBILITY
Dogs participating in an ORT or trial must be at least six months of age and must appear to be healthy on the event day and should be current on all vaccinations required by law. Each trial organizer may set additional requirements for their location.Minimum age requirement for handlers is thirteen years of age. An adult must accompany minors at all times at official events.This adult may not be participating in the trial with another dog.
The number of entries permitted to compete and/or title per trial is set by the trial organizer.All dogs must have passed the ORT (Odor Recognition Test) required for that particular trial and/or title level according to NACSW™ specifications. The NACSW™ will verify ORT and title completion for each trial entry.Titles will not be granted to any dog that has not previously passed the ORT designated for the particular title level.Titles must also be achieved in succession, NW1, NW2, and NW3. ORT records will be kept on file with NACSW™ and may be confirmed in advance by contacting NACSW™ directly. In order to compete in an NACSW™ sanctioned trial (as of July, 2010) or ORT event, handlers must be current members of NACSW™ and must have registered their dogs and obtained an NACSW™ scorebook.Registration is available online at www.NACSW.net.
Trial Readiness:
The ORT required for trial entry is for the purpose of verifying the dog’s recognition of the odor used in trial and the handler’s ability to read the dog’s indication of the source of odor.It is not necessarily a measure of trial readiness.The average time frame for training to trial readiness is about one year.
Most handlers and dogs by that time have learned all of the elements of competition and have practiced those elements in many locations, under time pressure with the guidance of an instructor.The NACSW™ offers this guideline in the hopes that handlers will provide a long enough training period for the dog.This will allow for both dog and handler to have a more enjoyable and successful experience at trial.
Note:Trial organizers wishing to sponsor a NACSW sanctioned event should visit the "How to Host a Trial" and "How to Host an ORT" pages on the NASCW website.