2022 Skills Achievement Challenge #1

 

We are excited to announce the details of the first Skills Achievement Challenge! 

 

You will be able to submit videos online demonstrating your dog’s competency at nose work skills to earn titles! There will be two Skills Achievement Challenges offered each year. Each Skills Achievement Challenge will include 4 different skills. Each submission of all 4 skills for a title will cost $20.

 

Please make sure to review the full rules in the rule book (page 16, and pages 47-50) and also review the Submission Guidelines to ensure your submissions are accepted. We have also provided instructional videos on how to upload videos using Google Drive or Dropbox if you need additional information.

 

This first Skills Achievement Challenge will open for entries at 9am Pacific time on February 1st, 2022. In the meantime we are providing you the details below on the skills that will be included in this first challenge. 

 

Any questions can be sent to: skills@nacsw.net

 

 

Skills Achievement Challenge #1 – January 2022

Skills Details

Skill 1: Independent Hunting – working at a distance from the handler:

The handler will stand in a designated location at a specific minimum distance (by level) from the hide location. The dog will start the search from the handler’s designated location.  Handler will remain in the designated location until the dog locates the hide.   Handler may exit the designated location to reward.  If using isolated objects (such as chairs or boxes) in an empty area, there should be at least 6 objects.

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

# of hides: 1 

Time limit: 2 minutes

Preferred off-leash

Submission:

1) photo, diagram, or video of the hide location and the designated handler location that the handler will stand in.  Please denote the distance on the photo, diagram or video between the handler location and the hide location.

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 dog should demonstrate that they can work independently at a distance from the handler to locate a single hide. The video should show the dog clearly demonstrating behavior changes or communication behavior to indicate that they have located the hide.

Level 1 (10 points) – The handler must stay in a designated location at least 8 feet away from the hide.

Level 1 Video examples:

Level 2 (20 points) – The handler must stay in a designated location at least 12 feet away from the hide.

Level 2 Video examples:

Level 3 (30 points) – The handler must stay in a designated location at least 20 feet away from the hide.

Level 3 Video examples

Skill 2: Suspended Hides

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)

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

# of hides: 1

Time limit: 3 minutes 

Preferred off-leash

Submission:

1) photo, diagram, or video of the hide location that includes a notation height of the hide.

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 dog should demonstrate that they can identify the location of a suspended hide without handler assistance. The video should show the dog clearly demonstrating behavior changes or communication behavior to indicate that they have located 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.

Level 1 (10 points) – The hide should be suspended at a minimum height of 2 feet.

Level 1 Video examples:

Level 2 (20 points) – The hide should be suspended at a minimum height of 4 feet.

Level 2 Video examples:

Level 3 (30 points) – The hide should be suspended at a minimum height of 6 feet.

Level 3 Video examples

Skill 3: Multiple Hides

This challenge requires the dogs to find multiple hides (# of hides designated by level) within the designated time limit. If using isolated objects (such as chairs) in an empty area, there should be at least 15 objects. Boxes/Containers are not to be used for this challenge. There are no other requirements regarding the distance between hides or location of hides.

Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

 # of hides: Designated by level

Time limit: 2 minutes 

Preferred off-leash

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 dogs should show competency at locating multiple hides in a search area 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

Level 1 Video examples:

Level 2 (20 points) – 4 hides

Level 2 Video examples:

Level 3 (30 points) – 5 hides

Level 3 Video examples

Skill 4: Containers

This challenge requires the dogs to demonstrate competency at container searches. Each level will require the dog to demonstrate skills similar to the skills required at NW1/NW2/NW3 container searches. Please refer to the current version of the rule book for full Skills Challenge Rules

  • There will be 12 containers in 2 rows of 6. 
  • 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.

 # of hides: Designated by level

Time limit: 2 minutes 

Preferred off-leash

Submission:

1) Photo, diagram, or video of the setup including hide location(s) and distractor type(s) and location if applicable.

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(s). The dog should not demonstrate communication behavior on non-odor containers. The handler may move in support of the dog’s behavior/movement but should not lead the dog to new or productive areas. 

Level 1 (10 points) – There should be one hide located in box 5 in the left row.

Image removed.

Level 1 Video examples:

Level 2 (20 points) –  

There should be two hides.

1)      The left row should have a hide in the 2nd container.

2)      The right row should have a hide in the 6th container.

 

There will be two distractors.

  1. Distractor #1
    1. A dog toy
    2. Placed in the 5th container on the left.
  2. Distractor #2
    1. Select one of the following:  a small piece of bread, tortilla chip, or potato chip.  
    2. Placed in the 3rd container on the right

Image removed.

Level 2 Video examples:

Level 3 (30 points) –

There will be three hides.

1)      The left row should have a hide in the 2nd  container

2)      The left row should have a hide in the 6th container

3)      The right row should have a hide in the 4th container

 

There will be three distractors.

  1.  Distractor #1
    1. Select one of the following: cheese, popcorn, or peanut butter
    2. Placed in the 4th container on the left.  
  2. Distractor #2
    1. A dog toy
    2. Placed in the 1st container on the right.
  3.  Distractor #3
    1. A small piece of fruit
    2. Placed in the 6th container on the right.  

Image removed.

Level 3 Video examples