The following outline will hopefully make the protection phase for the Working Class dogs in the show more consistent and allow handlers to know exactly what is expected. Melanie Rupp and I have discussed this exercise at length. Thanks Melanie. We would like your input and ideas. Please feel free to contact Melanie or myself with your thoughts. A diagram has been included to make the exercise easier to follow.
The dog and handler will report to the designated reporting area. The ring steward will check the tattoo for the judge.
On the direction of the judge, the handler will heel their dog
on leash to marker number one (1) and stop. The dog will go into
the sit position on the handler’s left side.
While the dog is sitting beside the handler, the leash is removed. The handler will put the leash around their waist, over their shoulder, or place it in a pocket.
On direction of the judge, the handler will command the dog to heel and will proceed in the proper heel position toward blind number two (2).
As the dog and handler near blind number two (2), on the direction of the judge, the helper attacks the dog. The helper takes a direct path toward the team in a threatening manner. Should the dog not engage, the helper continues the attack at the dog until the judge tells the helper to stop. When the dog engages, the helper will continue to threaten. During the threats, the dog will be struck twice with a padded stick, on the thighs, side portion in the area of the withers. The helper will be threatening the dog before, during, and after the two stick hits. The helper will continue the threat until the judge directs the helper to stop.
After the helper has stopped, the handler at the direction of the judge will be allowed a maximum of three (3) commands to have the dog release the grip. The handler may not touch the dog in any way to assist in the release of the grip until after the maximum three (3) commands to release have been given.
On the direction of the judge, the handler will approach the dog, take control, and place the leash on the collar. The team will then heel to blind number three (3) and wait inside the blind until the judge has instructed the team to come out to marker number two (2). At the time the team is heeling toward blind number three (3), the helper will quickly move to blind number one (1) and stay hidden.
On the direction of the judge, the handler and dog will come out of blind number three (3) and heel on leash to marker number two (2). At this point, the dog will be sitting to the handler’s left side. The leash will be removed and the handler will take firm hold of the collar.
On the direction of the judge, the helper will walk out of blind number one (1) to approximately half the width of the field. The helper will then turn and run silently toward the handler and dog. Sometime after the helper turns toward the dog, the judge will direct the handler to send the dog on the attack. The handler may move forward at a walking pace only until the dog and helper have made contact. At that point, the handler must stand still unless directed otherwise by the judge.
The helper will continue toward the dog in a threatening manner. The helper will catch the dog in an appropriate manner as not to injure the dog. If the dog does not engage, the helper will continue the motion toward the dog until the judge directs the helper to stop. When the dog does engage, the helper will continue to move forward while constantly threatening the dog with stick hits. This threatening motion will continue until the judge tells the helper to stop.
When the helper has stopped and on the direction of the judge, the handler will be allowed three (3) commands to have the dog release the grip. The handler cannot be any closer than ten (10) meters from the dog during the out commands.
After the dog has released, and on the direction of the judge, the handler will approach the dog and put the leash on the collar. The exercise is completed.
SELECTION AND WORK OF THE HELPER
The helper for both the male and female Working Class shall be selected at the same time as the helper for the Schutzhund Championships. The helper(s) will try their best to ensure that each dog is worked the same. The helper will take direction from the judge only. The helper will always move forward toward the dog and will do their best to catch and work the dog in a threatening but safe manner. The helper will not make any audible attraction unless the dog is keyed into someone else other than the helper.
WORK ON THE SELECTED HELPER
Once the helper(s) have been selected, the hosting club will announce when and where the helper(s) will be available for practice. The selected helper(s) will make themselves available at the noted time and location and will work on all dogs (should the handler wish) entered into the working classes. The selected helper(s) WILL NOT work on dogs entered in the working classes except at the designated time and place until the show has concluded.