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2008 WUSV Judge's MeetingSeptember 24, 2008 From the USA website. USA Director of Judges, Mark Przybylski, attended the 2008 WUSV Judge's Meeting in Darmstadt, Germany. There were 59 Judges there from 30 different countries. The emphasis on the meeting was strongly geared to rules applications, evaluation of exercises, and point assessment based on quality of work, training, and behaviors. This meeting emphasized proper judging in accordance with the current rules. The following is a summary of issues discussed at the meeting. DEVELOPMENT OF A DOG In order to clearly evaluate a dog, a brief synopsis was given regarding development of the dog which would help understand the learning and training processes. This was broken down into three categories; Pre-natal, neo-natal, and juvenile. Pre-Natal was described as the first 2 weeks after birth. It is here were the puppy is introduced to stress and stimulus. Neo-Natal was described as the period from 4-14 weeks. During this time the dog learns fear and aggression and the handler should try to have these two elements work in harmony. The dog must learn to win and learn to lose. It is during this time the dog(s) should be introduced to all types of stimuli and environment. Juvenile Phase was described starting at around 5-8 months of age. It is here were the dog learns body language, interacts with people, and learns the body language of people and helpers, and establishing a harmonious working relationship with its owner. The dog should be exposed to all environments and learn to self explore these environments. It is during these phases in particular that dogs learning what are harmful, and what is not. What is to fear, and what is not to fear. Teaching should be in an active manner to overcome these fears. WHAT MAKES THE “V” PERFORMANCE One of the problems that has developed over the past few years, is the rating of "excellent" is given far too often. This seems to be more common as it relates to dogs of less character and genetics. In statistics gathered through Europe, dogs are given an "excellent" rating about 40% of the time. As compared to 10 plus years ago the number was 4% to 10%. Part of this is judges are not following the guidelines, not understanding the rules, and not having a clear understanding of character, temperament and genetics. All dogs, no matter what the breed, no matter of breed versus show, must be evaluated the same. The dog’s temperament must be tested throughout. It starts at the beginning. It is strongly recommended that we use many of the adjective descriptors available to us to note what the animal demonstrates from the onset. This will help place the dog in the appropriate category and rating. In order for the dog to receive an “excellent” rating he must demonstrate the following;
IMPLEMNTATION OF TRIAL RULES We basically have three different sets of trial rules; VDH, WUSV, and the FCI (IPO) rules. The VDH outlines the performance for all the titles; starting with the BH and through Schutzhund Three and other titles as currently outlined. The WUSV rules were discussed as the ultimate application of rules, as to ensure that no matter what country the judge is from, that the handler will show with the same expectation of assessment for their handling and showing. For example: Here in the USA we can judge 36 portions. A judge from Germany may only be able to judge 30 portions. The judge cannot alter his/her rules from his/her country to apply them here. That judge must follow the rules from that country as dictated by his VDH rules. DISQUALIFICATION Again the topic of disqualification was covered. It was reported that in Germany the number of "disqualifications" has increased. If a person is disqualified, then in most cases, all points and rating are lost as well. Disqualification and can occur for the following reasons;
TRACKING Not much new here. I will bullet the highlights and then give some clarifications on rules enforcement/interpretation.
Specific questions were asked regarding the following situations. Reporting In “..handler must report ready for tracking”. The tracking leash must be laid out so that the judge can see the length. The line may be attached to the collar. It does not have to under the leg or attached to the harness when reporting in. Article Indication The handler must indicate that the article will either be pointed out or picked up. If the handler reports that the dog will pick up he can do the following option: pick up and sit at the article location, pickup and stand at the article location or pickup and retrieve to the handler. The dog cannot lie down and pick up the article. The speed of the indication may by in-line with the speed of the dogs track. For example; if the dog track slow, the article indication does not have to be extremely fast. As longs as the indication is sure and with purpose a slow indication may not be faulty when considering the dog’s temperament and character. Praise At the article praise can be before or after but not both. The handler cannot praise the dog as the handler picks up the article. If praise comes prior to showing the article, there must be a clear pause between the two. Praise the dog, stand up/break from the dog, then retrieve the article. Once the handler has followed the dog after the start(s) and after the corner and the handler is clearly in the leg, the slight verbal praise is allowed. Working of the Track The dog from the time he reports in should show no pressure. The start is part of the evaluation for the first leg. During the track the dog must demonstrate self reliance, harmonious relationship with handler and environment, consistency in the work, intensive, active in searching, temperament and character of the dog are relevant in the rating. If a dog is tracking, and makes a check off to the side without leaving the track, this may not be faulty. This is the same with the corners. A dog that takes a corner cleanly may be evaluated the same as the dog that stop to determine the track direction, then proceeds. But the action of the second dog must be quick and convincing. A dog that changes its pace because of difficulty or terrain change should not be faulted. Environment and ground conditions can be taken into consideration as part of the overall evaluation. FH1 and FH2 The FH1 must have a street and changes of terrain. Going from one dirt field to another is not a change of terrain. However, in grass field, there may changes of terrain in that field and could be considered sufficient. But there has to be a clear change in terrain. For the FH2, a road may not be required, but there must be another type of difficulty (fence, ditch, tree line etc). Evaluating the Track In evaluating the team, there are several factors to be considered. These should be kept in mind during the entire tracking, corners, and article indication. Also the judge must in position at all times to see the dog’s work and article indication. If the tracks are laid in high vegetation (1m), the judge must be close enough to see the dog and approach close enough to verify the indication of the article.
OBEDIENCE There were not many questions regarding obedience. It was again stressed that the dog’s temperament and drives should be clearly explained to the handler and spectators. Here are a few bulleted items;
During the heeling exercises the following items were noted;
For the retrieves we must check the equipment for proper height and safety. At a trial, only the dumbbells provided by the hosting club can be used. Spitting on or rubbing on the dumbbell is faulty. No reposition is allowed. One interesting point was on the 1 meter jump and the dog should knock the jump over. In this case, the jump is repositioned and the handler is allowed to throw the dumbbell again; however, the only portion that is evaluated is the return jump. All other portions; initial jump, pickup, sit in front, hold, and finish have already been evaluated. If on the second jump the jump is knocked over again, then the jump is rated as no return. Other general rules are as follows;
For the sit exercise, the dog must sit with concentration and purpose. Looking around may not be faulty if the dog with strong temperament is being aware of the environment. The same applies to the down/recall and the stand in motion. PROTECTION This area is generally discussed by spectators more that the other parts of the exercises. It is critically important that we are clear in our critiques to ensure that the reason for the rating is that the dog displayed/possessed certain traits or characteristics. We must describe the drives, balance of drives, power and temperament. We must also describe in each exercise how the dog attempts to stop the helper, and reacts to the pressure and the stick hits. We must make it clear for example; comparing a dog with good speed, adequate power and faultless mechanics can not be rated as high as compared to a dog with power, balance in drives, and this dog may make slight fault in portions of the exercise. The dogs with superior traits and training must be recognized. A dog lacking character and intensity in the work cannot receive a "v" rating. A dog that is consistent in behavior but is lacking throughout can only received a "good" rating. Basic rules for disqualification were covered;
In describing the part regarding biting the helper, a dog that nips is not to have considered biting the helper. This is referring to the dog that fully engages and grips the helper on other parts outside the sleeve. No changes from out current evaluation on how the grip is evaluated under our current program. Blind Search The commands given by the handler should be made while walking in motion down the field. The dog should run in front of the handler. However, if a dog of strong character runs behind the handler one time only, this should not be faulted. However, if a dog runs behind a second time, the highest rating should be a “g”. It is not important that we see the eyes of the dog looking into the blind, but more importantly recognize the behavior and the posture of the dog at the blind. These signs would be able to demonstrate to the judge that the blind was searched convincingly. No criteria were set on how wide the dog is allowed to run the blind. In videos that we watched, it was more typical of a dog with lesser character to run fast and lacking purpose to run the blinds wide. The rules describe a close and tight search, but there may be some allowance for a very fast dog (only if his character is strong). HOLD AND BARK This was an interesting discussion on some points. The first point was that the guard must 100% towards the helper, then followed by a statement that “…a dog of strong character, showing aggression, self assuredness, and balance in drives, may not be faulted if the dog detects a movement and quickly checks and then returns to the helper”. The position was stated that we do not want a robotic dog. It would be negligent to take away the dog’s natural being during an exercise. Here are some other points;
During disarming exercises, the helper can step back one step if requested. However, at higher events, judge can set the standard so that all dogs are shown the same. The next point of discussion was three exercises because the dog receives different penalties for the same behavior. If the dog is disobedient in the blind during the hold and bark, and bites, up to 9 points is taken. The handler cannot say "out". During the back transport, if the dog breaks and engages the helper before the handler can gain control, this is mandatory disqualification for "out of control". During the back transport, if the dog breaks and engages the helper before the handler can gain control, this is mandatory disqualification for “out of control”. OVERALL PROTECTION EVALUATION It was stressed that during the evaluation that the judge must clearly describe the behaviors, temperaments, drives, and hardness of the dog. It is the hope then when faced with dogs of different character/temperament, that when explaining to the public why a dog showing a fault can be rated higher over a dog of less power and temperament with better technical skills. In all phases, the dog must be watchful towards the helper. RULE CHANGERS There are no current rule changes. There will be some rule changes in 2010. Here are some items currently being discussed. These are only items being discussed and nothing has yet been determined.
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