- Helper Regulations

A. Requirements for the employment as Helper in phase C

1. The guidelines and regulations of the trial regulations regarding Helper work must be followed.

2. The Helper in phase C is the assistant of the Judge on the day of the trial.

3. For his personal safety as well as liability reasons, the Helper must wear protective clothing (protective pants, protective jacket, sleeve, cup and is neccessary gloves) when doing Helper work during training, trials and competitions.

4. The shoes of the Helper must be suitable for different weather/ground conditions. The shoes must provide the Helper secure stance and good traction.

5. Before phase C starts, the Helper recieves instructions from the Judge. The Helper must perform the Helper work in accordance to the Judge's instructions.

6. The Helper must follow the Handler's instructions during the disarming/search of the Helper phase in accordance to the trial regulations. The Helper must give the Handler the opportunity to put the dog in a basic position before the side/back transport begins.

7. In club trials, it is allowed to work with one Helper. If there are more than five dogs entered at an examination level, it is mandatory to employ two Helpers. At trials at a national level, such as championships, qualification trials, etc. a minimum of two Helpers must be used. In all these events, it is permitted to use a Helper who lives in the same household as one of the Handlers.

B. Regulations concerning the conduct of trial Helpers

1. In General

During a trial, the Judge is supposed to evaluate the training level and if possible the quality of a dog (for example instinctive behavior, ability to cope with stress, self-confidence and obedience). The Judge can objectively evaluate what he/she visually and acoustically observes during the course of the trial.

This factor and the aspect of maintaining fair trial conditions throughout the trial (which means offering the same conditions for all participants, if possible) make it essential that the Helper work gives the Judge a clear picture of a dog's performance.

Therefore, it cannot be left up to the Helper how phase C is structured. Furthermore, the Helper has to follow certain rules.

During the trial, the Judge has to check the most important evaluation criteria concerning the individual elements of the exercises during phase C of the trial. These elements are for example the ability to cope with stress, self-donfidence, instinctive behavior, obedience, Furthermore, he must evaluate the quality of the grip, the Helper must give the dog a chance to get a good grip on the sleeve. Or, in order to evaluate the ability to cope with stress, it is necessary that the Helper inflicts pressure on the dog through corresponding action. Therefore, it is desirable that the Helpers perform the Helper work in the most uniform manner possible, so that these elements can be evaluated.

2. The Hold And Bark (IPO 1-3)

The Helper stands -not visible for Handler and dog- with slightly angled sleeve, motionless and without threatening body posture in the assigned blind. The sleeve serves as body protection. The Helper is to watch the dog during the hold and bark. Additional motivation (agitation) as well as help of any kind is not permitted. The Helper is to hold the soft stick on his/her side, pointing down. If a dog bothers or grips the Helper, the Helper may not react with any defensive movements.

3. Prevention of an Attempted of The Helper (IPO 1-3)

After the hold and bark exercise, the Helper is called out of the blind by the Handler. The Helper steps out of the blind at a normal pace and takes position in a spot designated by the Judge (marked escape position). The position assumed by the Helper must allow the Handler to put his/her dog in a down position to the side of the Helper, in a spot designated by the Judge, at a distance of about 5 paces from the Helper, so that the dog can assume the down position on the side of the Helper that is protected by the sleeve. It must be apparent to the Handler in which direction the Helper is going to move for the escape bite. Upon a signal from the Judge, the Helper makes a sudden attempt to escape at a fast pace and in a straight line, without displaying exaggerated or out of control movements. The protective sleeve is not to be moved around in addition to any normal movement to offer the dog an optimal bite.

The Helper may under no circumstances turn towards the dog during the escape. The Helper may have the dog in his/her field of vision. The helper must refrain from pulling the sleeve away. As soon as the dog has a grip on the sleeve, the Helper continues to run in a straight line while pulling the sleeve, while in motion, close to body.

The Judge determines how far the Helper moves away for the escape. The Helper stop the escape upon recieving a signal from the Judge. An adequately energic performance of the Helper during the escape offers the Judge an ideal opportunity for an evaluation. Any type of help offered by the Helper, for example excessive offering of the sleeve before the dog engages, verbal agitation or hitting the soft stick against the pant leg of the protective suit before or during the escape, holding the sleeve without the necessary tension after the dog engages, slowing down as well as stopping the escape independently, etc. is prohibited.

Stopping the exercise, see number 8 (applies to all exercises)

4. Defense of The Dog During Guarding Phase (IPO 1-3)

After the guarding phase, upon a signal from the judge, the Helper makes and attack on the dog. The soft stick is to be utilized by making threatening motions with it above the protective sleeve, without hitting the dog. At the same time, the Helper is attacking the dog frontally by driving the dog forward with corresponding resistance, without additional movement of the sleeve. The sleeve is to be held close to the body. Once the dog has a grip on the sleeve, the Helper places the dog, out of motion, to the side and the pressure phase begins in a straight direction. The Helper must drive all dogs in the same direction. Therefore, the Judge must position himself/herself in such a manner that it is possible to observe and evaluate how the dog acts while attacking, during the pressure phase, evaluate how the dog acts while attacking, during the pressure phase, evaluate the grip, the release and the guarding phase. Driving the dog towards the Handler is not permitted.

The hits with the soft stick are to be placed on the dog's shoulders and in the area of the withers. The intensity of the stick hits has to be the same for all dogs. The first hit is applied after 4-5 paces, the second hit after 4-5 more paces during the pressure phase. After the second stick hit additional pressure, without stick hits, is to be demonstrated.

The Judge determines how far the Helper moves away for the escape. The Helper stop the escape upon recieving a signal from the Judge. An adequately energic performance of the Helper during the escape offers the Judge an ideal opportunity for an evaluation. Any type of help offered by the Helper, for example excessive offering of the sleeve before the dog engages, verbal agitation or hitting the soft stick against the pant leg of the protective suit before or during the escape, holding the sleeve without the necessary tension after the dog engages, slowing down as well as stopping the escape independently, etc. is prohibited.

Stopping the exercise, see number 8 (applies to all exercises)

5. Back Transport (IPO 2-3)

The Helper demonstrates a back transport over a distance of about 30 paces, at a normal pace, upon receiving an order from the Handler. The Judge determines the course of the transport. The Helper is not allowed to make any sudden moves during the back transport. The soft stick and the sleeve are to be carried in such a manner that they do not present an additional stimulation for the dog. The soft stick in particular is to be carried out of the dog's sight. The Helper is to move at the same pace for all dogs.

6. Attack on The Dog Out of The Back Transport (IPO 2-3)

The attack out of the back transport is performed out of motion, upon a signal from the Judge. The Helper performs the attack by making a dynamic left or right turn and running energetically towards the dog. The soft stick is utillized by making threatening motions above the sleeve. The protective sleeve is to be carried in front of the Helper, close to the body. Any additional movement of the sleeve is to be avoided. Once the dog has a grip on the sleeve, the Helper places the dog, out of motion, to the side and the pressure phase begins in a straight direction. The Helper must drive all dogs in the same direction. Therefore, the Judge must position himself/herself in such a manner that it is possible to observe and evaluate how the dog acts while attacking, during the pressure phase, evaluate how the dog acts while attacking, during the pressure phase, evaluate the grip, the release and the guarding phase. Driving the dog towards the Handler is not permitted.

The Judge determines how far the Helper moves away for the escape. The Helper stop the escape upon recieving a signal from the Judge. An adequately energic performance of the Helper during the escape offers the Judge an ideal opportunity for an evaluation. Any type of help offered by the Helper, for example excessive offering of the sleeve before the dog engages, verbal agitation or hitting the soft stick against the pant leg of the protective suit before or during the escape, holding the sleeve without the necessary tension after the dog engages, slowing down as well as stopping the escape independently, etc. is prohibited.

Stopping the exercise, see number 8 (applies to all exercises)

7. Attack on The Dog Out of Motion (IPO 1-3)

On a signal from the Judge, the Helper leaves the assigned blind and moves to the centerline at a normal walking pace (IPO 1) at a running pace (IPO 2-3). The Handler orders the Helper verbally to stop.

The Helper ignores the instruction, and

• From a walking pace goes directly over to a running pace and performs a frontal attack on the Handler and the dog while yelling and making threatening motions with the soft stick (IPO 1)

• Without interrupting the running pace, the Helper performs a frontal attack on the Handler and the dog while yelling and making threatening motions with the soft stick (IPO 2-3)

The dog must be caught with an elastic sleeve position, without the Helper coming to halt.

When catching the dog, the Handler must make a turn with his/her body -if necessary- to compensate for the dog's momentum. Under no circumtances may the Helper around the dog. Once the dog has a grip on the sleeve, the Helper places the dog, out of motion, to the side and the pressure begins in a straight direction. It must be prevented under any circumtances to overrun the dog. The Helper must drive all dogs in the same direction. Therefore, the Judge must position himself/herself in such a manner that it is possible to observe and evaluate how the dog acts while attacking, during the pressure phase, evaluate the grip, the release and the guarding phase. Driving the dog towards the Handler is not permitted.

The Judge determines how far the Helper moves away for the escape. The Helper stop the escape upon recieving a signal from the Judge. An adequately energic performance of the Helper during the escape offers the Judge an ideal opportunity for an evaluation. Any type of help offered by the Helper, for example excessive offering of the sleeve before the dog engages, verbal agitation or hitting the soft stick against the pant leg of the protective suit before or during the escape, holding the sleeve without the necessary tension after the dog engages, slowing down as well as stopping the escape independently, etc. is prohibited.

Stopping the exercise, see number 8 (applies to all exercises)

8. Stopping The Exercise (applies to all exercises)

The stopping of all defense exercises must be conducted in such a manner that the Judge can observe the grip, the out and the guarding phase of the dog (do not stop the exercise with the back turned towards the Judge, maintain eye contact with the Judge). Upon stopping the defense exercise, the Helper must reduce the resistance against the dog. The Helper is to stop the stimulation through movement without noticeably relaxing the arm with the sleeve. The protective sleeve is not to be carried high but remains in the same position it was in during the previous exercise.

The soft stick is to be held on the side of body pointing downward, invisible for the dog. The Helper is not allowed to provide any help for the dog to release. After the dog releases, the Helper maintains eye contact with the dog. Additional stimulation as well as help of any kind is not permitted.

If the dog circles the Helper during the holding phase, in order to keep an eye on the dog, the Helper is allowed to turn with the dog, slowly and without any sudden movements.

9. Insecurities and Failure of The Dog

The Helper has to continue to pressure a dog that does not engage or comes off the sleeve during a pressure phase, until the Judge terminates the exercise.

The Helper is under no circumstances allowed to provide any kind of help or stop the exercise independently. Dogs that do not release, may not be influenced by the Helper through body posture or movement of the soft stick to release. The Helper is not allowed to make dogs, that have a tendency to leave the Helper during the holding phase, stay with the Helper by stimulating the dog. In all exercises or parts of the exercises, the Helper must present himself/herself active or neutral in accordance with the trial regulations. If a dog bumps or grips the Helper during the holding phase, the Helper must avoid making defensive motions.