BLACKFACE MALINOIS

Phase B: Obedience 100 points

The Judge gives the signal to begin each exercise. Everything else such as about turns, halts, change of pace etc. will be carried out without signals from the Judge.

The verbal commands are described in the guidelines. Verbal commands are normally spoken, brief commands, consisting of one word. The commands may be given in any language. However, the same command is to be used for the same task at all times. If a dog does not perform the exercise or part of the exercise after receiving three commands, the exercise is to be terminated without a score. For the reacll it is permissible to use the dog's name instead of the verbal command "Hier/Come". However, the name of the dog in conjunction with any verbal command is considered a double command.

In a basic position the dog is sitting closely and straight on the left-hand side of the Handler, whereas the dog's shoulder is level with the Handler's knee. Each exercise begins and ends in a basic position. It is only permitted to assume a basic position once at the start of an exercise. Brief praising of the dog is only permitted after each exercise is completed and only in a basic position. Upon praising the dog, the Handler can assume a new basic position. In any case, there must by a distinct pause (approximately 3 seconds) in between praising the dog and starting a new exercise.

An exercise is developed out of a basic position. The Handler must show a minumum of 10 paces or a maximum of 15 paces before giving the verbal command for the execution of the exercise.

Between all fronts and finishes, as well as the part where the Handler returns to the sitting, standing or lying dog, a distinct pause (approximately 3 seconds) is to be observed, before a new verbal command may be given. When the Handler returns to the dog, he/she may do so by approaching the dog from the front or by going around behind the dog.

Correct free heeling is to be demonstrated at all times in between exercises. The dog has to accompany the Handler when he/she picks-up the dumbbells. It is not permitted to play or pump-up the dog.

The about turn is a left about turn. The dog may come around behind the Handler or back up from the front. However, it must be performed in the same manner throught the trial.

The dog may perform the finish by going around behind the Handler or by executing a flip finish from in front of the Handler.

The non-flexible hurdle is 100 cm high and 150 cm wide. The scaling wall consists of two parts connected at the top. The two sides of the wall are 150 cm wide and 191 cm high. The wall is to be positioned on the ground in such a manner that the vertical height is 180 cm. Both sides of the scaling wall must be covered with a nonskid material. Three cleats (approximately 24/48 mm) shall be attached to the upper part. All dogs entered in a trial must jump over the same obstacles.

For the retrieve exercises only dumbbells are allowed (650 g). The dumbbells provided by the organizer are to be used by all participants. It is not permitted to place the dumbbell in the dog's mouth prior to the exercise.

If a Handler forgets to perform an exercise, the Judge will instruct the Handler to perform the missing exercise. No points are deducted for this.

01. Heeling Off Leash

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel

The Handler is permitted to use the command only when starting from a basic position and when changing pace.

B. Description:

Before starting the exercise the Handler will approach the Judge with his/her free heeling dog. The Handler will report to the Judge. The dog should sit at heel during the reporting process.

Out of the basic position the dog is to follow the Handler attentively, happily and in a straight manner, upon recieving the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel" from the Handler. The dog's shoulder blade must remain level with the Handler's left knee. When the Handler stops, the dog must sit quickly and straight without any influence from the Handler. At the start of the exercise Handler and dog must sit quickly and straight without any influence from the Handler. At the start of the exercise Handler and dog must walk 50 paces straight forward without stopping. After demonstrating the about turn and 10-15 more paces the Handler must show a fast and slow pace (at least 10 paces each). The transition from fast pace to slow pace is to be performed without any transitional steps in between. The two different paces must be distinctly different in speed.

Then, at a normal pace, Handler and dog must perform at least one right turn, one left turn and one about turn. A halt from a normal pace must be performed at least once. While the Handler and the dog walk down the first straight leg, two shots are fired (caliber 6 mm), five seconds apart. The shots are fired at a distance of at least 15 paces from the dog. The dog must remain indifferent to the gunshots. On instruction by the Judge, at the end of the exercise, the Handler and dog walk through a moving group, consisting of at least four people. In the group, the Handler must heel the dog around two persons, one to the left and one to the right and must halt at least once in the group. The Judge is entitled to ask the Handler to repeat the exercise. The Handler and the dog leave the group and assume a basic position.

C. Evaluation:

Forging, heeling wide, lagging, slow or hesitant sits, additional commands, physical help from the Handler, inattentiveness during heeling at all paces and all turns and/or an unhappy working attitude of the dog are to be evaluated accordingly.

02. Sit in Motion

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel - Sitz/Sit

B. Description:

From a basic position the Handler goes straight forward with his/her free heeling dog.

After 10-15 paces, the Handler gives the verbal command "Sitz/Sit" and the dog must sit quickly and straight without the Handler stopping, altering his/her pace or looking back at the dog. The Handler goes on another 30 paces, then stops and turns immediately to face his/her calmly sitting dog. At the Judge's signal the Handler returns to the dog and positions him/herself on the dog's right side.

C. Evaluation:

Faulty build up, slow sitting down, restless and inattentive sitting are to be evaluated accordingly. 5 points will be deducated if the dog lies down or remains standing.

03. Down in Motion With Recall <Walking>

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel - Platz/Down - Hier/Come - Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

From a basic position the Handler moves straight forward his/her free heeling dog.

After 10-15 paces, the Handler gives the verbal command "Platz/Down" and the dog must sit quickly and straight without the Handler stopping, altering his/her pace or looking back at the dog. The Handler goes on another 30 paces, then stops and turns immediately to face his/her calmly sitting dog. At the Judge's signal the Handler recalls the dog using the command "Hier/Come" or the dog's name. The dog must come in happily, quickly and directly and must sit closely and straight in front of the Handler. Once the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel", the dog must quickly go to sit straight in front of the whereas the dog's shoulder blade is level with the Handler's knee.

C. Evaluation:

Faulty build up, slow downing, restlessness, slow recall or slowing down while returning to the Handler, splay legged stance of the Handler, faulty sit in front of the Handler and a faulty finish are to be evaluated accordingly. If the dog remains standing or sits after receiving the commands 5 points will be deducted.

04. Down in Motion With Recall <Running>

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel - Platz/Down - Hier/Come - Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

From a basic position the Handler moves straight forward his/her free heeling dog.

After 10-15 paces, followed by 10-15 paces at a running pace, the Handler gives the verbal command "Platz/Down" and the dog must sit quickly and straight without the Handler stopping, altering his/her pace or looking back at the dog. The Handler goes on another 30 paces, then stops and turns immediately to face his/her calmly sitting dog. At the Judge's signal the Handler recalls the dog using the command "Hier/Come" or the dog's name. The dog must come in happily, quickly and directly and must sit closely and straight in front of the Handler. Once the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel", the dog must quickly go to sit straight in front of the whereas the dog's shoulder blade is level with the Handler's knee.

C. Evaluation:

05. Stand in Motion <Walking>

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel - Steh/Stand - Sitz/Sit

B. Description:

From a basic position the Handler goes straight forward with his/her free heeling dog.

After 10-15 paces, the Handler gives the verbal command "Steh/Stand" and the dog must stand quickly and straight without the Handler stopping, altering his/her pace or looking back at the dog. The Handler goes on another 30 paces, then stops and turns immediately to face his/her calmly standing dog. At the Judge's signal the Handler returns to the dog and positions him/herself on the dog's right side. After 3 seconds pause, the Handler gives the dog the verbal command "Sit/Sitz". The dog must sit down quickly and straight.

C. Evaluation:

Faulty build up, stretching of the command, restless standing, taking steps in the direction of the Handler, restlessness while the Handler is returning, slow sitting down at the finish are to be evaluated accordingly. 5 points will be deducted if the dog sits or lies down upon receiving the verbal command "Steh/Stand".

06. Stand in Motion <Running>

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel - Steh/Stand - Hier/Come - Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

From a basic position the Handler moves straight out, at a running pace, with his/her free heeling dog.

After 10-15 paces, the Handler gives the verbal command "Steh/Stand" and the dog must stand quickly and straight without the Handler stopping, altering his/her pace or looking back at the dog. The Handler goes on another 30 paces, then stops and turns immediately to face his/her calmly standing dog. At the Judge's signal the Handler recalls the dog using the command "Hier/Come" or the dog's name. The dog must come in happily, quickly and directly and must sit closely and straight in front of the Handler. Once the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel", the dog must quickly go to sit straight in front of the whereas the dog's shoulder blade is level with the Handler's knee.

C. Evaluation:

07. Retrieve on The Flat

A. Verbal Command: Bring/Fetch - Aus/Out - Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

From a basic position the Handler throws a dumbbell about 10 paces far. The verbal command "Bring/Fetch" is not to be given untuk the dumbbell is lying completely still. The dog sits calmly and free next to the Handler. Upon receiving the verbal command "Bring/Fetch", the dog run quickly and directly to the dumbbell, pick it up immediately and return it to the Handler quickly and directly. The dog is to sit closely and straight in front of the Handler. The dog is to hold the dumbbell calmly in his mouth until the Handler, after a pause of about three seconds, takes the dumbbell away by giving the command "Aus/Out". The Handler must hold the dumbbell calmly in his/her right hand, with the right arm strectched out alongside the right side of the body. On the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel", the dog must quickly go into a basic position and sit straight on the Handler's left side, whereas the dog's shoulder blade is level with the Handler's knee. The Handler is not permitted to change positions during the entire exercise.

C. Evaluation:

Faulty basic position, slow go out, faulty pick up, slow comming back, dropping of the dumbbell, playing with the dumbbell or mouthing, splay legged stance of the Handler, faulty sit in front of the Handler and faulty finishare to be evaluated accordingly. Throwing the dumbbell too short as well as help from the Handler, without changing his/her position, leads to point deduction.

If the Handler leaves his/her position before the exercise is finished, the exercise will be rated unsatisfactory. If the dog does not retrieve the dumbbell, the exercise will be evaluated with 0 points.

08. Retrieve Over a Hurdle 1 meter

A. Verbal Command: Hopp/Jump - Bring/Fetch - Aus/Out - Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

The Handler assumes a basic position in front of the hurdle with his/her dog, at a distance of at least 5 paces from the hurdle. From the basic position the Handler throws a dumbbell over the 100 cm high hurdle. The verbal command for jumping is not to be given until the dumbbell is lying completely still. The dog sits calmly and free next to the Handler.

Upon receiving the verbal command "Hopp/Jump" (the verball command "Bring/Fetch" must be given while the dog is jumping over a hurdle), the dog is to jump over the hurdle, run quickly and directly to the dumbbell, pick it up immediately, turn around and jump over the hurdle and return the dumbbell to the Handler quickly and directly.

The dog is to sit closely and straight in front of the Handler. The dog is to hold the dumbbell calmly in his mouth until the Handler, after a pause of about three seconds, takes the dumbbell away by giving the command "Aus/Out". The Handler must hold the dumbbell calmly in his/her right hand, with the right arm strectched out alongside the right side of the body. On the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel", the dog must quickly go into a basic position and sit straight on the Handler's left side, whereas the dog's shoulder blade is level with the Handler's knee. The Handler is not permitted to change positions during the entire exercise.

C. Evaluation:

Faulty basic position, slow jump and go out, faulty pick up, slowly return jump, dropping of the dumbbell, playing with the dumbbell or mouthing, splay legged stance of the Handler, faulty sit in front of the Handler and faulty finishare to be evaluated accordingly. For touching of the hurdle up to 1 point must be deducted per jump and for stepping on the hurdle up to 2 points must be deducted.

Going out jump = 5 points

Retrieve = 5 points

Return jump = 5 points

A partial score for the exercise is only possible if at least two out of the three parts of the exercise (going out jump - retrieve - return jump) were completed.

Both jumps perfect, retrieve without faults = 15 points

Going out jump or return jump refused, retrieve without faults = 10 points

Both jump perfect, dumbbell not retrieved = 10 points

If the dumbbell that is thrown by the Handler lands too far over to one side or is poorly visible for the dog, the Handler may ask the Judge for permission to re-throw the dumbbell, or the Judge may suggest a re-throw. No point deduction will result from this. the dog must remain sitting while this is going on.

Any Handler help without changing his/her position, is to be evaluated accordingly. If the Handler leaves his/her position before the exercise is finished, the exercise is rated unsatisfactory.

09. Retrieve Over a Scaling Wall 1,8 meter

A. Verbal Command: Hopp/Jump - Bring/Fetch - Aus/Out - Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

The Handler assumes a basic position in front of the wall with his/her dog, at a distance of at least 5 paces from the wall. From the basic position the Handler throws a dumbbell over the scaling wall. The verbal command for jumping is not to be given until the dumbbell is lying completely still. The dog sits calmly and free next to the Handler.

Upon receiving the verbal command "Hopp/Jump" (the verball command "Bring/Fetch" must be given while the dog is climbing over a wall), the dog must climb over the wall, run quickly and directly to the dumbbell, pick it up immediately, turn around and climb back over the wall and return the dumbbell to the Handler quickly and directly.

C. Evaluation:

Going out jump = 5 points

Retrieve = 5 points

Return jump = 5 points

A partial score for the exercise is only possible if at least two out of the three parts of the exercise (going out jump - retrieve - return jump) were completed.

Both jumps perfect, retrieve without faults = 15 points

Going out jump or return jump refused, retrieve without faults = 10 points

Both jump perfect, dumbbell not retrieved = 10 points

Any Handler help without changing his/her position, is to be evaluated accordingly. If the Handler leaves his/her position before the exercise is finished, the exercise is rated unsatisfactory.

10. Send Away With Down

A. Verbal Command: Voraus/Go - Platz/Down - Sitz/Sit

B. Description:

From a basic position, the Handler walks with his/her free heeling dog in the direction he/she has been instructed to go by the Judge. After 10-15 paces the Handler gives the dog the verbal command "Voraus/Go Out". Stimultaneosly the Handler lifts his/her arm (only once) and stops. The dog must go out purposefully, at a fast pace and in a straight line, at least 30 paces in the indicated direction. On the Judge's signal, the Handler gives the verbal command "Platz/Down". The dog must down immediately. The Handler may keep his/her arm raised until the dog lies down. On the Judge's signal, the Handler returns to his/her dog and locates him/herself on the dog's right side. After about three seconds the Handler gives the dog the verbal command "Sitz/Sit" and the dog must sit up quickly and straight into a basic position.

C. Evaluation:

Faulty build up, the Handler is following the dog, dog is going out too slowly, strong deviation to the side, too short of a distance, too early or hesitant lying down, restless lying down or standing up/sitting up prematurely when the Handler picks up the dog are to be evaluated accordingly.

11. Long Down Under Distraction

A. Verbal Command: Platz/Down - Sitz/Sit

B. Description:

Before the beginning of another dog's obedience exercise in phase B, the Handler downs his/her dog with the verbal command "Platz/Down", out of a straight basic position, in a spot designated by the Judge, without leaving the leash or any type of article with the dog. Then, the Handler walks away without turning around, within the boundaries of the exercise grounds. about 30 paces, and remains there quietly standing in sight of the dog, with his/her back towards the dog. The dog must calmly remain in the down position without any influence from the Handler, while the other dog is performing exercise Retrieve Over a Scaling Wall. On the Judge's signal, the Handler returns to the dog and positions him/herself on the dog's right side. After a brief pause of about three seconds, the dog recieves the command "Sitz/Sit". The dog is to sit up quickly and straight into a basic position.

C. Evaluation:

Restless behavior of the Handler or other hidden Handler help, restless lying down or premature standing up/sitting up when the Handler returns, are to be evaluated accordingly. If the dog sits up or is standingbut remains in the designated area, partial points will be given. If the dog removes itself from the designated area by more than 3 meters before the other dog has completed exercise Down in Motion With Recall <Walking> (IPO 1), Stand in Motion <Walking> (IPO 2) dan Retrieve on The Flat (IPO 3), 0 (zero) points will be given for this exercise. If the dog leaves the designated area after exercise Down in Motion With Recall <Walking> (IPO 1), Stand in Motion <Walking> (IPO 2) dan Retrieve on The Flat (IPO 3) completed, partial points will be given. If the dog walks towards the Handler when the Handler returns to the dog, up to 3 points may be deducted.