BLACKFACE MALINOIS

Phase C: Protection 100 points

General Regulations:

In a suitable location six blinds are to be set up along the lenght of the field, in a stahhered fashion, three on each side. Necessary markings must be clearly visible for the Handler, the Judge and the Helper.

The Helper must be equipped with a protection suit, sleeve and soft stick. The sleeve must be equipped with a bite bar and the sleeve cover must be made from burlap (jute) in a natural color.

If it is neessary for the Helper to keep a close eye on the dog during the guarding phase, the Helper is not required to stand still, though he is not permitted to make any threatening or defensive movements. The Helper must protect his body with the sleeve. It is up to the Handler in which way he/she chooses to take the soft stick away from the Helper.

It is possible to work with only one Helper at all examination levels. If more than 7 dogs are entered at the same examination level a second Helper is mandatory. All dogs within the same examination level must be worked by the same Helper/Helpers.

Dogs that are out of control, that, after a defense exercise, do not release or release only after the Handler takes physical measures, that bite other parts of the Helper's body (rather) than the sleeve, must be disqualified. No TSB rating is given.

For dogs that fail during a defense exercise or get chased away, the protection phase is to be terminated. The dog does not receive a score in the protection phase. However, the dog must receive a TSB rating. The verbal command "Aus/Out" is permitted one time during all defense exercise. Evaluation for the "Out" see table below.

Slow out : 0,5 - 3,0

1st. additional command followed byt immediately out : 3,0

1st. additional command followed by slow out : 3,5 - 6

2nd. additional command followed by immediately out : 6,0

2nd. additional command followed by slow out : 6,5 - 9

No out after 2nd. additional command, respectively additional influence : disqualifiaction

1. Search For The Helper

A. Verbal Command: Revier/Search or Voran/Go Ahead - Hier/Come

The verbal command "Hier/Come" may be given in conjunction with the dog's name.

B. Description:

The Helper is located in the last blind, out of the dog's sight. The Handler positions him/herself with his/her free heeling dog between the fourth and fifth blind prior to starting the blind search (IPO 1) so that two side sweeps are possible. Second and third blind (IPO 2) and first blind (IPO 3). On the Judge's signal phase C begins.

After the Handler gives the verbal command "Revier/Search" in conjunction with a visual command, which is executed with either the right or left arm and may be repeated, the dog must quickly leave the Handler and approach the fifth blind. The dog must run around the blind closely and attentively. As soon as the dog has searched the fifth blind the Handler gives the dog the verbal command "Hier/Come" (it is permissible to use the dog's name in conjunction with the command) and sends the dog while he/she is in motion, by using the verbal command "Revier/Search", into the Helper blind. The Handler is moving at a normal pace down an imaginary middle line. The Handler is not permitted to leave this imaginary line during the search for the Helper. The dog must be in front of the Handler at all times. When the dog reaches the Helper blind the Handler is required to stand still. At this point no further verbal or visual commands are permitted.

C. Evaluation:

Limitations concerning manageability, fast and purposeful approach of the blinds as well as close and attentive running around the blind are to be deducted accordingly.

2. Hold and Bark

A. Verbal Command: Hier/Fuzz or Come/Heel

B. Decription:

The dog must confront the Helper actively and attentively and bark continously. The dog is not permitted to jump on or grip the Helper. After the dog has barked for approximately 20 seconds, the Handler approaches the blind, upon receiving a signal from the Judge and stops about 5 paces away from it. On the Judge's signal the Handler calls his/her dog out of the blind into a basic position.

C. Evaluation:

Limitations regarding the continous and demanding bark and forceful hold, not influenced by the Judge or the approaching Handler until the verbal command is given, are to be deducted accordingly. 5 points are given for continuous barking. For weak barking 2 points are deducted. If the dog does not bark but is guarding the Helper actively, attentively and closely 5 points are deducted.

Bothering of the Helper, for example bumping, jumping up onm the Helper etc. leads to a deduction of up to 2 points. Up to 9 points may be deducted for heavy gripping. If the dog leaves the Helper before the Handler receives the signal from the Judge to leave the middle line, the dog may be sent into the blind a second time. If the dog stays with the Helper this time, the protection phase may be continued, though the hold and bark is to be rated insufficient. If the dog does not want to search the blind or leaves the Helper again, phase C is to be terminated. If the dog returns to the Handler when he/she approaches the blind to pick up the dog, or the dog returns to the Handler prior to receiving the verbal command to do so, partial points are given reflecting an insufficient rating.

3. Prevention of an Attempted Escape of The Helper

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel - Platz/Down - Aus/Out"

B. Description:

Upon a signal from the Judge, the Handler orders the Helper to step out of the blind. The Helper moves at a normal pace to the designated location for the escape. On a signal from the Judge, the Handler moves with his/her free heeling dog to the designated location for the dog to down before the escape. The distance between dog and Helper is 5 paces. The Handler leaves his/her guarding dog in the down position and moves into the blind, maintaining visual contact with the dog, the Judge and the Helper. On the Judge's signal the Helper tries to escape. The dog must immediately and independently prevent the escape effectively, withour hesitation and by means of an energetic and strong grip. The dog may only bite the Helper's sleeve. On the Judge's signal the Helper stands still. When the Helper stops moving the dog is to release immediately. The Handler may give a verbal command "Aus/Out" on his/her own, within an appropriate time.

If the dog does not release after first command, the Handler may give up to two additional commands "Aus/Out", upon receiving a signal from the Judge. If the dog does not release after having received three commands (one permissible and two additional commands), the team is to be disqualified. The Handler has to be stand calmly, without influencing the dog in any way, while giving the command "Aus/Out". Upon releasing the Helper, the dog must stay close to the Helper and guard him attentively.

C. Evaluation:

Limitations concerning important evaluation criteria are to be deducted accordingly. Fast and energetic response and pursuit in conjunction with a powerful engagement and effective prevention of the escape, full and calm grip until the release, attentive and close guarding of the Helper. If the dog remains in the down position or has not prevented the escape by means of biting and holding after the Helper has taken about 20 steps, the protection phase is to be terminated.

If the dog is slightly inattentive and/or bothers the Helper slightly during the guarding phase the exercise will be marked down by one grade. If the dog is guarding the Helper very inattentively and/or is bothering the Helper very much, the exercise is marked down by two grades. If the dog is not guarding the Helper but stays with him, the exercise is marked down by three grades. If the dog leaves the helper or if the Handler gives a verbal command for the dog to stay on the Helper, phase C is to be terminated.

4. Defense of The Dog During Guarding Phase

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

B. Description:

After a guarding phase of about 5 seconds the Helper makes an attack on the dog, on the Judge's signal. Without any influence from the Handler the dog must defend itself through energetic and powerful gripping. The dog may only bite the protective sleeve of the Helper.

As soon as the dog has a grip on the sleeve, the Helper applies two stick hits. Hits may only be applied to the shoulders and the area of the withers. Upon a signal from the Judge the Helper stand still. After the Helper has stopped the attack and is standing still, the dog must out immediately. The Handler may give a verbal command "Aus/Out" on his own at the appropriate time.

Upon a signal from the Judge the Handler walks directly to his/her dog at a normal pace and with the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel" he puts the dog in a basic position. The soft stick is not taken from the Helper.

C. Evaluation:

If the dog is slightly inattentive and/or bothers the Helper slightly during the guarding phase the exercise will be marked down by one grade. If the dog is guarding the Helper very inattentively and/or is bothering the Helper very much, the exercise is marked down by two grades. If the dog is not guarding the Helper but stays with him, the exercise is marked down by three grades. If the dog comes towards the Handler when he/she approaches, the exercise is rated insufficient. If the dog leaves the helper or if the Handler gives a verbal command for the dog to stay on the Helper, phase C is to be terminated.

5. Back Transport

A. Verbal Command: Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

Exercise Defense of The Dog During Guarding Phase is followed by the back transport of the Helper over a distance of about 30 paces. The course of the back transport is prescribed by the Judge. The Handler instructs the Helper to start walking. the Handler follows the Helper with his/her free heeling dog at a distance of about 5 paces. The dog is to watch the Helper attentively. A distance of 5 paces to the Helper must be maintained throughout the entire back transport.

C. Evaluation:

Limitations concerning important evaluation criteria are to be deducted accordingly. Watching the Helper attentively, exact heeling, maintaining a distance of 5 paces to the Helper.

6. Attack on The Dog Out of The Back Transport

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

B. Description:

Out of the back transport an attack is performed out of motion, on a signal from the Judge. Without any influence from the Handler and without hestitation, the dog is to counter the attack by means of an energetic and powerful grip.

Upon a signal from the Judge the Handler walks directly to his/her dog at a normal pace and with the verbal command "Fuzz/Heel" he puts the dog in a basic position. The soft stick is taken from the Helper.

A side transport of the Helper to the Judge, over a distance of about 20 paces, follows. A verbal command "Fuzz/Heel" is allowed. The dog must be positioned on the right side of the Helper, so that the dog is between the Helper and the Handler. During the side transport, the dog must watch the Helper attentively. The dog may neither bother, jump on nor grip the Helper. The group stops in front of the Judge, the Handler presents the soft stick to the Judge and reports out.

C. Evaluation:

If the dog is slightly inattentive and/or bothers the Helper slightly during the guarding phase the exercise will be marked down by one grade. If the dog is guarding the Helper very inattentively and/or is bothering the Helper very much, the exercise is marked down by two grades. If the dog is not guarding the Helper but stays with him, the exercise is marked down by three grades. If the dog comes towards the Handler when he/she approaches, the exercise is rated insufficient. If the dog leaves the helper or if the Handler gives a verbal command for the dog to stay on the Helper, phase C is to be terminated.

7. Attack on The Dog Out of Motion

A. Verbal Command: Sitz/Sit - Stell/Go atau Hold - Aus/Out - Fuzz/Heel (IPO 1, 2)

Sitz/Sit - Stell/Go atau Hold - Aus/Out (IPO 3)

B. Description:

The Handler with his/her dog is sent to a marked spot on the centerline of the exercise ground, level with the first blind. The dog may be held by its collar but it is not permissible to stimulate the dog. On a signal from the Judge the Helper, who is equipped with a soft stick, steps out of the blind and runs to the centerline (IPO 1). Helper runs out of the blind to the centerline (IPO 2, 3). Once the Helper has reached the centerline, he turns towards the Handler and performs a frontal attack on the Handler and the dog, without stopping or slowing down, while yelling and making strong threateing motions. As soon as the Helper has reached a point about 60 paces away from the Handler and the dog, the Handler releases his/her dog upon a signal from the Judge, with the verbal command "Stell/Go or Hold". Upon receiving the command, the dog is to engage without hesitation and must prevent the attack by means of an energic and strong grip.

The dog may only grip the protective sleeve of the Helper. The Handler may not move from his/her position. On a signal from the Judge, the Helper stops the attack. After the Helper has stopped the attack and is standing still, the dog must release immediately. The Handler may give a verbal command "Aus/Out" on his/her own at the appropriate time.

C. Evaluation:

If the dog is slightly inattentive and/or bothers the Helper slightly during the guarding phase the exercise will be marked down by one grade. If the dog is guarding the Helper very inattentively and/or is bothering the Helper very much, the exercise is marked down by two grades. If the dog is not guarding the Helper but stays with him, the exercise is marked down by three grades. If the dog comes towards the Handler when he/she approaches, the exercise is rated insufficient. If the dog leaves the helper or if the Handler gives a verbal command for the dog to stay on the Helper, phase C is to be terminated.

8. Defense of The Dog Out of The Guarding Phase

A. Verbal Command: Aus/Out - Fuzz/Heel (Finish) - Fuzz/Heel

B. Description:

C. Evaluation:

If the dog is slightly inattentive and/or bothers the Helper slightly during the guarding phase the exercise will be marked down by one grade. If the dog is guarding the Helper very inattentively and/or is bothering the Helper very much, the exercise is marked down by two grades. If the dog is not guarding the Helper but stays with him, the exercise is marked down by three grades. If the dog comes towards the Handler when he/she approaches, the exercise is rated insufficient. If the dog leaves the helper or if the Handler gives a verbal command for the dog to stay on the Helper, phase C is to be terminated.