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205 Exercises
Prepared by Linda Siekert
Scent Discrimination
Prior to entering the ring, the handler presents the judge with a container full of leather and metal scent "articles". In the past, these articles were dumbbells but the AKC recently changed this criteria; with the judges approval, articles can be whatever object the handler chooses, as long as they are identical, clearly numbered and there are 5 of each (leather and metal) for a total of 10 articles.
Without actually touching them, the judge will select a metal and leather article bearing the same number, and place them in an accessible area for the handler (usually on a chair reserved for this purpose). When time for the exercise, a ring steward will take the container with the remaining 8 articles to the middle of the ring and, with the dog and handler watching, will spread the remaining articles randomly on the ground, being certain to touch each article.
Once done, the dog and handler will turn their back to the article pile (thus keeping the dog and handler unaware of where the scented article is placed), the handler will pick up either of the articles set aside by the judge (their choice) and scent the article between the palms of their hands or fingertips. The handler will place the scented article on the back of the judges clipboard; the judge will take the scented article and without touching it (either by using tongs or gently dropping the article directly from the clipboard) will place it amongst the other articles.
The judge will order the handler to turn and send their dog. The handler and dog will pivot to face the article pile and the dog will, depending on which "send" the handler chose at the start of the exercise, either head directly to the pile or will sit at heel and wait for the handler's command to find it, at which time the dog is expected to find the handlers scented article, retrieve it and return. On the judges order the handler will take the article and command the dog to finish. The exercise is then repeated using the remaining article.
The dog is selecting the correct article to retrieve in Scent Discrimination
In Graduate Open only 4 total articles will be placed in the “pile”, the dog and handler are to remain facing the pile throughout the whole exercise and only one article will be scented and retrieved.
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