After a thoroughly enjoyable competition last year it was decided to make the A1 K9 UK Challenge an annual event in the security services working dog calendar. Last year the trial was held at the end of September and thankfully the weather held up on the day but it was thought that rather than gamble on Autumn weather again, the date for this years trial should be moved forward.
This year, the A1K9 UK Challenge will be held on Saturday the 16th of June at the A1 K9 Dog Training Academy just outside Pontardulais near Swansea with obedience and agility rounds starting at 10 am.
The format is to be very similar to that of last year with up to 22 dog and handler teams from the Police, Prisons, security companies and other professional dog users competing in obedience, agility, and protection work scenarios to determine this years winner.
The competition was originally organised by A1K9 in 2006 and was widely acclaimed as a great success by both competitors and spectators alike, many spectators commenting on the discipline and high level of control demonstrated by the competitors and their dogs in the various aspects of the competition. Others were fascinated by the team work and bond between K9 and handler as there are very few events of this type that allow public access.
All in all a good day was had by all and the A1 K9 UK Challenge 2006 raised in excess of £2500 for Macmillan Cancer Support, however, we are optimistic that this year that figure will grow significantly as with more time to organise we are hopeful of a lot more publicity and support.
This year’s trial will start at 10 am with both the obedience and agility rounds taking place simultaneously in adjoining fields. A lunchtime break is planned for around 2 pm and then the three part protection work aspect of the competition will begin.
Hot and cold drinks and a selection of sandwiches savouries and cakes may be purchased from the refreshments area right through the day and a barbecue is planned for after the competition.
Raffle tickets will be available for a prize draw and we will be auctioning certain items at the end of the day all to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
We are fortunate once again to have been able to enlist the help of both Sgt. Jim Gall of South Wales Police and John Humphris of John Humphris Ltd to judge the event as well as many others friends and supporters who have agreed to give their time to promote, organise and help at the event to raise money for this very worthy cause.
With now approximately 8 weeks left before the competition there is still much to do and not a lot of time left in which to do it, so I will also thank in advance, my staff at A1 K9 Ltd and all the volunteers from Macmillan who still have much work left to do to ensure that the event not only rivals but surpasses the A1 K9 UK Challenge 2006.
Please don’t forget all proceeds from this event go to Macmillan Cancer Support the costs of laying on the event are covered entirely by the event organisers and sponsors.
Further information regarding the event will be posted on this page, however, if you have any specific questions or wish to enter, please contact A1 K9 either by phone on +44 (0) 1792 883395 or email info@a1k9.co.uk.
The Competition Schedule is as follows:
UK CHALLENGE 2007
To be held on 16th June 2007
CONTENTS
SCHEDULE
OBEDIENCE
AGILITY
MANWORK
COPY OF SCORE SHEETS
SCHEDULE
The principle and concept of the A1K9 UK CHALLENGE 2007 is to give serving, retired and external Dog Handlers the opportunity to take part with and against their colleagues from other uniformed services and security services.
You will see from our schedule that we have included heel work consisting of both on and off lead obedience, an agility course that uses standard type equipment and a few surprise obstacles and a rolling manwork scenario.
The judging is, by the very nature of this type of event and the variety of Services represented, very difficult to attain and we try to provide judges who have a background to cover the different disciplines for the competition and will provide a fair and non-biased decision.
The judges' marking in all cases will be final and no appeal against any particular decision made by a judge will be considered.
Both the performance of the handler as well as that of the dog will be judged.
Handlers, at all times, will be responsible for their dogs. If during the exercises anything goes wrong the handler will immediately call his/her dog and place it on the lead. Depending on the reason for the above, the judge will either order a re-run or mark as he/she sees fit.
Competitor’s vehicles will be sent to a designated car park and spectators to a different car park, both will be well signposted.
Dress for the competition will be best uniform or appropriate clothing and all equipment used will be standard issue.
To compete in the A1K9 UK CHALLENGE 2007 the competitor must compete in the obedience, agility and manwork competitions using the same dog.
At the start of each part of the event all competitors will be required to attend a pre event briefing where the steward and judge will explain to the handlers what will be required of them during the various exercises.
Hot and cold drinks and food will be available on the day for both competitors and spectators.
At the end of the competition the prize giving will commence, with prizes given for overall position
First, Second and Third, with additional prizes for those scoring top in each discipline.
Prizes
Position |
Trophy |
Cash Prize |
First |
A1 K9 U.K. Challenge Winners Cup |
£250.00 |
Second |
A1 K9 U.K. Challenge 2nd Place Cup |
£100.00 |
Third |
A1 K9 U.K. Challenge 3rd Place Cup |
£ 50.00 |
All profits derived from this event will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support as we feel that this worthy charity helps many people suffering with what is a very cruel disease.
OBEDIENCE
Heelwork 80 MARKS
The dog and handler will be asked to walk at the slow, fast and normal paces as directed by the steward. Work will be done on and then off lead with the lead and collar/chain being handed to the steward. The right turn, left turn, about turn right and about turn left will be incorporated into the exercise as well as the stay in the nominated position given to the steward at the start of the exercise. At each halt, the handler will position his/her dog in the nominated position e.g. the sit. When the handler halts a change of position will be required e.g. from the sit into a down and back to a sit. A recall will be included during the off lead heel work and the dog should move briskly towards the handler and into the present. Finally the handler will run forward and place his/her dog into an emergency running down when asked and the dog will remain in this down for 1 minute with the handler in sight.
Lateral deviations, running ahead, remaining behind, sniffing, repeated commands or breaking the stays will be penalised.
Retrieve 10 MARKS
The dog will retrieve an article that the handler has nominated to the steward and brought with them (otherwise an article will be provided). The dog must not move forward or break position to retrieve the article thrown by the steward until commanded to by the handler on direction of the steward. The dog is required to briskly retrieve the article picking it up without dropping it and return to the handler and into the present. Upon direction by the steward, the handler will take the article from the dog and bring the dog into the heel position.
The handler must not move his/her position during the exercise and any extra commands, dogs breaking position, retrieving before being commanded, dropping the article or showing a lack of concentration will be penalised.
Speak on Command 10 MARKS
The dog will be required to following the handlers command upon direction by the steward to bark firmly and cease immediately.
The handler must not move throughout the exercise and excessive commands, dogs moving towards or away from the handler and failure to speak on command will be penalised.
Marks Available For Obedience
Heel Work On Lead |
20 |
Heel Work Off Lead |
20 |
Emergency Running Down |
10 |
Recall + Present |
10 |
1 Minute Stay |
20 |
Retrieve |
10 |
Speak On Command |
10 |
TOTAL MARKS AVAILABLE: 100
AGILITY
The agility course will consist of 3ft hurdles, 'A' frames, a long jump, a tunnel, a weave, an elevated dog walk, a see saw, a 4ft 6 scale wall, a hoop, a log pile, stacked barrels and a mystery obstacle.
The dog will be required to complete the jumps and remain in a position nominated to the steward, in advance, by the handler.
If the handler wishes to complete the course in an ongoing flowing movement they will nominate this to the steward in advance.
In both cases only one attempt at each obstacle will be allowed, and any assistance from the handler will be penalised.
If the handler has nominated to complete the agility course on the move, failure to keep up to the dog may be penalised.
The handler may nominate to either weave the dog through the weave poles on its own or at the handler's side.
At all time the dog must be off the leash and under control.
Holding onto the dog to keep control will be penalised.
Marks Available For Agility
A Frame: |
10 |
3ft Hurdle: |
10 |
Tunnel: |
10 |
Long Jump: |
10 |
Weave: |
10 |
Elevated Dog Walk: |
10 |
Barrels: |
10 |
A Frame: |
10 |
3 ft Hurdle: |
10 |
Hoop: |
10 |
Elevated Dog Walk: |
10 |
4ft 6 Scale Wall: |
10 |
See Saw: |
10 |
Log Pile |
10 |
Mystery Obstacle: |
10 |
TOTAL MARKS AVAILABLE: 150
MANWORK
The manwork will consist of two criminals entering the arena. On being challenged by the handler, with the dog on the lead, they will run away.
The steward will direct the handler when to release the dog. One criminal will stop and surrender to the handler whilst the other continues to escape discarding a bag in the process.
The handler will be required to deal with the surrendered criminal while the dog will have pursued and caught the second one and held him until the handler arrives.
The handler will run to collect the first criminal and escort him to the steward and then run to rejoin the dog.
The dog will then be called off as soon as the criminal is commanded to stand still. The criminal will be searched and escorted, with the dog off the lead, back to the steward. During the escort, the handler will be required to collect the bag for evidence.
Once the criminal has been handed over to the steward the dog may, if the handler wishes, be placed back on the lead.
Any escorting of criminals in the stick or gun exercises may be carried out on or off the lead.
As soon as the criminal has been handed over another person armed with a stick wearing a jacket with a covert sleeve will enter and attempt to attack the handler. The dog team are expected to apprehend this person, even though the criminal will be making a determined attack on them. As the handler approaches, he/she will ask the criminal to drop his weapon. The weapon is to be collected immediately for safety reason before the dog is called off and before the criminal is escorted to the steward.
Once disarmed and escorted out, another criminal will enter armed with a gun in a full body bitesuit and shoot at the handler. The dog should attack and hold this criminal anywhere on the body if necessary until he has been disarmed by the handler and is under control. Once again the criminal will be told to drop his weapon as the handler approaches and it is to be collected immediately before the criminal is escorted to the steward.
Any dog showing fear, hesitation, a lack of determination, weak bite, slow to leave after command or extra bites, will be penalised as will multiple commands from the handler.
Marks Available For Manwork
Two Man Challenge |
|
|
|
Challenge and Control: |
10 |
Innocent Person: |
10 |
Chase and Attack Determination: |
10 |
Out: |
10 |
Control and Search: |
10 |
Escort: |
10 |
|
|
Stick Attack |
|
|
|
Determination: |
10 |
Out: |
10 |
Control: |
10 |
Escort: |
10 |
|
|
Gun Attack |
|
|
|
Determination: |
10 |
Out: |
10 |
Control: |
10 |
Escort: |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Teamwork: |
10 |
TOTAL MARKS AVAILABLE: 150
A1K9 UK CHALLENGE 2007
Competitor No ............. Name .................................................................. Dog ........................
Representing ......................................................................................................................................................
OBEDIENCE
EXERCISE |
POSSIBLE MARKS |
MARKS AWARDED |
COMMENTS |
Heel Work on Lead
Stay
Heel Work off Lead
Emergency Running Down
Recall + Present
Change of Position
Retrieve
Speak on Command
1 Minute Stay
|
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
20 |
|
|
SUB-TOTAL |
100 |
|
|
A1K9 UK CHALLENGE 2007
Competitor No ............. Name .................................................................. Dog ........................
Representing ......................................................................................................................................................
AGILITY
EXERCISE |
POSSIBLE MARKS |
MARKS AWARDED |
COMMENTS |
3ft Hurdle
Hoop
'A' Frame
4 ft 6 Scale Wall
Long Jump
Tunnel
See Saw
3ft Hurdle
'A' Frame
Elevated Dog Walk
Weave
Barrels
Elevated Dog Walk
Log Pile
Mystery Obstacle
|
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10 |
|
|
SUB-TOTAL |
150 |
|
|
A1K9 UK CHALLENGE 2007
Competitor No ............. Name .................................................................. Dog ........................
Representing ......................................................................................................................................................
MANWORK
EXERCISE |
POSSIBLE MARKS |
MARKS AWARDED |
COMMENTS |
Challenge and Control
Innocent Person
|
10
10 |
|
|
Chase and Attack Determination
Out
Control + Search
Escort
|
10
10
10
10
|
|
|
Stick Attack Determination
Out
Control
Escort
|
10
10
10
10 |
|
|
Gun Attack Determination
Out
Control
Escort
|
10
10
10
10 |
|
|
Teamwork |
10 |
|
|
SUB-TOTAL |
150 |
|
|