ASR Level 3 Rules
NOTE: ASR 3 rules are to be used as a guideline for what to expect at a trial. ASR 3 is a fluid program, subject to change at the discretion of the Evaluator.
1) Following the Handler through Distraction , Part A - 20 pts. This exercise is similar to the triangular heeling patterns at normal speed but with NO stopping. Formal heeling on the left side, with the knee and shoulder of the dog aligned, is not necessary. The dog must remain vigilant to the decoy, who is standing in the center of the triangle while opposing the dog with an object of opposition. The dog must remain one yard from the handler, following the handler but not biting the decoy. This exercise begins and ends like the heeling patterns, with the dog sitting by his handler.
2) Surprise Obedience Exercise - 20 pts. This will be a very difficult exercise and will be conducted within basic ASR rules and parameters.
3) Difficult Down/Stay with Distraction, 3 minutes - 30 pts. The Evaluator will instruct the handler to place his dog on a STAY command in an unusual area predetermined before the trial (i.e., pick-up truck bed, inside a building, on top of a picnic bench, etc.) There will also be food in close proximity to the dog. During the last minute, a distraction will occur that may last for the entire remaining time. At the conclusion of three minutes, the evaluator will signal the handler to return to the dog. The exercise will end upon the handler placing his dog in the Heel/Sit position. At this time, the handler will command his dog to heel off/away from the object.
NOTE: The distraction may come in the form of another dog, a ball, a water sprinkler, fire crackers, an enticing decoy, loud music, gunfire, a car horn, etc.
4) Hunt and Retrieve Test of Difficult Object - 20 pts. At the direction of the Evaluator, the handler will place his dog in a Heel position and command his dog to Stay. The handler will then throw the retrieval object approximately twenty feet into tall grass or brush. Upon signal from the evaluator, the handler will command his dog to retrieve the retrieval object. The retrieve of a thrown object in ASR Level 3 is a test of the dog's natural retrieve and hunt drive. The dog must go out, search for, and then retrieve the retrieval object quickly and with a positive attitude, but need not present the object in formal, show-style obedience.
NOTE: The difficult retrieval object will be provided by the Evaluator on the day of the trial and will be the same for all dogs participating. The object may be of a variety of non-harmful objects such as a telephone book, bowling pin, large glass, soft drink bottle, etc.
NOTE: In the Level 3, there will be one surprise OUT GUARD after the bite, one surprise ESCORT, and one surprise RECALL, during the bite from a moving decoy.
5) Surprise Exercise - 50 pts. This will be a very difficult exercise and will be conducted within basic ASR rules and parameters.
NOTE: These will be OFF Leash Exercises, as specified by the evaluator.
6) Downfield Attack with Unknown Object of Opposition - 40 pts. In a manner described by the Evaluator, the handler will proceed to a predetermined location. The Evaluator will instruct the decoy to a predetermined location downfield. The decoy, upon arrival at the location, will, in a threatening manner and as demonstrated by the Evaluator, hold the object of opposition in front of him. The dog must successfully negotiate the object of opposition and then engage and bite the decoy, who will absorb the dog appropriately. Should the dog go around the object of opposition, the decoy will continue to block the dog with the object to prevent him from biting. After a 10 second fight, the Evaluator will signal the handler to call his dog OUT or OUT GUARD.
NOTE: These will be OFF Leash Exercises, as specified by the evaluator.
7) Civil Defense against Two Assailants - 30 pts. The handler will proceed to a predetermined location and place his dog on ALERT, at which time the Evaluator will signal two unsuited decoys to approach the Team in a threatening manner. The dog should display willingness to attack the two unsuited decoys. Upon displaying willingness to engage the decoys, the Evaluator will signal to end the exercise.
8) Muzzle Defense against Two Assailants - 30 pts. The handler will proceed to a predetermined location. Upon signal of the Evaluator, the handler will place the muzzle on the dog and demonstrate the muzzle safety test. The handler will then place his hand through the loop at the end of the 6 ft. leash, and, with his second hand, grasp the collar of the dog. Upon signal from the Evaluator, two unsuited decoys shall approach the handler in a threatening manner, one following the other, approximately ten feet apart. When the first decoy comes within 6 ft. of the handler, the handler will release the collar of the dog and the dog should "punch" into the first decoy with a solid blow. At that moment, the first decoy will back away and the handler will quickly retrieve his dog and send him on the approaching second decoy, who must be stopped by a solid blow from the muzzled dog, at which time the Evaluator will call an end to the exercise.
9) RECALL before the Bite - 40 pts. In a manner described by the Evaluator, the handler will proceed to a predetermined location with the dog. The decoy will go to a predetermined location and begin challenging the Team with a bamboo stick. Upon direction of the Evaluator, the handler will then send his dog. When the dog passes the Call-Off marker, the handler will Call his dog back to him before the bite, at which time the dog must come back to the handler without biting the decoy.
NOTE: These will be OFF Leash Exercises, as specified by the evaluator.
10) Seated, Muzzled, Defense of the Handler - 60 pts. This exercise will be identical to the Level 1, Seated Defense of the Handler, with the exception of the dog being ON LEASH and MUZZLED, and the addition of a second, unsuited decoy making a surprise attack, as a fourth part to the exercise. The surprise attack will occur when the suited decoy stops his third approach, without striking the handler. The unsuited decoy will attack while the dog is focusing on the suited decoy. The dog should pummel the attacking, unsuited decoy when he strikes the handler, at which time, the evaluator will call an end to the exercise. The purpose of this exercise is to prevent equipment fixation.
11) Downfield Attack with Water Hose - 40 pts. Upon direction from the evaluator, the handler will walk his dog to a pre designated location. At this time, the decoy will proceed to a pre-designated location, where he will pick up a water hose and spray a stream of water toward the handler and dog. Upon direction of the evaluator, the handler will release his dog, who must penetrate the water barrier and bite the decoy spraying him with the water. After the dog is biting the decoy, the decoy may spray his body with water but not the dogs head.
NOTE: These will be OFF Leash Exercises, as specified by the Evaluator.
12) Difficult Building Search - 50 pts. This exercise differs from Level 1 & 2 Building Search in the following areas. The building is baited; there are two decoys hiding in the building; and, the dog will not see the decoys entering the building. Upon signal from the Evaluator and after giving two warnings to come out, the handler will release his dog. The dog should find and apprehend the first decoy, at which time the second decoy will ambush the dog with an unknown object of opposition and STRONGLY oppose the dog. The dog should immediately transfer to the second decoy at the moment of the ambush. If the dog does not transfer, there will be a point deduction. There will also be a point deduction for slow transfers. If the dog licks or eats the bait, the dog will automatically fail the exercise.
NOTE: The Search Time shall be limited to 3 minutes or as specified by the evaluator.
13) Cold Woods Search - 50 pts. This exercise will be identical to the Level 1, with the exception of the dog NOT seeing the decoy entering the woods.
NOTE: The search time shall be limited to 3 minutes or as specified by the evaluator.
NOTE: An additional 20 points has been added to the aggregate score of 480 to make the maximum be 500 points. These 20 points will be determined by the Evaluator on observation of the biting quality of the dog. Frontal or very shallow biters will receive 0 points. Less than ½ mouth consistently receive 10 or fewer points. Biting with ½ mouth consistently will receive 15 points. Biting with ½ or more mouth and readjusting to full-mouth bite consistently will receive the maximum of 20 points.
