CollieKat Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Hi folks, I was having a wee browse through the AKC obed site today trying to familiarise myself with the rules etc. I came across some photos of dogs sent out to a selection of dumbbells (possibly 8-10 all scattered). I was just wondering if this is a scent exercise or what way does it work? TIA. Kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 In CKC (Canadian) that would be a scent exercise and since many US competitors come to Canada for titling their dogs, I suspect it works like this. The handler will have their own set of dumbells, usually 3 leather, 3 metal, 3 wood. the judge will point to a particular dumbbell, the handler will 'put their scent on it' and all the dumbbells will be put down. The dog is then sent to find the appropriate dumbbell, and bring it back to the handler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Oh, I forgot to add...in Canada, Border Collies are not recognized by the CKC, so cannot compete in any CKC sanctioned events, such as obedience and THANKFULLY, conformation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollieKat Posted June 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 The photos were taken at the national obedience championships event which i believe is akc? I'll try find the pics again after i get back from work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 That's part of the Utility exercise. Handler touches 1 metal article, then dog is sent out to find it and bring it back to handler; repeated with leather articles. AKC and UKC both have variations of it. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tessa_s212 Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 AKC only has the metal. Wood holds scent therefor causing the dog to get confused on which article. This is especially true if you show two days in a row. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Tessa-are you sure that AKC only has metal? The last obedience trial I attended (in November 2004), AKC utility used metal and leather (not wood). UKC may only use metal articles, now. It's been awhile since I've been at a UKC event. The open retrieving exercises use a dumb bell, which can be plastic or wood, I think. Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tessa_s212 Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Well, I was certain that they did not use wood, and pretty certain no leather. That is, in the scent article excersize. The dumbell retrieve can be plastic, wood, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 This is from Section 8 of the Utility Exercises (found online at AKC.org): "In each of these two exercises, the dog must select and retrieve an article that has been handled by its handler. The dog must make this selection based on scent alone. The articles will be provided by the handler and will consist of two sets, each comprised of five identical objects, which may be items of everyday use. The size of the articles will be proportionate to the size of the dog. One set must be made entirely of rigid metal and one of leather, designed so that only a minimum amount of thread or other material is visible. The articles in each set will be legibly numbered with a different number and must be approved by the judge." In the early days of obedience, handlers used all types of articles, including gloves and baby shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Tessa, you were right about UKC obedience. From the UKC regs:(XXIII-C) "Scent articles. Exhibitors needing scent articles must provide five identical scent articles made of metal and numbered for identification. Scent articles are normally shaped like dumbbells but other shapes are acceptable." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tessa_s212 Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 I thought I was about UKC, but wasn't sure about AKC. I don't compete in much AKC, especially AKC agility. I prefer UKC and the people seem much nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollieKat Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Thanks everyone. I think I get it now that its the same scent exercise as we do here only we use scent cloths. I'll have to purchase a set of those dumbbells at some point in the future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 They come in various sizes and need to fit your dogs mouth. There's usually a measuring guide in the catalog; I haven't used mine (or done obedience in years), but I still let my puppies play with metal spoons just so they get used to the feel of metal in their mouths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollieKat Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Barb thanks for the tip about the spoons. I never would have thought about that. AKC is so different to what we do in the UK, so any information gathered is very much appreciated as I have a lot to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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