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Advanced

All obedience will be performed off leash. The distractions will be much more difficult than in intermediate or advanced. Points will be lost by both dog and handler, based on how they attempt to do some exercises. IMPORTANT.... Advanced dogs must be able to perform down on recall. Advanced dogs must show willing behavior for all exercises. Major points will be lost for dogs failing to do any part of any exercise. Advanced dogs must pass obedience to go onto protection phase. Advanced dogs will always have decoys as part of the distraction, and also will be exposed to gun fire both as an obedience exercise, and as a protection exercise. It is imperative, in this case, that all dogs in advanced be very well trained in obedience. If an entrant loses control of their dog during the obedience, he or she may declare their dog as intermediate, and continue to trial as an intermediate.

Advanced Protection

Advanced Protection will always include a call off. The scenario built around the call off will vary, and may include, but is not limited to, the scenarios described below. Advanced Protection will consist of 5 exercises, one of which will be a call off. It will not be decided until the day of the trial where the call off will occur. The advanced protection will not necessarily stay on the training field, but may be conducted in a style known as "Campagne", where the contestants, judges and spectators move along with the layout of the trial.

Scenarios will be announced by their name. Descriptions are available below. Not all of these scenarios will be utilized on any given trial day. The scenarios will be chosen by the judges, and will be set up according to ease of transition based on the field.

"Help, I've been shot!"

You and your dog are walking outdoors. Suddenly, a decoy, dressed in a full body suit, appears, yells, and shoots a hand gun. You are to behave as if you have been shot, dropping to the ground, or going for cover. The dog should attack the decoy immediately. A person, perhaps a policeman, comes to your aid, standing nearby, wearing a bite suit. You must recall your dog from the decoy, who will be giving up. You must stay in your place of concealment, in a prone position. The dog must return to you quickly, and remain under control, not biting the person standing nearby. You will then get control of your dog, putting his leash on. You will then instruct the bystander in how to take control of your dog, by taking the leash, or by some other way. You are injured, and may not assist in the removal of your dog in a physical way. The exercise is finished when the policeman can take the leash, and walk a short distance.

The wrong place, wrong time.

You are walking your dog in a nice grassy area. A belligerent home owner comes out, and yells at you to get off the grass. As they are ordering you off the property, their sprinkler system comes on, watering the lawn that you are now occupying. Your slowness to remove yourself and your dog from the lawn has angered the bad guy/homeowner, and he attacks you, through the sprinklers. Your dog must be quick to defend you, despite the occasional wetness.

Glasses, glasses, who's got my glasses?

A cranky old decoy, carrying a cane, is obviously blind without his glasses. He approaches you, waving his cane, walking as if he is very old, and very angry that you can't help him. He passes you, and starts to flail at the surrounding trees and bushes with his cane, looking for his lost glasses, and saying unpleasant things about you. A lurking decoy, taking advantage of your distraction, quietly steps out from behind a barrier, points a gun at you, and says softly, "I will kill you if you don't give me your wallet". The old decoy is oblivious to this interaction, he is still searching loudly for his glasses. You must send your dog on the gun toting decoy.

Object guard

You are traveling with your dog. As you wait for the airport shuttle, you sit down, with your bag nearby. You may have your own bag for this exercise, or one will be provided by the hosting club. The bag must be a reasonable carry-on size, such as a brief case, duffle bag, or large purse. You are not allowed to fasten the bag to your dog, or to yourself. You are not allowed to sit on the bag, or to instruct your dog to sit or down on the bag. The bag must be placed in a normal position for such a situation. Many people are passing you, some in bite suits, some not. You are to ignore all of the passersby. It is impossible to tell which one is about to steal your bag. The thief will quietly try to take your bag, and make off with it. Perfect points would be obtained if the dog notices the decoy stealing the bag, and warns with barking, defending the item without biting. A small deduction will be made if the dog bites without warning first. Large deductions will be taken if the dog fails to notice the theft, and is instructed to bite. A zero will be given if the dog bites the wrong person.

Serial Killer!

You and your dog are sitting in a vehicle. A decoy approaches, shows you a badge, and orders you out of the vehicle. You comply, thinking that he is a real policeman. He will "pat you down", as you are standing against the car in the typical position of a suspect. The dog must not attack or leave the car as you are being "patted" down. The Policeman instructs you that you are under arrest. As he is taking you away from the car, he is attempting to handcuff you, even though you are not resisting. You realize that he is really a serial killer, and wants to make you his next victim. As he is taking you away, you call for your dog to attack. The dog will only see the back of the decoy, and must immediately bite to defend on command.

Oh No! He's got my.....

You and your best friend, wife, husband, etc. (who will be played by a large stuffed dummy are enjoying a nice day in the park. Your friend/stuffed dummy, is sitting on a chair, or park bench, while you play with your dog. A decoy comes from behind your friend, and snatches them, yelling at you to stay away. The dog must go to bite the decoy, being careful to not bite your best friend. The decoy may deliberately place your best friend between him and the dog.

Outdoor cafe`

You and your dog come to a pleasant area, with a table and chairs.  You place your dog on a down, or sit, and you also sit at one of the tables. Other people are sitting and moving about the area. Unfortunately, one of your old enemies is also here. He or she walks up to the table, tells you what he/she thinks of you and angrily stomps off. The dog must not bite, even though the person is obviously quite angry. You know that they are not going to harm you even if they throw a glass of water in your face. However, their new friend approaches from the rear, taps you on the shoulder and when you turn, will appear to attempt to strike you. No physical strike will be landed. The dog should quickly come to your aid even though are still seated.

Gangland

You have obviously taken a wrong turn somewhere. A group of very obnoxious young people start to follow you, shouting insults, and becoming more threatening. You decide that you have to make a stand, but first must warn them the the dog bites. One or two or possibly three of the gang will attempt to attack you, trying to avoid being bitten by your dog. The other gang members will still yell and torment you during this. When one of the gang is bitten, all will flee. The dog must stay with you when the gang flees.

Friend or Foe

A decoy approaches you as you are walking your dog. He asks questions, you must engage in a conversation with him. You both walk along, with your dog obviously in no command or escort position. For full points, the dog should appear to be relaxed, sniffing the ground, exploring the environment. After a brief time, the decoy pleasantly informs you that he has a gun inside his pants pocket and he will shoot you if you don't do as he says. He will not change his demeanor, nor will he raise his voice. You must immediately command your dog to attack, and must take defensive or evasive motions yourself. You may touch the decoy, or you may flee, but at all times you must behave as if you believe that he is armed and will shoot you at the first opportunity. Points will be lost by handles who stand passively by, or who do not take cover, or attempt to control the decoy. Which behavior you d will not be penalized, only failure to behave in a natural manner will. Based on your background, your physical ability and your mental state, you will decide which behavior you would adopt in this situation.

Air conditioning

You and your dog are in a vehicle. Your bag is on the passenger seat with the passenger window rolled down. You are stuck in traffic and your windows are down because your air conditioning is broken. Other people are moving about on the side of the road. One decoy comes from behind, spots your bag on the seat, reaches through the window to snatch the bag. Full points will be given if the dog warns the decoy, and/or bites when the arm is INSIDE the vehicle. A deduction will be made if the bite occurs outside the vehicle. A further deduction will be made if the handler must open the door to allow his/her dog to bite the now fleeing de3coy.

All "outs" will be performed on the judges signal. At no time will a decoy absolutely freeze, but will instead behave as if he is really bitten, perhaps crying out in pain or even falling. In some cases, the decoy will continue to move after the out, if it suits the scenario.