Action Dog Association  

Official Rules and Judging Guidelines  

Judges Exam Per request via email   

The nose work sport for all dog owners

Po Box 416, Princeton, MN 55371, actiondoginfo@gmail.com, 612.963.2364

Action Dog is the newes, hottest sports in the USA that will engage dogs and owners everywhere throughout North America. With award-winning dog trainers nationwide as our Ambassadors, we have one of the most professional and seasoned networks helping establish Action Dog as the emerging experience in the Owner & Dog Event Participation world. What is the Action Dog Sport? Owner, and or Trainers train their dogs to find a list of lost items (Key, Remote, Glasses, Wallet, and Cellphone). The sport it a timed event where the dog and handler team must find the required item.

All breeds of dog that are willing to eat or use their nose to smell around can make their family a good Action Dog. The household dogs are willing to help their owner find their lost items when they are trained to do so.  

Some of the major items people lose weekly- Car Keys, Cell Phone, Tv Remote, Wallet, Glasses or Sunglasses

Most owner do not understand or know that so many breeds from Chihuahua to Wolfhound can be taught to be a Action Dog. Dogs find things via instinct. Owners can train them to isolate and find items as needed. Training your dog to become a Action Dog work is great for the dog and helpful for the household. With a trained Action Dog you will be able to have your dog find your lost items.

“Why Teach Action Dog Nose Work”

1. Great exercise and personal interaction with owner and their dogs
    
2. Fun way to show off to friends and family
    
3. A trained Action Dog can be extremely helpful in the event one is late for work due to lost keys
    
4. Great upcoming sport in which a Action Dog and owner can participate anywhere
    
5. Owners do not need a special location, season, License, or expensive equipment
    
6. Great family activity that will keep a dog active while giving it a useful/ helpful job
    
7. Action dog training helps your dog with basic obedience.  
    
8. An Action Dog can be worked year around and most anywhere. If you have a sporting/working/hound/ terrier, and don’t want to hunt. Here is a solution.  

This hand book of training instruction should help all who would like a successful Action Dog

Stage One

Step one to training your dog as a Action Dog  

Training can start at any time, a dog must be 6 mo. or older to compete.

Good find Cooper said to Magnum a 2 year old Chocolate Labrador as he sits locating the car keys. What is important to know about Magnum finding the keys is not by chance. It’s because of the scent imprinting training. A training process of introducing the dog to react when the scent is found. How difficult is it to teach a dog to find a few select items?  

By using the training outlined in this guide training your Action Dog is made simple. Most all breeds of hunting dogs, and many other breeds can be taught to become efficient Action Dogs. Cooper believes that dogs enjoy finding things whether it be for you, or just food for its self. As a full time Professional Dog Trainer of over 30 years with Big D’s Dog Training in Minnesota we have found in the dog world there are less people hunting, but they need to find things for their dogs to do. Action Dog  

Affords them the opportunity to use their dog’s natural skills. The steps to introduce your dog to Action Dog Items for competition is the same as for house hold use. Let’s begin. Put the item on the seat of a chair, and walk your dog by the item. When your dog turns its head to smell command to sit. When the Action Dog Sits at the item location give lots of praise and a treat is your dog’s reward for a found item. It is also important how you give your treats - (Try and put treats in the palm of your hand to ease your treat timing). You will want to do scent imprinting process 20 to 30 time before believing your dog is putting the two actions together. If your dog is weak at searching or does not show interest start working with a piece of hot dog in a open area on the floor. Command your dog to find an item and when it walk over to it. When your dog smells and eats it give lots of praise. Do this 10 to 15 times you are scent imprinting. If your dog is not eager to find items. Then put the treat in the on the floor let your dog find it. After the dog is willing to go get a treat put the treat under a box with a small hole. The hole should not be big enough for a dog to put its nose in the hole to get the treat out. Turn the box over and let the dog have the treat. Do this 10 to 15 times. Next use a box without a hole. Now take the box put in the same spot on the floor, put your competition scent under the box. When your dog goes over, smells the box, command the dog to sit and give it the treat. This is scent imprinting! The first scent to start with is the car key scent. It is important to get away from using the same box because dogs commonly start sitting when they see or come upon the box.   

The important training command it sit. This will be used throughout our Action Dog training and competition

When training a dog to be a Action Dog the trainer can use praise and treats as the reward for good performance. Some teach lay down or sit as their response action when the dog makes a find. Sometime this depends on how assertive a dog becomes during the find. Some dogs need a higher level of action command.

              Above working your dog to a find

Hide items in different places to teach the dog to keep looking until successful.

Take your first scented item, walk dog up to it, when your dog smells and puts its nose towards item, command to sit and give reward. Repeat this introduction until the dog goes to the sit as soon as it smell the item. You can use scent tool or training items. Once your dog finds the item in multiple locations now add new scents and new locations. In the beginning you may place the scent tool, or your training items, on a chair or couch, make sure to work from different directions letting dog smell it and command the sit once they do. It is important to vary the visibility of your items (some times put in plan view other times hide item or scent tools in a box, under clothing, or magazines.) When a Action Dog make a find remember the praise, petting and the treat as reward during training. In competition treat can only be give outside the test area.

When you train it is also important to reduce your human scent on your items. Use vinyl, plastic, or latex gloves to place your items. This will help your dog look for the item and not just for you, or things you have touched. Sample Items wallet, and phone.  

To increase item odor by applying test scent to a small area on your test item or use your scent tool. This added scent help your Action Dog pin point only the items you want them to look for. This added scent help you with the scent imprinting process. In the above photo you have your search tools. Action Dog has develop 5 unique scent for test and owner personal use for the personal items.  

Use your gloves when placing your items for training.

Wear gloves of some type when you are planting your items. This will help to scent imprint your dog without them always looking for you. This will also prepare you for Action Dog competitions.  Gloves are not mandatory, but are  a great assistant during training.

Stage Two

At this stage of the training it is recommended to setup several chairs and a table or two. You can do this in your own living room. You can train anywhere! Place items out and or Search tools. Work the whole area causing your dog to have to walk area’s which do not have any scent on them while having to find the scented items.  

Map out where you place your training items. This will help you avoid walking past a item during your training. It also will add you to understand your placement during your Action Dog trial. Some times when a person is working their dog they lose track of their items. If a item is not remembered the handler can walk by the item accidentally which can have the effect of teaching the dog a scent is not important to find. The more finding success your dog has the more effective the training. Useful application of applying ADA scent to your home Items (keys, Remote, Phone, Glasses, and Wallet will allow your dog to help you find them the next time you misplace them. The true fun part about your Action Dog training is that you can set up training scenarios almost anywhere and conduct them at any time.  

The time you spend teaching your dog is a new way just to have fun. While keeping them ready to find your lost item. In time your will dog will learn the difference between each item. One helpful tip to achieve this during your training is by making your search word the item you are looking for. Example when you are imprinting the Keys scent say keys as you are bring the dog up to the item say find keys. When the dogs sits at the keys you are building the Association between Keys, Key scent, Sit, and Treat.  

Action Dog Events

The general rules need to be know by handler. First the dog and handler must be registered with the American Action Dog Association. Both dog’s and handler receive titles. A Action Dog must successfully receive 3 passing scores at each level to progress to the next class. Owner and handlers may compete at a class level for high score until they have entered to move up at which point they cannot return to the lower class.

What is a detection: A detection is when a dog smell at a item, or turns head toward a item as to smell it, the identification is the sit at a location where your item is located.

When at a Action Dog competition they must show some type of response. Sitting and looking at the item is the best response. Some dog will sit and look to the owner for their reinforcement.  

Training Equipment (Glasses, Remote, Wallet, Keys, and Phone)

Event Equipment required: 2 Chairs, 1 Couch, 1 Table, 1 Coat rack, stack  

of book or Magazine, as a minimum. Phone Tool, Key Tool, Glasses Tool, Remote Tool, and Wallet Tool

The Action Dog must locate it required number of items within 5 minutes. A professional count down timer must be used during testing event.

This handlers score would be 21:30 in basic class with two item found.

How a Action Dog Team is scored?

The score is made up the items found and the time remaining on the clock. Each item is worth 10 points. The clock points start at 5:00 and count down to 00. Team must stay in controlled area.

1. The time remaining on the clock is added to score. The clock starts with 5 minutes, clock must not read 0:00. Must read .01 or greater to be a qualifying time.
    
2. The Action Dog Team must find its required number of item depending on Action Dog level.
    
3. Basic Level - the team must find 2 item (Keys, and Remote), with each item worth 10 points. A minimum passing score is 20:01 or greater. Handler is allowed to point in general direction of item area to have the dog search. But a touch or direct point at a Item is counted as a missed item. Handler may reinforce dog with the sit command during search. The Basic Level may use treats ONLY
    
4. Novice - the team must find 3 items (Keys, Remote, and Glasses), with each item worth 10 point. A minimum passing score 30:01. Handler is allowed to walk by, or come back and pass an item for a response, but if the handler point at or touches item or placement the item will be considered a missed item. Handler my reinforce dog with sit command during search.
    
5. Advanced - the team must find 4 items (Keys, Remote, Glasses, and Phone) with each item worth 10 points. A minimum passing score 40:01. Handler may verbally direct the dog to “search”, any other direction will be deducted as a missed Item.  
    
6. Advance 1 - the team must find 5 items (Keys, Remote, Glasses, Phone, Wallet), with each item worth 10 points. A minimum passing score 50:01. Handler may verbal direct the dog to “search”, any touching of structures will be deducted as a missed item
    
7. Excellent - the team must find 5 items via selected order given via judge’s discretion. Each item is worth 10 points. A minimum passing score 50:01. Handler may verbally tell the dog to search, any other direction will be deducted as a missed item. The dog must just walk the course.
    
8. Excellent 1 -the team must find 5 item via selected order given, Handler may not walk course with dog. Each item is worth 10 points. A minimum passing score 50:01. Handler must remain at gate and verbally direct the dog to search for item by name. Dog must alert at item in order of request.

At the Advance levels and at National Competitions additional room or search area may be required. Level of difficulty increases at each level of competition. This means. More furniture, clothing, or book will need to be search.

Treats may accompany a find, but in the event of dropped treats if not picked up by handler there will be a .5 deduction.  

Level Title:

ADB Action Dog Basic & AHB Handler Basic Title

ADN Action Dog Novice & AHN Handler Novice Title

ADA Action Dog Advance & AHA Handler Advance Title

ADA1 Action Dog Advance 1 & AHA1 Handler Advance Title

ADE Action Dog Excellent & AHE Handler Basic Excellent Title

ADE1 Action Excellent1 & AHE1 Handler Excellent Title

Bitches in season ARE NOT allow to be shown

No Phones or Camera in the ring during searches

ADA reserves the right to any and all video for ADA use.

Equipment Required Action Dog Association Items

Scent Pack (Phone Scent, Remote Scent, Car Key Scent, Glasses Scent, and Wallet  

Scent)

Items with Scent (Phone, Remote, Car Keys, Glasses, Wallet)

Action Dog 4’ - 6’ Slip lead - A Action Dog Slip or Snap 6’ lead is preferred, but a leather/nylon lead with buckle, or quick snap collar will be excepted. The lead must allow separation for the dog to work.  

All dog will be shown on leash - ONLY Excellent Level dog may be shown off leash. Leash of a Excellent dog may be removed at the gate

What are the Items

The items are 5 common thing people lose each and every day (Glasses/ Sun Glasses, Car Keys, Cell Phone, Tv Remote, and Wallet). The scent for AD are a priority scent to isolate your AD ability to locate your item of choice. Have you ever needed to get to work, but you can’t recall where you put your glasses, or your car keys. After training with your scents just say to your Action Dog find Keys and off they go directing you to where you put them down or dropped them. The search area for competition will be 2 chair, a couch type structure, a table, stack of book or magazines, and a clothing rack with a hanging jacket. Just some of the common places that people place and forget their items.

Action Dog Registration form

ADA Dog#.               ADA Handler#

Handler Full Name:

Dog’s Name Dog Breed

Phone#

Email

Address

City State Zip

AKC# UKC# CKC# IKC#

Vet of Record: phone#

Class of Entry

(B).   (N).   (A).   (A1).   (E).   (E1)

Basic Rules Dog and handler must find their required items, in the allotted time.  

Judges record is final.  

I have read the guide book and understand the detail rules of the sport of Acton  Dog?

Sportsman’s Like Conduct , handler will be kind to dog, and conduct themselves in a respecting manner with each other.  

Hold ADA harmless in the event of negative dog to dog, or human interaction.

__Event Fee $35.  

One time Registration Fee

__Dog Registration Fee $10.00 or  

__Handler Registration Fee $20.00  

Amount Paid ________________   

____________________________.                       _________________________________

Print Name Signature and Date

ADA verification INT__________

American Action Dog Association  

ADA Trial and Event Form.        Non Score      Pass

Event Date

Action Dog #

Handler #

Start time Finish Clock time.      ______________

Circle Competition Class

Action Dog - Basic, Novice, Advance, Advance 1, Excellent, Excellent 1.  

     1.         2.            3 .         4.        5.

Item Location 

ADB - 2 items, 5min     

ADN - 3 items , 5min

ADA - 4 items, 5 min

ADA1 - 5 items, 5 min

ADE - 5 items, 5 min

ADE1 - 5 items, 5 min

                                                                                   Point total ________________

          Time total_________________

Total Score_____________

Judge # _____________

In the event of a non-pass dog may reenter if time is available.

Disqualification: Aggression in ring, touching items,  

The future of Action Dogs has endless opportunities for Handlers, Trainers, and Judges. Big D’s Dog Training can help with seminars. In the future we look to host a national competition for the World of Action Dogs. In a Big D’s seminar we will instruct how to train Action Dog, as well how to conduct and host a event. Groups and individuals may contact Big D’s for testing kits, Scent pack, and Test items with Scents.

For the owner who want new activities for their dog, or competition the ADA will give great opportunity to have Action Dog Fun with their dog. Owner may request a video test. Video request option must have a video pack from ADA, and ADA approval for those who just can't make a ADA event.

Action Dog Training Equipment list:

4’ to 6’ Leash:

Training Scent per Item:  

Testing Items:

General Course Rules:

Handler may not get on hands or knees to direct or point a dog to a. Location of item. After the Basic level the handler may not point at or pull or direct a dog to a item. Dog and handler will be DQ’d if they direct the dog to a item by touching. Handler may command to “search” or “find” and walk past any and all items. No furniture can be moved or touched during the search. If a dog knock down a structure the item will be marked as missed.

Dogs Eligible to compete are any domestic with Action Dog Association. Both altered and intact dogs can compete. Handlers with advance titles may compete with dogs of lesser titles.

Defamation, urination, or equipment damage are grounds for Disqualification.  

Owner or handlers at their expense are responsible for any and all damage and repair.

Assumption of Risk: Any person attending and or entering a Action Dog event in any capacity do so at their own risk and agree to assume responsibility for damage caused by them or their dog. By entering the owners understands agree, and will abide by all Action Dog Association Rules and Regulations.

Cancellation of Event via a ACT of God and the event must be cancelled the host must attempt to make contact to entrants to inform them of the cancellation. Host are not obligated to return any or all of the entry fees collected. Clubs may postpone in case of emergency.

Allowed Equipment

4’ 5’ 6’ Action Dog Slip lead

5’ 6’ General Slip Lead

5’ 6’ General Snap Lead  

Buckle Collar

Keeper Collar Choke Chain

Handler Age - Any handler under the age of 11 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The age limitation is for the safety of individuals.

Dog Aggression will result in disqualification, and dismissal from event area. No dog will be allowed to aggressive at other dogs, handlers, or Judges.

Official Action Dog Association Qualifications:

First and foremost a Acton Dog judge is an ambassador of the sport. Education and fun are the keys to Action Dog Success. To obtain a Action Dog Judging License on must have fulfilled one of two qualifications. The first way to qualify is the mentor system. That is monitor and have 4 mentors’ signatures, then pass the Action Dog Association Judges exam.

The second way to become a Judge a person must have judged or Titled dogs in a performance sport to be automatically eligible to apply and take the approval exam. The exam information come from the ADA training guide information. They must score above 85% on a closed book test to receive judging certification. Test is scored by Action Dog Association.

Qualifying Performance Events:

Agility, Barn Hunt, CGC, Conformation Championship, Earth Dog, Field Trail, Rally Retriever Trail, Obedience, Night Hunts.

The Judges responsibility is to know and in force the Action Dog Association rules. Judges must provide day of pre handler instruction via handouts which provide item locations. Fill out and sign score sheets. The Judges must be able to communicate efficiently to help handler be successful.

Judging Test per online request.