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The Master Earthdog tunnel has 2 quarry ends and a false
exit. The entrances are not readily visible and are blocked with a
removable obstruction. In addition there are 3 obstacles in the tunnel. |
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There is an unscented false den is located midway along the
approach to the main tunnel entrance. |
Obstacles
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An 18 inch section of the tunnel which constricts to a 6 inch
passage horizontally |
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A 6 inch diameter section of
PVC pipe suspended crossways in the tunnel with 9 inches on each side of
the pipe's centerline |
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A vertical constriction inside the roof
of the tunnel that lowers the height of the liner to 7 inches |
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| Dogs are worked
two at a time in randomly selected braces. Dogs, Handlers and Judge
proceed in the direction of the scent line from a release point 100 to
300 yards from the real den entrance, which is blocked and has a steward
positioned nearby to deal with overly exuberant dogs. Dogs must reach
the real entrance before the Judge. Dogs should investigate the false
but dogs barking at the false den cannot qualify.
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| Dogs must clearly indicate the real den
entrance and its intention to enter an active den to qualify. Here
are 2 dogs clearly yet politely indicating the entrance to the den area. |
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The first dog to indicate the real den
entrance will be the first one allowed to work. The tunnel entrances
are unblocked and the second dog is staked approximately 10 feet from
the entrance on a twist-in-the-ground stake with a two foot chain in
preparation for honouring. The honouring dog should show interest but
cannot be barking excessively and out of control so that the working dog
cannot be heard. |
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| The first dog is released and must then
reach the quarry within 90 seconds and work the quarry for 30 seconds
after which time the quarry are relocated to a second location.. The
working dog must now relocate the quarry in the den within 2 minutes.
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| If the dog
leaves the den, the Handler may give an additional command. Once the dog
relocates the quarry, it must work continuously for 60 seconds. While
the dog is working the quarry, the judge will simulate digging sounds by
lightly striking the top of the area with a piece of wood for 30
seconds. The dog should ignore this and continue working. The dog must
then be removed from the working area within 15 seconds. Then it is
placed in the honouring position while the second dog is tested in the
same manner. |
