General RULES
RULES
The Intention of NGCSA: Building a New Era for Dog Sports. To give competitor teams a fun way to compete for performance titles as a Bonded Team while allowing your dog to use a natural resource.
Requirements of Dogs:
• Dogs must be 6 (six) months of age or older to take part in any trial.
• Dogs must appear to be healthy on the event day and should be current on all vaccinations required by law. Any questions about medical or health conditions should be cleared up by your veterinarian to take part.
• Bitches in season are eligible to compete in trials. They will run at the end of the run order and will have to wear some form of diaper or panties. Participants should contact the event host at least 72 hours (about 3 days) prior to the event if they predict that their dog may be in season at the event.
• Disabled dogs are allowed and encouraged to compete if they do not show signs of pain or discomfort. • Dogs with stitches or open wounds, whether covered or otherwise, are ineligible to compete. Dogs that are lame or in pain or discomfort are ineligible to compete.
Dogs must be registered with NGCSA. Each dog will receive a member number to be entered on each entry form
Only dogs entered in a trial are allowed on trial grounds.
⦁Reactive dogs must wear a red bandana and be kept in your vehicle until your run. They must always be kept under control. Failure to do so will result in dismissal of trial without refund. They should only be out of the vehicle for potty breaks, or it is their turn to run.
⦁Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations including rabies vaccine. Dog Information:
⦁Dog's name
⦁Dog's age
⦁Dog's birthdate as close as known
⦁Dog's breed (In the event the dog is of mixed breed, then the dog will be listed as prominent breed/mix or just mix should be entered)
• Handlers must be current members of NGCSA to take part in a trial event. All dogs must be registered under the handler's membership with NGCSA.
• All members must adhere to the rules and regulations.
• Membership may be suspended or terminated for violation of any rules set forth by NGCSA.
• All members must sign a liability waiver for each event they are attending prior to running in any trial. Failure to do so results in a non-qualifying (NQ) score and grounds for dismissal without refund.
• All Handlers must be 18 years of age.
• Every team must enter and exit the same regardless of physical status. No alternative routes should be made.
• Each member must be current on the year membership to attend any trial
• Each member must be in good physical and mental health.
• A maximum of two (2) member names may be listed for one (1) membership, however a charge of $20 will be necessary to add names to a current membership.
• Member’s name will be listed as the handler on any trial entry forms.
• Membership fees are due per calendar year and should always be kept up to date prior to any run/trial. • In the event membership dues are late or past due, members are prohibited from entering any trial.
Member's Information:
• Name
• Address
• Birthdate
• Phone Number
• Email Requirements of Spectators:
• Spectators are encouraged but may be excluded per judge's discretion depending on size of the search area or distraction to the run area.
• Spectators must follow all the rules while on the grounds of an event the same as each eligible member attending.
• All Spectators must have a signed liability waiver per day per event.
• All cell phones should be left in vehicle and not brought into search area by participate.
Requirements of Volunteers: Volunteers:
• All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age on the day of work.
• All volunteers must be in good physical and mental health.
• All volunteers must sign a liability waiver, if under the legal age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign for them prior to entry of premises.
• All volunteers should be compensated with complimentary brunch/lunch.
• All volunteers should be labeled in the case of a patron needs assistance. (tag or equivalent)
Required Sportsmanlike Conduct:
• All persons are to treat others with respect, including but not limited to judges,
Hosts, dogs, staff, volunteers, spectators, and competitors, etc.
• Any person with unsportsmanlike conduct shall be asked to leave the premises. Reasons for dismissal from event:
• Aggressive dog behavior that results in a bite to another dog or person.
• Not following the rules or regulations set forth.
• Destruction of property of said site or location.
• Abuse towards any person or dog located at the site or location.
• Entering the ring prior to your run order or watching a team prior to your run order
• Excessive profanity
Awards & Ribbons:
All Ribbons must display NGCSA logo. Permission is granted if a premium is accepted.
⦁Qualifying Ribbons should be Peacock in color, they should measure 2" x 8"
⦁First place: should be NEON PINK in color, they should measure 2" x 8"
⦁Second place: should be Lilac in color, they should measure 2" x 8"
⦁Third place: should be LIGHT BLUE in color, they should measure 2" x 8"
⦁Last place: in total trial should be Black in color, they should measure 2" x 8" "I came to this trial and all I got was this lousy Ribbon"
Rosette Title Ribbons:
Should be Peacock & Neon Pink center in color
Level 1 should measure 9-10"
Level 2 should measure 10-12"
Level 3 should measure 12-14"
Level 4 should measure 14-16"
Level 5 should measure 16-18"
Specialty Ribbons:
Should be Neon Pink & Peacock center in color. Each element ribbon must be a Rosette. They must specify the element achieved (ex. containers, exterior, interior, vehicles & multi.) They should have one (1) streamer off rosette. Each element ribbon should measure 9-10". Completed Specialty Titles Should be Neon Pink & Peacock center in color. Must be a rosette. They must say Specialty Level (1-5). They should have 3 streamers.
All Elements must be completed to earn these ribbons
Level 1 should measure 9-10"
Level 2 should measure 10 -12"
Level 3 should measure 12-14"
Level 4 should measure 14-16"
Level 5 should measure 16-18"
The Premium List:
The premium should be posted at least 2 months prior to the event after the event is approved. Premium should show the following:
• Location details
• Date & Time
• Nearest veterinarian clinic or emergency
• Host contact information
• Trial secretary information
• Opening date & closing date
• Elements offered
• Cost per run
• Total entries allowed
• Name of Judge
• Move up information
• Trial Entry information
• Entry form • Entry method
• Cancelation policy
Submission of trial reports:
All submission reports should be turned in within 72 hours (about 3 days) of the trial end. All reports should include the following:
• Qualifying or non-qualifying run
• Time of run
• How many hides were found or missed
• Name of Handler • Name of Dog
• Membership number
• Dog member number
• Number of entries
• Overall success rate
• Placement received Trial Elements for Element Specialty Trials: Note: Two hides must not be made to look like one hide.
Any area that has been contaminated should be cleaned and marked prior to the next running team.
EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF NEXT GENERATION DOG SPORTS ASSOCIATION
Handler & Dogs Etiquette & Attire:
Handler
⦁Handlers are to wear closed flat closed toe shoes/sneakers only. No sandals or high heels are permitted in search areas. There may be uneven ground, and such footwear can pose a safety risk.
⦁No perfume or scent articles are permitted to be worn or sprayed on trial grounds. No scent/scented articles are permitted on the site or grounds of the trial.
⦁Dress according to the weather in comfortable clothing. No training attire is permitted except for vests, treat pouches, or any item deemed necessary for the search.
⦁Go-Pros are permitted to be worn in the search area; however, they must be ready to go prior to entering the waiting area for your search.
⦁Cell phones are not permitted on the handler during a search (they must be left in vehicle).
Dogs
⦁Collars should be a flat collar or martingale only. Prongs and head halties are allowed on site but must be removed in entirety from the dog in the search area. Any dangling item must be removed prior to entering the search area.
⦁Harnesses may be worn in search areas; they may not be attached to front clip.
⦁ Leashes can be of any length and material during searches. On ground and in potty areas, dogs must be kept under control and on a 6' for less length of leash. Flex leashes are not allowed on site or in search areas
⦁Clothing may be worn if necessary and appropriate, however, they must be considered safe for the search area. In the event they pose a risk, the items may be asked to be removed by any staff/volunteer of the event. All items must be unscented.
⦁Dogs cannot wear any camera accessory in the search area.
⦁Dogs cannot have any electronic collars, stimulators, or muzzles on premises of the trial grounds. GPS trackers are permitted.
⦁Belly bands and panties are permitted; however, they do not exclude the dog from a nonqualifying score for the attempt of eliminating during the search.
⦁Collars must not have anything hanging from them. They must be a flat collar or martingale collar only.
⦁Prong collars are not allowed and will be a Non-Qualifying (NQ) score for any element which one is used.
Photography:
⦁video and pictures are allowed but cannot be posted to any social network until trial is concluded. ⦁Spectators are allowed to video and take photos; however, they must not be posted to any social media accounts until the end of the day of each event
⦁Video must not distract the team during their run.
⦁Go-Pros or equivalent are allowed but must be ready prior to entering search area
⦁No cameras are allowed to be attached to dogs
Discrepancies:
• All discrepancies are to be addressed before the trial ends. Once the trial ends, the results stand.
• In the event that a resolution was not reached, please contact NGCSA as soon as possible with formal complaints. Briefing:
⦁A briefing should be held before each level. Time used to disclose as well as number of hides if the level calls for such.
⦁The briefing should give the information for the number of hides, time allotted, designated areas, potty area for dogs, bathroom area for humans, and any other information that is deemed necessary to trial. ⦁Debriefing shall be posted once available from score room
⦁Dogs must be contained during briefing
Judging:
⦁Must be fair for all participates.
⦁Hides must be placed at least 15 minutes prior to search start time
⦁Dog in white should be run prior to start time to ensure hide placement is appropriate for the level. ⦁Dog in white must have qualified in the level they are being used for. Waivers for Liability:
Waivers:
⦁Waivers must be signed prior to attending trial, if host doesn't have waivers signed, they are taking full responsibility in the event of any and all incidents including but not limited to injury or death. Waiver will be attached in forms.
Staging:
⦁Staging area for dogs must be at least 10' away from another dog.
⦁Dogs must be walked to potty area on a 10' leash or less.
EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF NEXT GENERATION DOG SPORTS ASSOCIATION