New England Working Dog

 Tracking tests the dog's scenting ability. But it also test the dogs mental soundness, and physical endurance. Once you start showing your dog at trials you or a "track layer" walks across a field dropping several small articles along the way (there a different patterns you can choose from). After a period of time, the dog is directed to follow the track while being followed by its handler on a 10 meters (33 ft) leash. When the dog finds each article, he indicates it, usually by lying down with the article between his front paws. The dog is scored on how intently and carefully it follows the track and indicates the articles. The length, complexity, number of articles, and age of the track varies for each title. Each dog team starts with 100 points. Each mistakes the dog team makes will be deducted from 100 points. You have to have 70 points in order to pass your trial!

The judge has an assistant, called the "helper/decoy". The helper helps to test the dog's courage to protect itself and its handler. Also it test the dogs ability to be controlled while doing so. The helper wears a heavily padded sleeve on one arm, wears a scratch pants as well as a protective jacket. There are 6 "blinds" on the field. How many blinds your dog have to run depends on the title you are entered in. The helper is always in blind # 6, hidden away. The dog is directed to search all the blinds for the helper (search for the helper). The order goes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and then # 6. When the dog finds the helper, it indicates by barking (bark and hold). The dog must guard the helper to prevent them from moving until recalled by the handler. This is followed by a series of exercises - prevention of an attempted escape on the helper, defense against an attack during the guarding phase, back transport, attack on the dog out of back transport, attack on the dog out of motion, defense against an attack during the guarding phase. The handler searches the helper after 2 of the exercises and transports them to the judge. At specified points, the helper either attacks the dog or the handler, or attempts to escape. The dog must stop the attack or the escape by biting the padded sleeve. When the attack or escape stops, the dog is commanded to "out", or release the sleeve. The dog must out or it is dismissed. At all times the dog must show courage to engage the helper and the temperament to obey the handler while in this high state of drive. The dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that shows fear, has complete lack of control, or inappropriate aggression is dismissed. Each dog team starts with 100 points. Each mistakes the dog team makes will be deducted from 100 points. You have to have 70 points in order to pass your trial!