IRON DOG Harrisonburg 2015 Competition Rules
In order to participate in the VPCA “Iron Dog” competition, all contestants must be CURRENTLY CERTIFIED as a K9 Team AND must be one of the following:
It is not necessary to be a VPCA Member or to be certified through the VPCA to compete. Each contestant will be assigned a number, which they will be identified by throughout the course. Contestants should wear their number after checking in, to help identify them as a contestant and to help ensure they begin the course at their appointed time.
Required Equipment
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Station Penalties
Building Scent Search: 3 minute penalty will be assessed for not locating the hide. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed for bypassing and not attempting the station.
Building Search: Dual Purpose only. A 30 second penalty will be given if no K9 announcements are given prior to deploying K9 into the building. A 3 minute penalty will be given if the K9 fails to locate and apprehend the decoy hiding within the building. An 8 minute penalty will be assessed if the team does not attempt the station.
Locker Scent Search: Single Purpose only. A 3 minute penalty will be assessed for not locating the hide. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed for not attempting the station and bypassing the event.
Muzzle Event: Handler will have 1 minute in the starting box to put the muzzle on the K9. If the handler cannot properly place the muzzle on the K9 within 1 minute the Team will be commanded to bypass the entire muzzle event and a 4 minute penalty will be assessed to the team. If K9 or handler fails to complete any of the 4 parts of the muzzle event a 1 minute penalty will be assessed for each portion not completed. If the team does not attempt the event and bypasses the event an 8 minute penalty will be assessed to the team. Any throwing or dropping of K9’s in an uncontrolled manner over obstacles will result in the team being disqualified from the event and taking the 8 minute penalty.
Apprehension: Dual Purpose only. A 30 second penalty will be assessed if the handler fails to give K9 announcements prior to deploying the K9. A 3 minute penalty will be assessed for the K9 failing to engage/apprehend the decoy. An 8 minute penalty will be assessed for a team failing to attempt the station and bypass the event.
Firearms Event: 30 second penalty will be assessed for each miss on each target. A 1 minute penalty will be assessed for the shooting of any innocent targets. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed for any team failing to attempt and bypassing the event.
Vehicle Scent Search: A 3 minute penalty will be assessed for not locating the hide. An 8 minute penalty will be assessed for not attempting the station and bypassing the event.
Scent Wall: Single Purpose Only. A 2 minute penalty will be assessed for failing to locate each of the hides or calling the wrong location for each hide. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed to the team for not attempting the station and bypassing the event.
Agility Course: Failure to complete or not attempt any of the obstacles will result in a 1 minute penalty being assessed for each obstacle not completed or not attempted. A 10 minute penalty will be assessed for not attempting the event and bypassing the station.
General Violations: Rewards, balls, tugs, towels, etc., are permitted to be carried by the handler during the course. However any equipment dropped by the handler and left behind on the course will result in a 1 minute penalty being assessed for each piece of equipment left on the course.
In the event that a competitor is overtaken or lapped by another competitor the competitor who has been overtaken does not have priority at the next event. If you have been lapped and come upon the event station that is being completed by the competitor who lapped you, you must wait until they complete the event station and then you will be allowed to begin the event station.
IF YOUR K9 BITES ANYONE ON THE COURSE OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIED DECOYS YOUR TEAM WILL BE INSTANTLY DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED
In order to participate in the VPCA “Iron Dog” competition, all contestants must be CURRENTLY CERTIFIED as a K9 Team AND must be one of the following:
- Sworn or retired law enforcement officer
- Active-duty or reserve military
- Other individuals approved by the “Iron Dog” Committee
It is not necessary to be a VPCA Member or to be certified through the VPCA to compete. Each contestant will be assigned a number, which they will be identified by throughout the course. Contestants should wear their number after checking in, to help identify them as a contestant and to help ensure they begin the course at their appointed time.
Required Equipment
- E-Collars and Pinch Collars are permitted
- Must wear DUTY BOOTS
- Duty belt is not required
- Must have a PATROL MUZZLE ( Groomer’s muzzles NOT allowed)
- Must have a lead
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- Wearing of tennis shoes or running shoes
- Lack of proper control over K9
- Throwing K9 over any of the lift stations
- K9 biting anyone but the decoys
- -No firearms or weapons allowed on the course at ANY time. The “Iron Dog” staff will provide a non-lethal firearm for the firearm station. This shall be the ONLY exception!
Station Penalties
Building Scent Search: 3 minute penalty will be assessed for not locating the hide. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed for bypassing and not attempting the station.
Building Search: Dual Purpose only. A 30 second penalty will be given if no K9 announcements are given prior to deploying K9 into the building. A 3 minute penalty will be given if the K9 fails to locate and apprehend the decoy hiding within the building. An 8 minute penalty will be assessed if the team does not attempt the station.
Locker Scent Search: Single Purpose only. A 3 minute penalty will be assessed for not locating the hide. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed for not attempting the station and bypassing the event.
Muzzle Event: Handler will have 1 minute in the starting box to put the muzzle on the K9. If the handler cannot properly place the muzzle on the K9 within 1 minute the Team will be commanded to bypass the entire muzzle event and a 4 minute penalty will be assessed to the team. If K9 or handler fails to complete any of the 4 parts of the muzzle event a 1 minute penalty will be assessed for each portion not completed. If the team does not attempt the event and bypasses the event an 8 minute penalty will be assessed to the team. Any throwing or dropping of K9’s in an uncontrolled manner over obstacles will result in the team being disqualified from the event and taking the 8 minute penalty.
Apprehension: Dual Purpose only. A 30 second penalty will be assessed if the handler fails to give K9 announcements prior to deploying the K9. A 3 minute penalty will be assessed for the K9 failing to engage/apprehend the decoy. An 8 minute penalty will be assessed for a team failing to attempt the station and bypass the event.
Firearms Event: 30 second penalty will be assessed for each miss on each target. A 1 minute penalty will be assessed for the shooting of any innocent targets. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed for any team failing to attempt and bypassing the event.
Vehicle Scent Search: A 3 minute penalty will be assessed for not locating the hide. An 8 minute penalty will be assessed for not attempting the station and bypassing the event.
Scent Wall: Single Purpose Only. A 2 minute penalty will be assessed for failing to locate each of the hides or calling the wrong location for each hide. A 6 minute penalty will be assessed to the team for not attempting the station and bypassing the event.
Agility Course: Failure to complete or not attempt any of the obstacles will result in a 1 minute penalty being assessed for each obstacle not completed or not attempted. A 10 minute penalty will be assessed for not attempting the event and bypassing the station.
General Violations: Rewards, balls, tugs, towels, etc., are permitted to be carried by the handler during the course. However any equipment dropped by the handler and left behind on the course will result in a 1 minute penalty being assessed for each piece of equipment left on the course.
In the event that a competitor is overtaken or lapped by another competitor the competitor who has been overtaken does not have priority at the next event. If you have been lapped and come upon the event station that is being completed by the competitor who lapped you, you must wait until they complete the event station and then you will be allowed to begin the event station.
IF YOUR K9 BITES ANYONE ON THE COURSE OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIED DECOYS YOUR TEAM WILL BE INSTANTLY DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED