You will begin this exercise in the area marked where you began heeling. You will look at the judge for permission to begin the exercise.
The term “development” means the time from the first step you take until a second part of the exercise is performed. For instance, in Sit Out of Motion development would be heeling before the command Sit is given. This term will be used in your evaluation.
Once the judge gives the green light, the Handler heels 10-15 paces forward and then has 2 options:
- Pause for 3 seconds and give the verbal only command to “sit.”
- Without a pause, change in speed or any body movement gives verbal only command to Sit.
After this, the Handler continues walking 15 paces. At the end of 15 paces, the Handler turns around and faces the dog. You must wait for the judge’s permission to return to the dog. You will return to the Basic Position.
The dog should be focused on you while you are walking away and when you return.
Loss of Points:
- Heeling:
- If the dog loses focus on the Handler and drops his head or looks around.
- If the dog crowds – heels so tight to the leg that it impedes the Handler’s movement.
- Crabbing – the rear of the dog sticks out. The dog walks not parallel to the Handler but at an angle.
- Forging – the dog’s shoulders are in front of the Handler’s knee.
- Lagging – the dog’s shoulders are behind the Handler’s knee.
- If the dog takes many steps before sitting.
- Stands or downs instead of sitting.
- Comes to a stop but is very slow to sit.
- Appears restless and is looking around.
- Hovers (the rear is not fully on the ground). The dog looks like he is in mid-launch.
- The dog moves as you approach.
- If the dog Stands or Down – the exercise drops to “insufficient” category (-5 points in IGP1&2, -2.5 points in IGP3).
