K9 Multi Sport Rules

A booklet containing the Rules and Test Requirements is published and contains the Records of Achievement that are required for each dog. These are available at £3.00 plus 50p p&p from K9Multi Sport, Po Box 13, Chipping Campden, Glos. GL55 6WX

The Organisation is keen to ensure that participating in an Event is an equally positive and enjoyable experience for both dog and trainer. If the Assessor feels that the dog, the trainer or the demonstration does not reflect this they will be graded accordingly. The Assessor will be looking for a comfortable partnership, that shows empathy and understanding. For some dogs this is evident in the way they carry out the exercises, but in some cases the circumstances of the environment will affect the comfort/security level of the dog and this will be taken into consideration.

The Assessor will be seeking to measure the performance of both dog and trainer against the required standard or criteria. The inability of the dog or the trainer to meet those criteria will be considered a lack of sufficient or appropriate training. The Assessor may give feedback as to where the trainer can improve their grade.

The Assessor will be looking for a developing relationship between dog and trainer which requires only minimal communication and support. This will be assessed appropriate to the Level.

Rules

1. The trainer may use rewards (such as: toys, food, clicker, physical contact) at any time between the individual exercises of a test.

2. No rewards may be carried or used during an exercise. Level 1 tests food may be carried in a pouch or pocket only, but not used as a lure.

3. Trainers may use their voice to encourage the dog at any time unless specified.

4. No bitch in season may compete

5. Dogs can compete over 6 months old, with the exception of the Agility Option where dogs must be at least 12 months old.

6. Dogs belonging to the Assessor may not compete at the level he or she is assessing at the same event.

7. The Assessor may approve adaptations of the exercises or venue.

8. The lead may be kept on at the trainer's discretion through all Level 1 exercises but should only be present for safety reasons and not used to train, handle or restrict the dog.

9. Dogs may only wear flat collars with a buckle or clip, or a body harness.

10. The trainer must take every precaution to ensure that their dog does not endanger the health, safety, or welfare of their dog, other dogs or people.

11. The Assessor in conjunction with the Organisers will decide the order of tests. Each trainer will be allowed to complete all exercises of the Core tests at the same time. At Level 1 and 2 the trainer may decide the order of the exercises within the Core test.

12. No physical or verbal discipline is allowed at any time, during, before or after completion of the test. Penalty is Disqualification

13. The Assessor can disqualify a trainer for not entering into the spirit of the aims of the organisation.

14. A record of all disqualifications will be made by the Event Verifier and Assessor and returned to the Organisation. The name of the trainer, their dog and the infringement will be logged. The organisation retain the right to refuse entry to any event on review of the Disqualification.

Assessment Guidelines

All Assessors are approved by the K9 Multi Sport Organisation. Specialist may be asked to assist Assessors for some Levels of the Options.

The Assessor will be looking for a dog that demonstrates an understanding of the exercise, responds promptly to the trainer's cues and works in a happy and confident manner.

The trainer must be familiar with the test requirements and carry them out in their own time. The trainer may explain their interpretation of the test before commencement.

The responsibility of acquiring an award lies with the trainer (the handler of the dog under assessment), ie they should demonstrate their understanding of the objective of the exercise and be able to perform with minimal support or guidance. It is not the Assessor's responsibility to guide the trainer.

The Assessor's decision in grading is final. The Assessor may make alterations to the criteria if appropriate.

Awarding points

Three points will be awarded where the dog and trainer show an excellent understanding of the exercise and perform as required. The performance, relationship and understanding must demonstrate "Distinction".

Two points will be awarded if the dog shows a good understanding of the exercise but some areas in need of further training. These areas must include only elements that tidy up, finish or add polish to an exercise or if the dog generally shows a Distinctive performance but has a minor lapse in concentration.

One point will be awarded if the dog shows an understanding of the exercise but requires significant further training. An example: requiring two cues to initiate the behaviour, or responding with the incorrect behaviour the first time but is correct the second time. Significant further training would be required if the dog needs continuous verbal cues during an exercise. Some of this may be due to the nerves of the trainer which may be taken into consideration at Level 1.

No points will be awarded if the dog requires several cues in any exercise at any Level. Allowances may be made for exceptional distractions that are beyond the expectations of the level being assessed; where there is an unequal opportunity to be successfully assessed.

Each exercise will be assessed in four categories:

0 = does not respond to the trainer within a reasonable time

or does the wrong behaviour/activity more than once

1 = the dog shows an understanding of the exercise but requires significant further training

2 = the dog shows a good understanding of the exercise but some areas are in need of further training

3 = dog shows an excellent understanding of the exercise and performs as required

In each test the points gained for each exercise will be totalled and a Pass, Merit or Distinction will be awarded for that Core Test or Option. Titles will be awarded for dogs gaining Distinction the required number of times.

All exercises in any test must attain at least a "1" for the dog to achieve a Pass and a "2" for a Distinction.

Specific Guidelines

For Level 1 the dog may be on or off lead. The lead should only be used for safety, if the trainer uses the lead to coerce the dog for any other reason a "0" will be given. The Trainer must ensure the lead is an appropriate length to demonstrate the dog's abilities and not be kept tight.

Entry

1. Qualifications for calculating eligibility is the closing date for entries to be posted for the event, or the day of the event for “enter on the day” events.

2. The owner of the dog entering an event does so at his or her own risk and agrees to abide by the Rules of the K9 Multi Sports Organisation.

Progress and Titles

The dog must enter the lowest level for which it is eligible. When entering a Core Exercise the dog may enter any one of the Options for which it is eligible.

An Entry will cover one Core Test and two Options for which the dog is eligible.

The dog must have achieved Distinction in previous lower level of an Option to enter the higher Level with the exception of Level 1. A dog is no longer eligible to enter an Option when it has been awarded Distinction in that Option at that Level.

A dog is no longer eligible to enter the Core Exercises when it has been awarded the Title at that Level

Titles will be awarded to a dog at each level that achieves Distinction:

Core Test at level 1 twice + 1 Option at level 1 = K9MS1

Core Test at level 2, 3 times + 2 Options at level 2 = K9MS2

Core Test at level 3, 4 times + 3 Options at level 3 = K9MS3

Core Test at level 4, 4 times + 4 Options at level 4 = K9MS4

Core Test at level 5, 5 times + 4 Options at level 5 = K9MS5

Core Test at level 6, 5 times + 5 Options at level 6 = K9MS6

Dogs with K9MS6 may compete for the Supreme K9 Multi Sport Championships.

For all dogs gaining a Distinction, the Record of Achievement will be signed by the Assessor and stamped by the Verifier on the day of the event. Titles Certificates are obtainable from the Organisation.