RULES

General Rules - Competition Scent Dog Trials are judged upon:

1. Safety

2. Thresholds

3. Control

4. System

5. Indication

6. Working to source

Levels:

  • To pass a level and progress to the next level, you must; Gain a pass score at that level Alert Trial and gain a pass score at that level Pro Trial for each of the 4 elements.

  • Once teams have completed a level for competition they cannot move back down levels for competition.

  • Level progression goes with the qualifying dog & handler team. All new teams start at level one despite the handlers experience with any other dogs that they handle.

  • You may run as NOT FOR COMPETITION (NFC) at our trials, at the level you are working towards, one level above and any previous completed levels.

Extra points gained

Achieving a clean sweep with no false alerts called, gains you an extra 5 points and awarded to all competitors who achieve this regardless of their placing.

Point deductions

  • False alert - Max 2 allowed, 0.5 points deducted each time, disqualified on 3rd

  • Toileting in the search area - Max 2 allowed, 2.5 points deducted each time, disqualified on 3rd . These point deductions only apply to the first dog who toilets that area, any dogs following them will only lose points if they toilet 1 metre or more either away from the previously marked area.

Disqualification types - Teams will be disqualified if any of the following occurs:

  • Harsh handling own or another dog

  • Dog toileted three or more times in the trial area

  • 3 or more false alerts

  • Dog aggression towards a human

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct

  • Double handling

Asking ‘where?’

  • If the Judge is not sure where the competitor is alerting to, the Judge can ask “where”. The Competitor will tell the Judge but must not re-task the dog to the hide.

  • If the dog has missed any hides, the competitor will not be allowed to task the dog into a missed hide at the end of the search.

General rules;

  • Competitors must have registered & received a registration number before any trial entries are accepted.

  • You may only run one dog on the same day at the same trial level for competition. If you have two dogs to enter then the second would be NFC and ran after the dog for competition. You can however compete two dogs at different levels on the same day.

  • Dogs must be 10 Months old or over to enter.

  • It is the handlers choice if they work their dog on or off lead. However if you do work them off line, there may be certain areas where you are asked to keep them on. This is compulsory when requested and will vary depending on venue.

  • Any handlers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The adult cannot assist the handler with any physical handling of the dog during the search.

  • Competitors must check event rules with individual trial managers before entering a trial with a handler under 16 years of age. Each Trial Manager has their own rules due to individual insurance requirements and/or venue rules.

  • Each search includes two elements that together form one complete search and will be scored as such. Competitors should note that, depending on the venue, these elements may be conducted either continuously or with a short pause between elements.

  • Rewards & reinforcements are encouraged. Either food or toys can be used.

  • Food rewards must not have a crumbly texture. No Food rewards to be fed from the floor or dropped whilst feeding.

  • Toy reward must not disrupt the search area.

  • Any handling that involves the use of Force, Fear or Pain will result in immediate disqualification.

  • We don’t allow e-collars, pinch collars, slip leads or no-pull harnesses that tighten on the dog or any piece of equipment that causes pain or discomfort.

  • Bitches in season are not permitted to enter any Competition Scent Dog Trials.

  • Head collars are not permitted during a CSD Trial.

  • Belly bands are not permitted.

  • All competitors will search numerous odours which will increase as the levels progress.

  • The maximum number of odour types (at present) is 6. It is the competitors responsibility to ensure their dog has scent ID to the odours used at the level entered.

  • The search must be systematic & progressive. Maximum time allowed is 20 - 30 minutes depending on the trial level and size of search area. A five minute warning can be requested. How long your search takes you will not be recorded and is NOT part of the overall score.

  • Where possible a White Dog will be run before the start of the trial.

  • Competitors are strictly prohibited from walking around the trial area prior to their search and cannot watch other competitors in search area.

  • Competitors should check in with the trials official upon arrival at the trial venue and make them aware of any additional needs of dog or handler.

  • Competitors are not allowed to watch other competitors following their search.

  • Once your search has commenced you cannot leave the trial area and return back to continue the trial for competition. It is at the Judges discretion if they allow you back in to continue your search and give you feedback as NFC.

  • Competitors will not remove hides, interfere or touch hides in any way.

  • Competitors must ask the Judge before touching anything in the search area or moving objects in scenario-based Alert Trials. Items must not be touched in a Pro Trial.

  • Competitors are to be reminded that in Alert Trials, there maybe other tasks and elements within the trial and fun problem solving may be required.

  • All premises & search areas will be risk assessed prior to the start of the trial by the Trial Manager.

  • Competitors and guests must take responsibility for their own and their dog’s safety at the trials.

  • The handler’s alert signal must be stated before the commencement of the search.

  • Safety question is to be asked prior to entering the search area (not after the search has begun). It is expected that competitors ask the Judge ‘If there are any hazards that they need to be aware of’ competitors will not be reminded of this and failure to do so will lose points.

  • The Judge may pause a search at anytime in the interests of safety or to allow for an area to be cleaned. Competitors can be informed where previous dogs have toileted.

  • Competitors are not to bring target odours onto the trials site with them.

  • Competitors must seek permission from both the Judge and Trial Manager before filming their search. Please respect that permission may not always be granted for various reasons including venue rules.

  • You may withdraw from competition during your search if you feel it is in the best interest of you and your dog. You can still complete your search if you wish but you will not receive a scoresheet.

  • After the search has commenced, the competitor will need to tell the Judge when they have finished searching to end their search.

  • Scores and scoresheets will not be released until after the last competitor has finished searching and the Judge & Trial Manager have finalised scores.

Search time and tiebreaker:

  • The time allowed for the whole search is 20 - 30 minutes depending on trial level and size of search area. The Judge will tell you when you have 5 minutes remaining. However time forms no part in the overall scoring.

  • In the event of an equal score, a tiebreaker set of 3 questions based on Scent theory will be asked. The winner will be the handler who clicks a clicker (or gives a verbal marker) first and answers two of the questions correctly.

(Last updated January 2026)