Marathon Down

PRESENTED BY:

OBJECTIVE:
To see which dog remains in a “down-stay” after heavy distraction

RULES:

1. All dogs must be on a leash.
2. At judge’s command, owners place their dogs in a “stay” behind a stationary rope.
3. Owner is permitted one command and/or hand signal to dog. If both hand signal and command are given, they must be given simultaneously.
4. All owners will then go to end of leash and the distractions begin.
   Competitive Handlers: After initial command, they cannot give another command either verbally or nonverbally for the duration of the competition.
   All non-competitive handlers: They may praise their dogs between distractions.
5. Dogs are permitted to lie on their sides, back or stomach.

DISQUALIFICATION:

DOGS:

• Refusal to lie down, creeping, standing, sitting, excessive whining or barking, excessive rolling.

OWNERS:

• Fun/Recreational Level:
  • Touching the dog
  • Repeated “stay” commands
  • Not following the judge’s instructions
• Competitive Level:
  • All DQ’s listed under “Fun” level
  • Talking in the ring

JUDGE’S INSTRUCTIONS:

• Place rope at one end of ring for the dogs to line up behind. This rope is stationary.
• Place another rope where handlers will stand behind. This line is stationary.
• Do anything reasonable to distract the dogs into breaking their stay. Distractions start out mild and get harder as the field is narrowed down. Distractions may include toys, food, balls, a person running or talking, unusual noises, introducing a neutral dog to the group, etc…use your imagination.
• For Scoring: Assign consecutive numbers to teams as they are eliminated – beginning with number 1 (i.e. 1st team eliminated is assigned number 1 and is last place). When there is only one team left, that team is assigned the highest number and is in 1st place, team with 2nd highest number is in 2nd place, etc. until you have ranked each team.

SUPPLIES:
Toys, squeakies, treats, balls.