Nosework & Alerts
Alerts — Full Description: D, DH, and TJ Roles
Covers all alert types and the alert exercise. Applies to all nose work disciplines.
Before Any Nose Work — Declaration
DH announces the chosen alert type to TJ when reporting in (on leash, GS).
TJ registers the declared type. The D must alert in exactly that style — alerting differently = Insufficient.
During the Search — When the D Finds a VP
Step 1 — D alerts independently
The D must alert independently, clearly, intensively, and in a directional way until the DH arrives. No assistance from anyone is permitted at any point.
Step 2 — DH reports the alert
DH announces the executed alert to TJ verbally as soon as the D is alerting.
DH may NOT approach the D yet.
Step 3 — TJ gives permission
TJ gives the instruction for the DH to approach (barking, scratching) or is brought by the D (bringsel, free indication).
Step 4 — Ending the alert
After the DH reaches the VP, the DH ends the alert. At DH’s discretion:
- Recall D to his side in the vicinity of the alert, OR
- Walk to D, take it into heel, lead it approx. 2–3 m away from the VP and place it in down
D is lying down ~3 m from the find location and must stay calm there without disturbing the situation.
DH walks to the VP and makes contact (talks to VP).
Rubble exception: Taking D away and placing it lying down is only done if the rubble situation allows it.
Step 5 — Change of motivation
The D must show a change in motivation — transitioning from alert drive to calm behaviour with contact established at the VP.
This counts for 30% of the alert points.
During contact period: D behaves calmly at the designated place.
Step 6 — TJ closes the alert
TJ gives instruction: DH returns to D and leaves the alert place together with D.
Alert Types — Execution Details
Barking
Disciplines: F, FL, T, L, MT
D: Orients definitively to VP or scent cone. Barks continuously and directly until TJ gives instruction for DH to appear. D should not touch the VP.
DH: Waits. Announces alert to TJ. Approaches only at TJ instruction. Ends alert: either recalls D to his side near the VP, or walks to D, takes it into heel, leads it 2–3 m away from VP and places it in down.
TJ: Observes orientation, continuity, directness. Gives instruction for DH to approach once alert is clearly established. Evaluates: execution, barking quality, remaining at alert place.
Rubble (T) specifics:
At closed hides reachable for D: D indicates scent cone through directed behaviour.
Penetrating behaviour is not faulty.
D must NOT touch the VP.
Leaving the alert place:
- Leaves once, returns independently → maximum Satisfactory
- Leaves again after returning → Insufficient
- Does not return independently → 0 points
Bringsel
Disciplines: F, FL, T
Setup: Special collar with bringsel attached before the search begins. Must have a release mechanism for D’s safety. Norwegian bringsel: verify D can carry it freely and drop it.
D (sequence):
- Finds VP
- Picks up the bringsel from the collar
- Returns to DH via direct route, carries bringsel without releasing it
- Releases bringsel to DH (sitting in front is not required)
- Takes DH back to VP via direct route, maintaining contact with DH
- Arrives at VP, remains there independently
- DH takes D off leash, ends alert: recalls D nearby or leads it 2–3 m away into down
DH: May take D on leash (max 10 m) during the lead-back to VP. In rubble, show leash is not permitted. May speak to D during lead-back. May give AC for stopping/moving on if terrain requires it.
TJ: Watches pickup, direct return, direct lead-back, remaining at VP. Evaluates: execution, bringsel pickup, bringing without releasing, direct return to VP.
Fault thresholds:
- Not holding bringsel calmly: not faulty
- Strongly chewing bringsel: devalue
- Contact interrupted briefly in dense terrain / D pauses while DH closes gap: not faulty
- Any assistance from DH/VP/TL: 0 points
Free Indication
Disciplines: F, FL, T, MT
D (sequence):
- Finds VP
- Runs back to DH via quickest direct route
- Shows declared contact behaviour at DH (e.g., jumping up, bumping, barking at DH, eye contact)
- Runs back to VP via direct route
- Repeats until DH reaches VP or alert place
- Remains at VP until DH arrives
DH: Follows D toward VP. D must never be put on leash at any point during the exercise. Declared contact behaviour must be made known to TJ before the nose work.
TJ: Watches that route is direct (both ways), that the contact behaviour at DH is clear, and that D does not detour. Any assistance = 0 points.
Contact behaviour examples (DH declares one before work):
- Jumping up or bumping the DH
- Barking at the DH
- Eye contact between DH and D
Indication (static)
Disciplines: F (articles and FHL), MT (trail layer / TL)
D: Remains in chosen position (sit, down, or stand) at the article or person until DH arrives. Must show clear, calm behaviour — not bothering the VP.
DH (F): Goes to D when it has indicated. Raises the article to confirm find to TJ. Resumes work.
DH (MT): Must clearly recognise the alert and directly identify the TL. Reports alert to TJ. Approaches D only at TJ directive. No previous conversation with VP/TL.
TJ: Observes that position is assumed immediately and held. Unsteady or unclear behaviour devalues. If DH triggers the alert: 0 points.
Scratching and Penetration
Disciplines: L (Avalanche only)
D: Orients continuously and definitively to VP. Shows penetration behaviour through scratching until DH appears and ends the alert. Barking is not faulty and is evaluated as a measure of intensity and interest.
DH: Waits for TJ instruction to approach.
TJ: Scratching and penetrating are intensity indicators — they can be done in combination with barking. TJ evaluates orientation, continuity, and intensity.
Special: If VP remains in the hide after the alert, D can be dispatched from there again — but only if it is the first alert.
Alert Exercise (Separate Exercise Before the Search)
The alert exercise tests alert execution in a controlled setup, outside the search area, before the actual search begins.
Version 1 — Open / Visible VP
Applies to: FL A/B, F V
Setup:
- VP outside search area, sitting or lying visibly at 20 m from dispatch point.
- VP goes to alert place without being seen by D beforehand.
Sequence:
| Who | What |
|---|---|
| TJ | Gives instruction to start |
| DH | Readies D; sends D with 1 AC and/or VC to VP |
| D | Goes by most direct route to VP; alerts in declared style |
| DH | Announces alert to TJ |
| TJ | Gives instruction for DH to approach (or D leads DH for bringsel/free indication) |
| DH | Goes to VP (or is led by D); ends alert (recall near VP or pickup) |
| D | Placed lying down ~3 m from VP, stays calm |
| DH | Walks to VP, talks to VP |
| TJ | Gives instruction |
| DH | Returns to D; D assumes GS (AC/VC) |
| Nose work (search) follows |
Barking duration: ~15 seconds before TJ gives the instruction.
Version 2 — Hidden VP (pipe, crate, or snow hide)
Applies to: T A/B, L A/B
Setup:
- VP in pipe with lid, crate, or snow hide, outside and clearly separate from search area.
- Hide is shown to DH.
- Work begins at 10 m marker in front of hide.
- Snow hide: loosely constructed with snow blocks so D can penetrate by scratching.
Sequence:
| Who | What |
|---|---|
| TJ | Gives instruction to start |
| DH | Readies D; sends D to hide with 1 AC and/or VC |
| D | Picks up scent at hide; alerts in declared style |
| DH | Announces alert to TJ |
| TJ | Gives instruction for DH to leave the location |
| DH | Ends alert (recall near VP or pickup) |
| D | Placed lying down ~3 m from find location; stays calm; must not disturb recovery |
| DH | Helps free the person (removes snow/opens crate) |
| DH | When opening large enough: allows D to advance to VP |
| TJ | Gives instruction for VP to leave the hide |
| TJ | Gives instruction |
| DH | Assumes GS with D via AC and/or VC |
| Nose work (search) follows |
Barking duration: ~15 seconds before TJ gives the instruction.
Bringsel and free indication: execution is analogous — same sequence of TJ instructions, adapted to the alert type.
What TJ Evaluates — Alert Summary
| Criterion | Weight / Notes |
|---|---|
| Execution (approach to VP, alert behaviour) | Major component |
| Alert quality (orientation, continuity, directness) | Per alert type spec |
| Remaining at alert place | Explicit — leave once = max Satisfactory |
| Change of motivation | 30% of alert points |
| Any assistance by DH/VP/TL | 0 points — hard rule |
| Infraction against VP by D | Devalue accordingly |
| Alert done in different style than declared | Insufficient |
Scoring Cliff Summary
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| D does not indicate VP | 0 points |
| D leaves immediately after alerting | 0 points |
| Any assistance (DH/VP/TL) | 0 points |
| Alert triggered by DH | 0 points |
| D leaves once, returns independently | max Satisfactory |
| D leaves again after returning | Insufficient |
| D does not return independently | 0 points |
| Alert style different from declared | Insufficient |
| Alert exercise: D doesn’t go directly / detours | Devalue |
Source: exercises/18_alerts_full.md