Nosework — General Procedures

DH Readiness

• DH stays out of sight of search area with search-ready D until called.
• Search vest and/or collar are generally permitted, subject to the rubble exceptions below.
• If D uses Bringsel alert: bringsel is placed on D before the search begins.

Reporting In

• DH reports with D on leash in GS.
• DH announces selected type of alert to TJ at this point.

Victims (VP)

• VPs are TJ assistants; must stay quiet in hide.
• No assistance to DH or D at any time — this includes not helping at the alert.
• No objects (blankets, backpacks) left in unused hiding places.

Tactical Situation

• TJ describes search area (visibly marked or clearly bounded).
• TJ provides: what happened, search area, area structures, prior actions, infrastructure and risks.
• Search time begins after the tactical situation is announced by TJ.

AC/VC During Search

• Repeated and any AC/VC to direct D are permitted.
• Excessive commands to search are faulty.

Alert

• DH announces executed alert to TJ.
• DH may approach D only at TJ instruction.

Completion

The judge may stop search work once all victims are found. Finish with reporting out and the judge’s evaluation; finding the last victim does not replace the final report.

DH Evaluation Criteria

• Handling the D (leading, pressure, holding back, reading the D)
• Teamwork
• Rational deployment of D
• Tactic: situation assessment, implementation, overview; includes:
  • Questioning witnesses (position, statements)
  • Wind direction, topography, area composition
  • Systematic coverage and knowledge of searched/unsearched areas
  • Dog’s capabilities, building condition and last known victim positions
  • Suitable dispatch point and final report (coverage and victim locations)

Dog Evaluation Criteria

• Directability: cooperation with DH, goal-oriented implementation while maintaining search motivation
• Search intensity: drive, behaviour, temperament, motivation
• Mobility: type and manner, dealing with difficulties, endurance
• Independence: individual work drive
• Overall picture

Alert procedures and equipment

See Alerts for barking, bringsel, free indication, the separate alert exercise and the 30% change-of-motivation component. See contact and aids for the clarified start/restart procedure.

Separate alert exercise: FL/T A/B before search; no separate exercise in FL/T V. F V is an exception: it follows the track.

Rubble: no search vest or ordinary collar during search; bringsel collar is permitted. §2.3 also permits a loosely worn medicinal/parasite collar. Small locator lights/bells are permitted; no spotlight to illuminate the dog’s route.

Sources

FCI/IRO 2025, §3.4.1–3.4.3; 2.2–2.3. Binding IRO guideline, approved 25 August 2026.