Outcomes and Scoring

0 Points vs. Insufficient — What’s the Difference?

0 points — absolute zero. No partial credit, no evaluation of what was shown before the fault.

Insufficient — the exercise is capped at the Insufficient grade band (0–69% of max), but the judge still evaluates quality within that band. The dog showed something, worth some points — just not above the Insufficient ceiling.

Practical example on the horizontal ladder (10 p exercise):

• Jumps off in first half → 0 points — the rungs it did walk don’t count at all
• Jumps off after first half → Insufficient — judge evaluates what was shown, may award 3–6 points (max 6.5 under the official 10-point table)
• Jumps off after the last rung → maximum Satisfactory — capped at 79%, so up to 7.5 points

Progression: 0 pts < Insufficient (up to 6.5/10) < max Satisfactory (up to 7.5/10) < full range

Logic: fault location reflects how much the dog actually demonstrated. First half = essentially nothing valid shown. Second half = dog completed most of the obstacle, deserves something but not a passing grade.

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Warning / Termination / Disqualification

Warning (first warning −5; second warning terminates the phase)

• Non-adherence to TJ directive
• Prohibited help or touching D during nose work / UO/GW (except praise)
• Unsportsmanlike behaviour
• Relinquishing an exercise or part of an exercise

Termination (phase ends; points up to that moment kept, minus 61 pts in phase A / 31 pts in phase B)

• D leaves testing area, does not return after 3rd AC
• D shows no obedience after 3rd AC
• Lack of preparation / willingness to work / temperament flaws / physical limitations
• After 2nd warning
• Giving food or motivational items during work
• After a 2nd false alert

The 2026 guideline sets a minimum recorded score of 1 point after the mandatory termination deduction. Reaching the time limit or the end of the area/track is normal completion, not automatically a penalised termination. F/MT completion and tracking stopped because the trail is lost retain evaluation of work shown without this deduction.

The judge announces sanctions immediately. A terminated phase fails; continue any remaining phase unless disqualified.

Disqualification (entire test = 0; notation in scorebook; written report to IRO)

• Unsportsmanlike behaviour before, during, or after test
• Use of forceful training aids anywhere in the testing area or bordering areas
• Aggressive behaviour of D against people or animals
• Injury to a VP
• Pulling out from the test without reason

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Scoring Reminders

• The official table uses 0.5-point bands for partial scores; final phase scores are whole points, rounded according to the overall impression.
• Qualification thresholds: Excellent ≥96%, Very Good ≥90%, Good ≥80%, Satisfactory ≥70%, Insufficient <70%.
• A marginal repeated fault (e.g., consistently slightly crooked GS) should not be hammered in every exercise — incorporate into the overall picture discussion instead.
• Splayed DH stance: universally faulty, devalues that exercise.

Sources

FCI/IRO 2025, §2.6–3.2. Binding IRO guideline, approved 25 August 2026.