Welcome back to Gemini Dogs!
UPDATED: Pinpointing Requirement:
Please be aware that the Judges of this Gemini Dogs Mock Nose Work Trial have been instructed to apply the NACSW pinpointing requirement and to only pass those handler and dog teams that successfully pinpoint the location of an odor source. So, don't take your eyes off your dog and listen to what your dog is telling you!!!
Running Order
For this mock trial, we will be running in the following order:
- Scent Only
- Scent with Food
- Multiple Dogs
- NW2 Dogs
Hide Locations
You will begin in one of our training rooms, and then (as your dog number is called) you will enter the room for the box drill and interior search. You will then exit the building, and proceed to the area set aside for the outdoor and vehicle searches. We want you and your dog to stay safe, so please watch for orange paint denoting any unsafe footing when outdoors.
We will be moving the hide for any handlers with multiple dogs.
Your Timeslot
You will be assigned to a specific timeslot, but please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled run time, as some dogs may complete their run faster than we anticipate. If you have any issues with needing to move your dog ahead or behind in the run order, please just let us know and we will be happy to switch your dog's timeslot.
Reactive Dogs
Reactive dogs should wear a red bandana to warn others to stay clear of them.
Check-In
Upon arrival, we ask that you leave your dog in the car, and enter our facility following the signage. You will find the check-in desk, where you should provide us with your running time and your dog number from the list here.
Once you have completed the check-in process, you may set up your crate or exercise pen in our crating area. There will be plenty of room for competitors and dogs to wait indoors, so please feel free to “set up camp” and stay around to help out!
Volunteering
We are asking each entrant to volunteer as a steward for another dog. Once you complete the run with your dog, we ask that you report to the check-in desk for your volunteer assignment.
As a volunteer steward, you will simply retrieve a score sheet and stopwatch from the check-in desk, and escort a dog/handler team into the hide area. You will then hand the clipboard to the judge, and act as the timer. Time begins when the dog crosses the start line (or when the handler gives the search command) and ends when the handler calls, “Alert!” You will then read the time to the judge so that they can record the time on the score sheet. You will repeat this process for each hide, following that same dog through the four hides.
At the end, you will simply return the completed score sheet and clipboard to the check-in desk, along with the stopwatch. You are then free to leave, but feel free to stick around and help or watch the action.
Preparing to Enter the Ring
Your dog has been assigned a dog number. We will post a large board with the number of the dog who should be “on deck” and ready to enter the ring. You may check the board as you wait so that you can gauge how much time you have to prepare for your run. Be sure to potty your dog in advance and dispose of any waste properly.
As your dog number appears, we ask that you approach the check-in desk. You and your dog will wait (along with your volunteer steward) until the judge calls you into the hide area.
Note: If you feel that it will cause undue stress to have your dog pass through the main crating area, you may request to enter the building through the main lobby, in order to avoid other dogs and people. Please make that request in advance by informing us at the check-in table. If your dog is reactive, please have your dog wear a red bandana.
Restrooms
Should you need to use the restroom, you may do so by entering the lobby of our facility through the glass door. Please do not bring your dog into this entrance. Be aware that dog/handler teams will be exiting the building through that same door, so please watch for them and stay clear, as some of them may be reactive.
Directions
Directions to our facility are located on our website. We strongly suggest reviewing those directions if you have never been to Gemini Dogs before, as your GPS will not be able to direct you to our building. GPS devices will only bring you to the section of Route 2A/110 where we are located. Our online directions also include photographs of the area and of the facility, for your reference.
Running Order
A running order will be posted the Wednesday prior to each event. We have determined these start times based on the results of previous events, and we hope that we will be able to stick to this schedule. In a perfect world, we would run right on schedule. (We have been running pretty much on time for our other K9 Nose Work events.) However, it is possible that we will either start running behind or ahead of schedule at some point in the day. For that reason, we ask that you please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
If we are running ahead of schedule and your dog is not here yet, we may allow another dog to go ahead of you in the order. That way, we will not hold up the rest of the dogs waiting for you to arrive. You will then be able to slide your dog into the schedule at your regularly scheduled time. If we are running behind schedule, please be prepared to wait your turn. This may happen if we need to re-set the boxes more often than we anticipate.
Regardless, when you do arrive, you will be able to see where we are in the running order, and how many dogs are ahead of you.
We will be moving the hide for the second dog; for that reason, we will schedule people who have multiple dogs for later in the day. Likewise for those competitors running a dog in both trials.
Conflicts
If you notice any conflicts with the schedule once posted, or if you are sharing a ride with someone else and your dogs are too far apart, please let us know as soon as possible. An updated running order will be posted if there are any significant changes. Otherwise, we will just contact the person who is affected by the change.
If you are running late for your appointed time slot, or will not be able to participate in the mock trial, please call or text Michelle at (978) 387-3663 as soon as possible. We will make every effort to reschedule you if you have problems getting here on time.
Questions
If you have any questions that have not been answered in this confirmation letter, please contact me at michelle@geminidogs.com or call me at 978-387-3663. We look forward to a great day!