Mini League
There are two types of assessments available: urban and rural.
Each type consists of 13 levels, which are duplicated in both urban and rural settings.
You have the option to take part in either the urban assessments, rural assessments, or both, depending on what suits your dog and yourself best.
For experienced trailers, you can start at any level. Once you have successfully passed an assessment at a certain level, you can only progress further up the league and cannot move down.
It is possible to be at different levels in the rural and urban assessments.
For example, you could be at level one in the rural assessment and level eight in the urban assessment. However, it is important to note that regardless of the different levels, you can only continue progressing up the league and cannot move down.
This system allows for flexibility and accommodates the individual needs and abilities of both the dogs and their handlers.
There are 3 mini league levels to work though
THE RULES
During assessments, rewards such as treats or toys need to stay with the handler. This is to ensure that the dog is truly trailing the scent of the person, rather than being guided by the scent of the reward or the person holding it. By keeping the rewards with the handler, it helps prove that the dog is following the correct scent trail.
Scent articles, which are used to establish the scent trail, are sealed in a bag and presented to the dog after the scent inventory process. This prevents the dog from picking up scent from the open bag or article on the floor (pre scenting), which can distract them or lead to them not wanting to take the scent when offered.
Trail Layers must maintain a neutral response when the dog approaches. They should not react or provide any cues until instructed to do so. This ensures that the dog is not influenced by body language or unintentional signals. The rewards can be delivered by the trail layer once they have been handed across, this should be done quickly to avoid any confusion.
During the assessment, the assessor, will not be as close to the handler as during regular instruction sessions. They will not be talking or coaching the handler through the assessment. Instead, they will be positioned further back, allowing the handler to work with their dog and solve any problems independently. This promotes independent problem-solving and showcases the handler's skills in working with their dog.
These differences in training methods help ensure that the dog is accurately following the scent trail and that the handler can effectively read and work with their dog during the assessment process.
It is possible to be at different levels in the rural and urban assessments.
The Team can switch to TRAINING MODE at any time, (this will mean they fall the assessment)
Mini League One
Mini Trail League1
Level 1 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Cloth 20cm x 20cm in a sealed bag
Length: 100m
Junction: 0
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00mins
Details: Trail layer standing hidden
Level 2 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Cloth 20cm x 20cm in a sealed bag
Length: 100m
Junction: 1 (90 degree) 15 to 5 metre from the end.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00min
Details: Trail layer standing hidden
Level 3 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Hard article (in a sealed bag, keys cup etc)
Length: 100m
Junction: 1 (90 degree) anywhere along the trail.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00min
Details: Trail layer standing hidden
Level 4 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Soft article (in a sealed bag)
Length: 100m Split start
Junction: 1, anywhere along the trail.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 1, 25 to 50m from the start and not visible
Time: 15:00min
Details: Split, both to leave start at the same time and not be visible
Level 5 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Soft article (in a sealed bag)
Length: 100m Split start
Junction: 1 anywhere
Aged: 0
Decoys: 1, 5 to 10 meters from the start and visible
Time: 15:00mins
Details: trail layer and decoy to walk out together and decoy will be visible
Level 6 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Soft article (in a sealed bag)
Length: 75m, Split start
Junction: 0
Aged: 0
Decoys: 1
Time: 15:00min
Details: Trail layer and decoys at least 30 m apart and visible
Level 7 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Novel Item (Held by TL for a minute, in a sealed bag)
Length: 150m
Junction: 2 anywhere along the trail.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00min
Details: Trail layer sitting.
Level 8 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Soft article (in a sealed bag)
Length: minimum of 100m
Junction: 1, anywhere along the trail.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00min
Details: Walking trail layer
Level 9 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Novel Item (Held by TL for a minute, in a sealed bag)
Length: minimum of 100m
Junction: 1, anywhere along the trail.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00min
Details: Walking trail layer
Level 10 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Soft article (in a sealed bag)
Length: 200m
Junction: 2, anywhere along the trail.
Aged: 15
Decoys: 0
Time: 20:00min
Details: Trail layer standing open
Level 11 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Soft article (in a sealed bag)
Length: 300m
Junction: 3, anywhere along the trail.
Aged: 30
Decoys: 0
Time: 20:00min
Details: Trail layer standing open
Level 12 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Car or door handle.
Length: 100m
Junction: 0.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00min
Details: Trail layer standing hidden
Level 13 Urban & Rural
Scent Article: Car or door handle.
Length: minimum of 150m
Junction: 1.
Aged: 0
Decoys: 0
Time: 15:00min
Details: Trail layer walking