HOW TO JOIN THE PUDA SPORT PROTECTION DOG TRIALS
The Philippine Utility Dog Association or PUDA conducts Sport Protection Dog Trials and certifies dogs that passed the standard. But before any dog can enter in the trial, it will have to pass a pre-qualification trial or an entrance test once. The entrance test is given to all first time contenders only.
THE ENTRANCE TEST
The Entrance test shall be given to all first time trial competitors for the PUDA Sport and PUDA Reality Trials. The exercises for the Entrance Test are as follows:
Anti-Poison 
10pts
Hurdle (0.80m) 10pts
Defense of Handler 30pts
Attack with Gun 30pts
Attack with Stick 30pts
Gift Points 10pts
TOTAL POINTS 130pts
The dog has to obtain at least 100 points out of the total of 130 points, once, in order to pass the Entrance Test (provided that it did not fail in any of the protection exercises). A PUDA certified Judge shall give the entrance test before the trial date or at a specific time set by the PUDA.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING THE SPORT PROTECTION TRIAL.
1. The Handler must secure a SCOREBOOK from the PUDA.
2. The Handler must pay an annual registration fee for himself and for the dog. This would allow them to join any PUDA trial for the whole year (including the PUDA Utility Obedience Trial)
3. Dogs must be identified by tattoo or microchip. Said identification must be recorded on the dog's Scorebook. All tattoos shall be alpha numeric only.
4. The dog must at least be 12 months of age.
5. Bitches on heat may be allowed to join provided that they will be the last to enter and perform into the trial field.
6. Dogs with contagious conditions will not be allowed to compete.
7. Dogs must be updated in their vaccinations. Vaccination record shall be checked by the trial veterinarian upon registration.
8. No handler under the influence of drug or liquor shall be allowed to compete.
The numbering of contenders in the trial shall be determined by the drawing of lots. This shall be conducted on the same day before the start of the trial. If the handler is not physically present during the drawing of lots, his/her representative or the Head Judge may draw it for him/her.
During the trial, if the handler failed to show up after repeated calls, he/she shall be eliminated from the trial and their entry fee shall be forfeited.
Unless otherwise specified, a dog that incurs a penalty equivalent to the maximum deduction allowed to pass a certain level, may opt to discontinue with the remaining exercises. In such case, the word "DISCONTINUED" shall be recorded in the Scorebook.
THE HANDLER: It is the Handler's responsibility to know and abide by the rules of the PUDA. Failure to comply with the rules shall carry sanctions ranging from temporary suspension to permanent exclusion in all PUDA trials. For each case not specified in the rules, the decision of the Judge shall reign supreme and final.
DRESS CODE: The Handler is required to observe a dress code in all trials. Short pants, sandos, sleeveless shirt, slippers, sandals and the likes are strictly prohibited. Violations of this rule shall automatically disqualify the Handler from entering in the trial.
RESPECT: The Handler must obey, respect, and accept in a sportsmanlike manner the insructions, decisions, observations, and critique made by the Judge. Full courtesy must be observed towards the Judge, the Decoy, the Ring Stewards and the trial organizers before, during, and after the trial.
FORGERY: The Handler must not attempt to fake, forge, or falsify the result of the trial.
CONSPIRACY: The Handler must not attempt to connive, plot, or conspire to fix the result of the trial.
DISOBEDIENCE AND REBELLION: The PUDA reserves the right to refuse or to accept the participation of any person who have previously shown rebellious act, unsportsmanlike behavior, disobedience, disrespect, or indecent conduct in the trial towards the trial officials and/or the PUDA as an organization.
NEGLIGENCE: It is the Handler's responsibility to ensure that the dog does not stray into the trial field while the trial is ongoing. All dogs that stray into the trial field for whatever reason shall be expelled from the trial. Whatever scores earned by the dog prior to the commission of the offense shall be considered null and void. The Handler shall likewise be held liable for any accidents caused by his/her dog before, during, and after the trial, whether it is inside or outside the trial field.
RESPONSIBLE HANDLING: It is required that the Handler allows the dog to relieve itself before entering the trial field. If a dog does relieve itself inside the ring before, during, or after an exercise, it will be deducted two (2) points under the General Outlook provision. If done during the execution of an exercise, the clock must be stopped to give the dog a chance to finish relieving. The clock shall stop the moment the dog do the "act", and must resume counting immediately after the first act is done. Any second or third attempt to relieve shall not be tolerated. Thus, the clock shall continue counting.
It is also the Handler's responsibility to ensure that his'her dog is in good physical condition at the time of the trial. The PUDA shall not be held liable for any accident that may occur to the dog and/or the Handler before, during, and after the trial.
The Handler is not allowed to punish or physically hurt the dog during the trial. The Judge may deduct some or all the points under the General Outlook provision or may suspend the Handler depending on the gravity of the offense.
THE TRIAL JUDGE: The trial shall be officiated by a Head Judge who is certified by the PUDA, assisted by a Timer, and a Scorer who may also be certified PUDA Judges or Apprentice Judge. Working with the team of Judges are two or more certified Decoys chosen by the Head Judge.
In cases where the team of Judges is composed of all certified PUDA Judges, the Head Judge's decision shall reign supreme in instances not covered by the rules and regulation.
The Head Judge shall be responsible in the arrangement of the trial field and the selection of distractions to be used in the trial. All of which are to be kept secret to the Handlers and must be revealed only on the trial day. Any member of the team of Judges cannot enter his/her own dog in the trial where he/she is part of the team of Judges.
THE PUDA DECOY: The Decoys working on a PUDA trial must be certified by the PUDA. He must have consistency, fairness and impartiality in working all the dogs in the entire trial.
Before the actual trial, the Head Judge picks the Decoy of his choice. He instructs him of all that he wants him to do. He acts as the assistant of the Judge in testing the dogs. He must give important observations immediately to the Judge that may affect the latter's decision. He is the Judge's responsibility and must obey the Judge's instructions at all times.
The Decoy working in the trial cannot enter his own dog on the same trial where he is the Decoy.
In order to be certified, he must have passed an oral, written, and practical examination conducted by PUDA. Once certified, he shall be issued a DECOY'S BOOK that shall contain all information about the trial he has worked and authenticated by the Head Judge's signature.
OBJECT TO BE RETRIEVED: The object to be retrieved can be anything that the dog can possibly carry on its mouth, except objects made up of metal and/or glass. It must be of reasonable size and must not exceed 1 kilogram in weight.
OBJECT FOR SCENT DISCRIMINATION: The specified object for the scent discrimination exercise is a plastic PVC pipe or a piece of wood with a minimum diameter of 1/2 inch and a maximum diameter of 1 inch. The length should be between 6 to 12 inches. Both ends of which must be smooth and evenly cut, not sharpened or pointed and must not in any way hurt the dog.
PIECES OF FOOD: The pieces of food for the Anti-Poison Test shall be composed of a combination of cooked and/or raw foods. It can be meat, chicken, bones, fish, biscuits, cooked egg, hotdog, bread, etc. The tidbits of food must be thrown by the Ring Steward as close as possible to the dog's face.
DISTRACTION MATERIALS: Unless otherwise specified in the regulation, the Head Judge can assign a particular material to be used by the Decoy in working the dogs. Same material shall be used for all the dogs in the same exercise for the entire trial. These material must not in any way cause any hazard to the dog.
The distraction materials and the design of the trial field are the Head Judge's discretion and responsibility, and must remain secret to the handlers until the time of trial. It is the Handler's responsibility to train and expose his/her dog to all possible distractions and scenarios that they may possibly encounter in the actual trial.
GENERAL OUTLOOK DEDUCTIONS OR "GO": The GO is a privilege given to the Judge to deduct points based on his/her opinion regarding the dog and handler's execution of each exercise. Points that are discretionary in nature and are not covered by the rules are deducted under the GO provision. Maximum deduction for the GO provision is five (5) points per exercise.
ACCIDENTS AND UNTOWARD INCIDENTS: In the event that the Decoy suffers injury while doing a particular exercise and is deemed unfit to continue, the Judge shall stop the exercise and call for a substitute Decoy. The Head Judge shall decide whether or not it is necessary to repeat or continue the exercise with the new Decoy.
In the event that the Decoy committed a mistake in working the dog, the Judge may opt to repeat the exercise involved if the Decoy's error had caused a difference in rendering a decision.
THE PUDA CERTIFICATION AND THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
In LEVEL 1, the dog must obtain two (2) scores of 150 points out of a possible 180 points in order to be certified as "PS-1"; provided that it does not incur a penalty of 30 points in any one of the protection exercises. In order to qualify for the National Championships, the dog must average at least 160 points in two (2) of its passing scores within the year.
In LEVEL 2, the dog must obtain three (3) scores of 23o points out of a possible 280 points in order to be certified as "PS-2"; provided that it does not incur a penalty of 30 points in any one of the protection exercises. In order to qualify for the National Championships, the dog must average at least 240 points in three (3) of its passing scores within the year.
In LEVEL 3, the dog must obtain three (3) scores of 260 points out of a possible 320 points in order to be certified as "PS-3"; provided that it does not incur a penalty of 30 points in any one of the protection exercises. In order to qualify for the National Championships, the dog must average at least 270 points in three (3) of its passing scores within the year.
A dog that passed a certain level multiple times during the current year has the option to choose its highest passing score to be used as its qualifying score for the National Championships.
FORMULA FOR COMPUTING THE SCORE OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPION
In Level 1, the average of the two (2) highest passing scores for that year must be 160 points or above + the dog's passing score in the Nationals divided by two (2). The highest average gets the award.
In Level 2, the average of the three (3) highest passing scores for that year must be 240 points or above + the dog's passing score in the Nationals divided by three (3). The highest average gets the award.
In Level 3, the average of the three (3) highest passing scores for that year must be 270 points or above + the dog's passing score in the Nationals divided by three (3). The highest average gets the award.
The Handler is allowed to compete his/her dog in the same trial level for as long as he/she wants. However, once entered in a higher level, the dog shall be prohibited to go back and compete on a lower level.
Once the dog achieved the required number of points to pass a certain level, it shall be awarded a Certificate Of Title as follows:
"PS-1" (PUDA Sport Protection Level 1)
"PS-2" (PUDA Sport Protection Level 2)
"PS-3" (PUDA Sport Protection Level 3)
The number of entries in the trial shall be determined taking into consideration the weather at which the dog shall work, the availability of lights to illuminate the trial field, and the time needed to judge the dogs depending on the level being competed. For a more effective judging, it is recommended that all the entries be officiated before the Judges and Decoys gets tired or fatigued.
The exercises in the trial may be drawn in random order. The dog can do an obedience exercise, followed by a protection exercise, then, back to obedience exercise. (Not necessarily in that order)
The Decoys must be out of the dog's sight while the obedience and agility exercises are going on. There shall also be two (2) separate places for the dogs and bitches in the long down exercise.
EXERCISES FOR PUDA SPORT LEVEL 1
Heeling 10pts
Long Down (1 minute) 10pts
Anti-Poison 10pts
Hurdle (0.80m) 10pts
Defense of Handler 30pts
Attack with Gunshots 30pts
Attack with Stick 30pts
Attack with Noise barrage 30pts
Gift Points 20pts
TOTAL POINTS 180pts
In Level 1, dogs are presumably young and new to the pressures of an official trial. That is why, the distraction material held by the decoy are specific (gun, stick, and plastic container). However, the obstructions scattered on the trial field may change and differ on every trial, depending on the design of the Judge.
EXERCISES FOR PUDA SPORT LEVEL 2
Long Down with distraction 12pts
Anti-Poison (6pcs) 12pts
Hurdle (1.0m) 12pts
Search of an object 12pts
Sleeve Bait attack 25pts
Defense of Handler 30pts
Escort with escape 15pts
Attack with distraction-1 30pts
Attack with distraction-2 30pts
TOTAL POINTS 280pts
In Levels 2 & 3, Dogs in this Level are presumably mature and trial tested. That is why, there are no specific distraction materials to be used by the Decoy. Likewise, obstructions in the field that the dog will pass through are limitted within the boundaries of the Judge's creativity and imagination.
EXERCISES FOR PUDA SPORT LEVEL 3
Heeling with muzzle12pts
Long down with distraction 12pts
Hurdle (1.2m) 14pts
Anti-Poison (6pcs) 12pts
3 Positions (5 times) 15pts
Search of an Object12pts
Attack with distraction 30pts
Defense of Handler 30pts
Escort with ecape 15pts
Guard of Object 30pts
Call off attack 30pts
TOTAL POINTS 320pts
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EXERCISES
HEELING. The dog and handler shall walk on a designated course. At every signal from the judge, the handler and the dog shall stop, and go until it reaches the end line. At every halt, the dog must stop at the handler's side. if the dog stops in front, at the back, or far from the handler's side, a penalty shall be deducted.
ANTI-POISON. The handler shall leave the dog on a designated spot. A ring steward will approach and throw tidbits of food. The dog is not allowed to lick or eat the food thrown or it will lose all points.
HURDLE. The dog is required to execute an out-jump and a return-jump. Once the Judge signals the horn to start the exercise, the handler is not allowed to move a step from his/her position. In Levels 2 & 3, the Handler has the option to lower the height of the hurdle that his/her dog shall jump. Only one (1) attempt is allowed for the Hurdle exercise.
LONG DOWN. The handler shall leave the dog at the designated spot for one (1) minute. The clock shall start counting the moment the Handler is concealed at the designated spot. The dog is not allowed to stand or sit until the judge signals the horn two times to end the exercise. The Handler is not allowed to be seen or heard by the dog while the exercise is ongoing.
LONG JUMP. The handler shall leave the dog at any distance in front of the Long Jump obstacle. The handler is allowed to take his/her position at any place around the obstacle. Once positioned, the handler is not allowed to make a step while the dog is executing the jump. The Long Jump exercise do not require a return-jump. The dog shall be given two attempts to jump the obstacle. The one with the higher point equivalent shall be counted as the dog's score.
VERTICAL WALL AND DOG WALK. (Level 2 & 3). The handler shall leave the dog in front of the Vertical wall. At the signal from the judge, the handler shall command the dog to jump over the Vertical Wall going to the Dog Walk. If the dog successfully scaled the Vertical Wall but failed to cross the Dog Walk, only the points in the Vertical Wall shall be awarded. The handler is allowed to walk alongside the dog while crossing the Vertical Wall and the Dog Walk. However, he/she is not allowed to touch the dog and/or the Dog Walk while doing the exerice.
RETRIEVE. The judge shall hand over an object to the handler. At the judge's signal, the handler shall throw the object beyond the 5 meter line. At the next signal from the judge, the handler shall command the dog to retrieve the object. The dog must retrieve the object and return it to its handler standing inside the starting line. If the dog drops the object outside the starting line, the handler may command the dog to retrieve it again until it reaches the starting line. Once the object gets inside the starting line, the handler may take it from the dog's mouth or pick it up from the ground.
THREE POSITION. The handler shall leave the dog at the designated spot and position himself/herself 15 meters away in front of the dog. The initial position shall be the same for all the other dogs competing.Once in position, the judge shall dictate to the handler what command to give. It shall be a combination of the "sit", "down" and "stand" position executed 5 times.
SEND AWAY. At the starting line, the handler shall command his/her dog to ran straight ahead until it reaches the designated spot. The handler shall command the dog to stop and stay once it reached the designated spot. Then, the judge shall signal the handler to command the dog to go back to the starting line.
SEARCH OF OBJECT-SCENT DISCRIMINATION. The judge shall give the handler a piece of pvc pipe or wood. At the signal from the judge, the handler shall allow the dog to smell the object in his hands, then, hide the object at the designated place while leaving the dog at the starting line. Once the object is concealed, the handler shall return to the dog and wait for the judge's signal to start the search. Meanwhile, other similar objects shall be place beside the object which the handler placed. At the signal from the judge, the dog must search and be able to locate and pick up the object with the handler's scen. It must retrieve the object and return it to the handler waiting at the starting line. The handler is not allowed to go out of the starting line while the dog is conducting the search.
DEFENSE OF HANDLER EXERCISE. As per instruction of the Judge, the decoy shall move anywhere close to the handler and the dog, without directly provoking an attack. The dog is not allowed to bite unless the decoy pushes or hit the handler. The Handler is allowed to command the dog in order to control it. Once the Decoy pushes the Handler, the dog must make an attack without being commanded. More than one decoy may be used in the exercise depending on the Judge.
SLEEVE BAIT ATTACK. The handler shall command the dog to attack. Upon entry, the decoy shall present a sleeve for the dog to bite. The dog must ignore the sleeve, or let go of it, and transfer its bite from the sleeve to the decoy within 10 seconds, without any command from the handler.
HOLD AND BARK (WITH ESCORT). The handler shall send out the dog to search for the decoy hiding in a blind. He/she is allowed to command the dog to search as much as he/she wants. Once found, the Handler is no longer allowed to give any command to the dog. The dog is not allowed to bite the Decoy while waiting for the Handler. At the Judge's instruction, the handler shall walk going to the blind where the Decoy is hiding. At the signal from the judge, the Handler shall command the dog to escort. The decoy will attempt to escape 3 times while the dog is doing the escort. On every escape, the handler is NOT allowed to command the dog to attack. As soon as the Decoy steps back for the escape, the Handler is not allowed to move from where he/she is standing. He shall be allowed to move only at the Judge's instruction.
CALL OFF. The handler shall command the dog to attack. Before reaching the decoy, the handler shall command the dog to abort the attack and go back to its handler. If the dog pursue with the attack despite the command, it shall lose all points in the exercise.
OBJECT GUARD. The handler shall hide and leave the dog guarding a specific object at the middle of a circle drawn on the field. The decoy shall approach and attempt to steal the object from the dog, three (3) times. Each attempt is worth 10 points. The dog must attack the decoy on its attempt, and must release its bite before being dragged by the decoy beyond the 5 meter line. It must return to the object and resume guarding. If the Decoy managed to steal the object and walk with it beyond the 5 meter circle without being attacked by the dog, the exercise shall be terminated. No second and third attempt shall follow.
ATTACK WITH DISTRACTIONS. Distractions used on every trial may vary depending on the judge. However, all dogs will have to pass one and the same distraction in the same trial. The dog must attack the decoy despite the distractions. It must bite the decoy for approximately 8 seconds, after which, the judge shall signal the handler to recall the dog back at the starting line.
In all send out attack exercises, unless otherwise specified, the dog shall bite the decoy for approximately eight (8) seconds. After which, the judge shall signal with the horn for the handler to command the dog to release the bite. The dog must release the bite within ten (10) seconds starting from the moment the judge signals the horn for the release. Once the dog released, the dog shall return to the handler at the starting line within twenty (20) seconds, starting from the moment it releases its bite. The handler is allowed one authorized command to attack, to release, and to recall. All authorized command may be followed by three (3) extra commands each, but with a penalty.
