Wendell Nope Police K-9 Pages
VSK Rules
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The VSK is designed to provide an exhibition of Government Working Dogs performing their official functions, simulating reality as much as possible within the
constraints of a stadium environment. The intent is that citizens get a chance to observe the K-9's in action, yet in an entertaining manner.
Only bona fide government personnel with officially-assigned dogs may participate. As a courtesy to, and to honor their past service, retired K-9 personnel/dogs may also compete.
International VSK Rules
Prepared by Wendell Nope, 5 February 2007
The VSK (Vielseitigkeit Pruefung) is an actual government certification that declares the competency of a police service dog in the disciplines demonstrated. The VSK may be utilized as a competition and the VSK Title may be awarded to each competitor completing the event with an 80% score. Places may be awarded as follows.
First Place = Overall highest points
Second Place = Second highest points
Third Place = Third highest points
Fastest Officer = Fastest time on the 400m run
Fastest Dog = Fastest time on the pursuit (marked 50 yards)
The following is a text version of the VSK Trial Regulations for this event.
- The Handler/Dog start on the track at the 50-yard line and run together (Heel Position) once around the track (400 meters).
- The Handler/Dog enter onto the field at a designated point and jog to the first of several obstacles placed between midfield and the goal-line.
- The Dog is commanded to negotiate a one meter hurdle and return to the Heel position as the Handler jogs to the next obstacle.
- The Dog is commanded to negotiate an A-Frame obstacle and return to the Heel position as the Handler jogs to next obstacle.
- The Dog is commanded to negotiate a crawling obstacle (tube, etc.) return to the Heel position as the Handler jogs to the goal-line.
- The Handler/Dog assume a position in a simulated Tactical Team (SWAT-Type uniforms/gear) just in front of the Rear-Guard, on signal from the Team Leader, the Team advances to a position of cover (SchH Blind).
- The Team Leader gives a hand-signal for the Handler/Dog to move forward to the front, the Handler/Dog then move up beside the Team Leader and kneel, a simulated suspect (Helper in bitesuit) then appears from the middle Blind, fires several shots, drops the weapon, and flees to midfield.
- The Handler deploys the Dog, the Dog pursues (50 meters measured distance) and engages, the Handler/Team follow at a proper pace with weapons in targeted position, the Dog's time over the 50 meters is determined by stopwatch.
- While the Dog is engaging, the Tactical Team & Handler approach and cover the suspect (this is a deviation from standard police protocol, but is done for the sake of public demonstration only).
- The Handler calls Dog back to the Heel position, ending the scenario.
- Once the Dog is in the Heel position, the Handler/Dog leave the Tactical Team and Heel together to a designated point in front of grandstand, salute the crowd, and await the score (also to receive applause from spectators).
Judging will be configured as follows.
- 400 meter sprint treated as a Heeling exercise = 15 pts
- One meter jump = 5 pts
- Climbing wall = 5 pts
- Crawl = 5 pts
- Tactical Advance, including reposition to front of Team = 20 pts
- Pursuit & engage = 25 pts
- Verbal Release & Finish = 25 pts
- Total = 100 pts
- NOTE: A Dog must be neutral to Tactical Teams to pass
- NOTE: A Dog must release its grip by the third command to pass
- NOTE: A Dog must pass #10 to receive a place or award
- VSK Titles may be entered into Handler/Dog Scorebooks. Certificates with VSK Title may be issued to Handler/Dog w/o Scorebooks.
Minimum logistics for the above proposal are as follows:
- Competitor numbers, (Same as Sport Dog Trial);
- Stopwatch for 400m Handler sprint and 50m Dog sprint;
- One meter hurdle (same as SchH Trial);
- A-Frame (same as SchH Trial);
- Crawl obstacle (tube, etc.);
- 3-4 officers in Tactical gear (goal line);
- Helper (Bite-Suit or SchH protective gear);
- Blank-gun and blank ammunition;
- Bio on each Handler/Dog to be read during the 400 meter sprint;
- Narrator familiar with police functions to describe the different exercises in the
scenario and their functionality;
- EMS (same as Sport Dog Trial)
- Support personnel for obstacle setup/takedown, etc.
This competition provides non-stop action for a period of approximately three minutes, at which time a new competitor may be announced. With this time frame, flights of Government Dogs can be time-calculated between flights of Sport Dog competitors, with minimal setup and takedown time.
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