Every issue we ask our GSSCC Head Judge Jim Crisp to give us some insights how he judges an IGP exercise. These insights will help our readers to focus on all aspects of the exercise that can lead to point loss.
The last and arguably most spectacular exercise of the Obedience routine is the Send Away with Down. For the handler it is also one of the most nerve wrecking exercises. Seeing your dog running away at high-speed wondering: Will she or won’t she down?
A correctly executed Send Away looks like this:
The FCI International Utility Dogs Regulations (IGP) 2019 describe the exercise as follows:
On the single command "go out"; and the raise of the arm, the dog handler (HF) sends his dog out and stands still. Then the dog has to go a minimum of at least 30 paces in the direction shown, straight forward, and in fast pace. At the direction of the judge, the dog handler gives the command for the dog to down, which the dog has to down immediately. The dog handler is allowed to hold the arm up in the direction of the exercise until the dog has downed. At the direction of the judge, the dog handler goes to
his dog and stands right next to him. At the instruction of the judge, the handler gives the command for the dog to sit. The dog must sit quickly and straight in the basic position.
Although the above FCI Regulations give some broad guidelines where points can be lost, there are many more ways to lose points in this exercise. The maximum number of points for this exercise is 10, split equally before the first Down command and thereafter. We asked GSSCC Head Judge Jim Crisp to give an insight how he judges this exercise. Here is his response:
Up until the first Down Command (5 points can be earned):
The basic position must be straight and attentive, as well as the buildup. Inattentive, lagging, forging, crooked, and leaking is faulty and can result in a drop to low excellent or to very good (-0.25 to -0.5).
If the dog anticipates and leaves before the command “go out”, it is -1.
The send away must be straight and fast. If not, it is -0.5 to -1.
If the dog does not leave the handler after 3 commands, or does not go at least 30 paces out, no points are awarded for this exercise.
Following after the first Down Command (the other 5 points can be earned):
If the dog stops on first command, but downs slowly, it is -0.5.
If the dog stops on first command, but requires a second down command, it is -1.5.
If the dog requires a third command, it is -2.5. If it stops on the first commands, but never downs after 3 commands, it is -3.5.
If the dog stops on second command and downs, it is -2.5.
If the dog stops and downs on the third command, it is -3.5.
If the dog doesn't stop after three commands, it is -10.
If the dog breaks the down, and can be stopped before halfway back to handler, it is up to -5 (if the three commands to down haven't been used already).
The dog should sit quickly and straight on pick up. If not, it -0.25 to -0.5.
K9Force (2023, August). Send Away with Down. https://publuu.com/flip-book/199364/495765/page/8
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