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General

The CKC Canine Personal Protection is designed to evaluate the natural and learned abilities to protect and defend it’s master. It is not a showcase for aggressive dogs or an avenue for people to display dogs not normally allowed in public. For this reason, CKC does not allow aggressive and dangerous dogs to participate in Protection, or any other CKC sanctioned events. Dogs that are considered to be a danger or show excessive fearfulness or unprovoked civilness will be excused from the premises.

The general rules for competition apply to all CKC Events. Please refer to separate publications for more details.

As a prerequisite, a dog must have completed Novice Level 2 Obedience and Agility before entering Novice Protection Level 1. All dogs must complete Novice Level 3 Obedience and Agility prior to competing in Novice Protection Level 3.

All collars and leads to be used must be presented to the judge during the handler’s meeting for inspection. The general guidelines for collars are a leather or nylon buckle collar 1-2” in width, and in good condition. The decision of the judge to allow or not to allow a collar or lead is final.

Novice Protection Dog

The CKC Novice Protection Title is designed to evaluate the dog’s natural abilities as well as the trained skills to advance to further protection training.

There is a total of 50 points available for each level. A minimum of 40 points is needed to pass each level.

Any dog that can not be controlled by it’s handler or any dog that exhibits aggression or appears to be a danger to it’s handler or others will not be allowed to compete.

One passing score is needed in each of the Novice Protection levels to advance to the next level. A dog may continue to compete in Novice Protection Level 3 to gain experience for six months after passing the Novice Protection Level 3 title. To achieve a title in CKC Personal Protection, the dog must pass all three of the novice levels in sequence.

I. Novice Level 1

All exercises in Level 1 will be done on lead, either a 6’ agitation lead or a 15’ long line, with a 1” or 2” wide agitation collar with a metal buckle. If a dog is trained to bite legs, the decoy must be informed prior to the start of this exercise.

Each exercise will be worth 10 points. Each of the first four exercises must be passed with at least 6 points.

• Exercise 1 – The Alert
  • The dog will alert (preferably a bark) to a decoy when commanded by the handler.
  • The decoy will wear a sleeve (arm or leg) and carry a stick, not longer than his arm.
  • The decoy will act in a threatening manner at a distance of not closer than 10’.
  • This exercise will be done using a 6’ agitation lead.
• Exercise 2 – The Bite
  • This is a continuation of exercise #1.
  • Once the dog alerts, the decoy will move straight towards the handler.
  • The dog must engage the decoy before the decoy gets close enough to touch the handler with it’s hand.
  • Once the dog engages the decoy, the decoy will stop and give a 5 second fight, then retreat straight backwards, slipping the sleeve.
• Exercise 3 – The Long Attack
  • This exercise will use a 15’ long line with a collar.
  • This exercise begins with the decoy in a hiding place at least 10 yards away.
  • The decoy will make himself visible to the dog and handler, and move towards the team in a threatening manner.
  • When the decoy is within the length of the long line, the handler will send the dog to engage the decoy.
• Exercise 4 – The Out
  • This is a continuation of Exercise #3
  • After a 10 second struggle, the judge will order the handler to out his dog.
  • The handler may use multiple types of commands such as whistle, voice or hand commands. The handler may grab the collar, or lift the dog up, but may not use other means of physical force to get the dog off the decoy.
  • The handler has 20 seconds to get his dog to out.
• Exercise 5 – General Appearance
  • The judge may award up to 10 points for general appearance.
  • This will consist of the control the handler exhibits, the enthusiasm the dog exhibits and the way the two work as a team.

II. Novice Level 2

All exercises in Level 2 will be done on a 15’ nylon long line, with a 1” or 2” wide agitation collar with a metal buckle. If a dog is trained to bite legs, the decoy must be informed prior to the start of this exercise.

Each exercise will be worth 10 points. Each of the first four exercises must be passed with at least 6 points.

In the event the dog fails either of the first two exercises, the dog will not be allowed to continue with the remainder of the exercises.

• Exercise 1 – Send to Attack with an “Out” On Lead
  • The dog will be on a 15’ long line. The dog must be under the control of the handler.
  • On order from the judge the decoy will appear and make threatening postures towards the handler. When the decoy advances to a point within the reach of the lead, the judge will signal the handler to send his dog.
  • The dog must engage the decoy.
  • On order from the judge, the handler will give the command to “Out” the dog. The decoy will continue to be mildly active until the dog releases.
  • The handler is allowed to give three commands, all must be given the exact same manner, i.e. whistle, voice, etc..
  • The handler shall not touch the dog or make any gestures that may cause the dog to out.
  • If the dog does not out by three commands, the exercise is finished and the dog shall not be allowed to continue.
• Exercise 2 – Send to Attack with an “Out” On Lead
  • This exercise is the same as Exercise #1
• Exercise 3 – Send to Attack with an “Out” Dropped Lead
  • This exercise is done on a 15’ long line.
  • The decoy, wearing a sleeve and armed with a stick, will begin working at about 10 yards from the handler.
  • On order from the judge, the handler will send the dog to the decoy.
  • Once the handler is certain the dog is headed to the decoy, the handler should drop the line and follow close enough to grab the line if needed.
  • The handler, standing at least 10 feet from the dog, will, on order from the judge, out the dog. The decoy will continue to mildly work until the dog releases the bite.
  • The dog must out when ordered. The handler is allowed three commands to perform the out. If the dog does not out, the exercise is finished and the dog shall not be permitted to continue the exercise.
  • Once the dog outs, the handler will retrieve the lead and heel his dog to a specified spot.
• Exercise 4 – Send to Attack with an Out and a Recall
  • This exercise is done on a 15’ long line.
  • The decoy, wearing a sleeve and armed with a stick, will begin working at about 10 yards from the handler.
  • On order from the judge, the handler will send the dog to the decoy.
  • Once the handler is certain the dog is headed to the decoy, the handler should drop the line and follow close enough to grab the line if needed.
  • The handler, standing at least 10 feet from the dog, will, on order from the judge, out the dog. The decoy will continue to mildly work until the dog releases the bite.
  • The dog must out when ordered. The handler is allowed three commands to perform the out. If the dog does not out, the exercise is finished and the dog shall not be permitted to continue the exercise.
  • Once the dog outs, the handler will retrieve the lead.
  • Standing at least 10 feet from the dog, the handler will recall the dog. Mild encouragement using the lead is allowed.
  • Once the dog returns, the handler will heel his dog to a specified spot.
• Exercise 5 – General Appearance
  • The judge may award up to 10 points for general appearance.
  • This will consist of the control the handler exhibits, the enthusiasm the dog exhibits and the way the two work as a team.

III. Novice Level 3

Exercises 1-3 in Level 3 will be done off lead, with a 1” or 2” wide leather agitation collar with a metal buckle. The handler will have a lead on his person to be used only if needed. The lead may be in his pocket, around his waist, or over his shoulder, as long as, in the judge’s opinion, it does not interfere with the conduct of the exercise. If a dog is trained to bite legs, the decoy must be informed prior to the start of this exercise.

Each exercise will be worth 10 points. Each of the first four exercises must be passed with at least 6 points.

The Decoy will wear a full body suit for this exercise.

All exercises will begin with the dog at the handler’s side in either a sit or a down position.

• Exercise 1 – Frontal Attack
  • The Decoy will appear from a hidden position approximately 10 yards from the handler and will move towards the team in a threatening manner, with his arms out away from his sides.
  • On order from the judge, the handler will send the dog to engage the decoy.
  • The dog will engage the decoy.
  • After a short fight, the judge will signal for an out. The handler must signal his dog to out and return to the handler.
  • Only 3 out commands are permitted before the test is terminated.
  • Additional recall commands may be used within reason.
• Exercise 2 – Fleeing Attack
  • The decoy will appear from a hidden position approximately 10 yards from the handler and will move towards the team in a threatening manner, with his arms out away from his sides.
  • When the decoy gets approximately 5 yards away from the team, the decoy will turn and run slowly away with his arms held away from his body.
  • On order from the judge, the handler will send the dog to engage the decoy.
  • The dog will engage the decoy.
  • After a short fight, the judge will signal for an out. The handler must signal his dog to out and return to the handler.
  • Only 3 out commands are permitted before the test is terminated.
  • Additional recall commands may be used within reason.
  • When the dog returns, the handler will attach the lead to the dog and command the dog into a heel position.
• Exercise 3 – Attack from a Hidden Position
  • This exercise is a continuation of exercise # 2.
  • The Handler and the dog will proceed towards a crowd of people (at least 3 people, wearing normal street attire).
  • While on the way to the crowd, the handler will be aggressed by a decoy from a hidden position. This position should be something other than a traditional “Schutzhund Style” blind. A tree, a vehicle or other similar hiding places are recommended.
  • The dog should engage the decoy.
  • On signal from the judge, the handler will out and recall his dog.
  • The team will resume heeling towards the crowd of people.
• Exercise 4 – Walk through a Crowd
  • This exercise is a continuation of exercise # 3.
  • The Handler and the dog will proceed into a crowd of people (at least 3 people, wearing normal street attire).
  • These people will be standing, walking around, talking and acting in a non-threatening manner towards the dog. There will always be a safe distance between the dog and the people.
  • The dog can in no way show signs of aggression towards any crowd members.
• Exercise 5 – General Appearance
  • The judge may award up to 10 points for general appearance.
  • This will consist of the control the handler exhibits, the enthusiasm the dog exhibits and the way the two work as a team.

CKC offers 4 Personal Protection titles, Novice, which has 3 levels, Intermediate, Advanced, and Masters. These titles must be obtained in sequence, beginning with Novice level 1 and proceeding through Masters. The Intermediate, Advance and Masters program must be completed three times with a passing score to earn the title.

Judges must be approved by CKC prior to judging any protection event. To become a CKC Personal Protection Licensed Judge, a person must:

• Have titled a dog to the Master Level in CKC Protection.
• Have obtained a license to judge personal protection events with other organizations, such as KNPV, NVBK-America, NVBK-Belgium, A French Ring Organization, or Schutzhund organization
• Titled numerous dogs to the highest level in the above listed sports
• Have a minimum of 10 years experience training dogs for personal protection
• CKC Judges who are licensed to judge other CKC performance events such as Obedience, Agility, Tracking, and Weight Pulling may apprentice under a certified protection judge.
• All Judges will take and pass a written test on the rules and regulations of CKC Protection
• All Decoys must be certified in accordance with current CKC Rules & Regulations.

For information on competing or hosting events contact

CKC Events Department at 1-888-CKC– 8042 or visit us at WWW.CKCUSA.COM

Continental Kennel Club, Inc. reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.

© 2006 Continental Kennel Club, Inc. All rights reserved.

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