08/17/2024
NACSW just sent this out to membership and posted to NACSW/K9 Nose Work Instructor Forum:
NACSW has seen tremendous growth in K9 Nose work trials, ORTs and other events since its inception in 2009. As the premier scent work organization, we have developed a unique and appealing format for competitive scent detection. We are inspired and amazed by the culture of support, enthusiasm and professionalism by all those who have been involved, from our NACSW staff to the hosts, volunteers and competitors.
We take enormous pride in the care and consideration given for the overall well-being and experience of the dog. That care and consideration extends to the experience of all participants in our events. Many people contribute their time and energy to NACSW in order to provide these enriching experiences and we want to see that support and dedication continue. Unfortunately, we are starting to see an increase in unsportsmanlike conduct at NACSW events which is negatively affecting the experience for people and dogs. The NACSW does not condone unsportsmanlike conduct at any NACSW event.
Therefore, as an organization, we will be taking a firmer stance in how we respond to unsportsmanlike conduct which may result in disciplinary action.
Any reported instance of unsportsmanlike conduct in association with the event will result in an incident report to be reviewed by the trial disciplinary committee. Additionally, score sheets will include a check box for unsportsmanlike conduct that happens during a search and will result in a fault.
Unsportsmanlike conduct: not characteristic of or exhibiting good sportsmanship; not sportsmanlike
Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to:
● Verbal and/or physical abuse towards people or dogs
● Derogatory remarks or gestures
● Profanity
● Inciting or engaging in disruptive behavior
● Showing disrespect to officials, teammates, volunteers and staff
● Flagrant disregard for event and/or site rules
● Harsh treatment of dogs
Below are some examples of unsportsmanlike behaviors by competitors that have been happening at NACSW trials. These experiences have negatively impacted the good will of hosts, volunteers and participants:
● Yelling at/insulting/chasing other competitors, volunteers, officials, hosts
● Being rude to a trial site employee
● Arguing over score sheet results
● Harsh treatments of dogs
● Excessive and continuous nuisance barking by entered and non-entered dogs in the parking lot or staging areas (in one case, neighbors actually called the police to complain about the barking, and the host could have lost the trial site for future events!)
● Putting hides on a competitor vehicle in parking lot to practice before a search
● Walking dog in off-limit areas on trial site (on or off leash).
● Eliminating in inappropriate areas (other competitor vehicles, building corners, designated no-pee areas and objects)
● Holding up a sign with profanity content in front of the trial site (school) at the awards ceremony
● Talking about searches with other people in the parking lot (incl. hides found and locations) where others can overhear them (this undermines the integrity of the searches by sharing key details and interferes with other participants’ searches)
● Refusing to confine dog when requested
NACSW includes language in the rule book regarding unsportsmanlike conduct (p. 5 and 6):
“Sportsman-like behavior is expected from all attendees, towards each other, and towards the judges, volunteers, and trial organizers. NACSW rules are in effect during the entire trial or ORT from the time you arrive until the time you leave the trial grounds at the end of the trial day. All attendees are expected to follow the officials’ instructions and show respect to the officials and their decisions. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.”
“The just causes for which a Dismissal may be issued to a person on the trial grounds include, but are not limited to:
● Abuse towards another person or dog.
● Unsportsmanlike conduct including but not limited to disrespectful treatment of volunteers, officials, or fellow competitors and intentional disclosure/knowledge of the hide locations prior to the competitor completing the search.
● Acting in a manner that could endanger another person or dog, including not having control of their dog(s).
● Dog(s) acting in a manner that could endanger another person or dog.
● Acting in a manner that could cause the loss of an event site or hotel including pretrial visits to or contact with the location, and excessive/sustained vocalization in the parking and/or crating areas.
● Not following NACSW rules or event rules set forth in the premium.”
We are grateful that the activity and sport of nose work has grown and expanded so much over the years. Please help us promote good sportsmanship and an enjoyable experience for all participants, both human and canine. We hope that this notice establishes the seriousness of the situation, and that disciplinary action will not be needed. Kindness to one another and our dogs should be first and foremost.
For any questions about NACSW trials, please visit our website https://nacsw.net/ or email [email protected]
For questions about the K9 Nose Work® Education Division, please visit our website at https://k9nosework.com/, or email [email protected]
Amy Herot and Jill Marie O’Brien
Co-founders of K9 Nose Work® and National Association of Canine Scent Work®
The NACSW Education Division's Instructor Certification Program was developed to ensure a standard and quality of instruction that adhered to the founders’ original concepts of training that relied on dogs’ instinctual independent hunting and puzzle solving skills. Today there are instructors in...
