It is easy for a new apprentice to become so focused on finding the hide that they miss everything else happening during the run.

A NASDA judge must observe the dog, the handler, and the search area simultaneously.

While watching a run, consider:

The Dog

Is the dog actively searching?

How does the dog’s behavior change when it encounters odor?

Does the dog leave the search area or become distracted?

How does the dog respond to handler direction?

The Handler

Is the handler allowing the dog to work independently?

Are additional cues being given?

Is leash pressure influencing the search?

Does the handler interrupt the dog while it is working odor?

Is the handler safely and appropriately managing the dog?

The Search Area

Has anything been moved or disrupted?

Is equipment being disturbed?

Has the search environment changed during the run?

Are there circumstances that may affect safety or the integrity of the search?

A judge cannot wait until the end of the run and reconstruct everything that happened. Learning to observe these things while simultaneously timing and evaluating the search is an important judging skill.