Selecting a Venue for Urban Locating Trials

Urban Locating simulates hunting in areas developed by humans, providing dogs with opportunities to showcase their abilities in dynamic and realistic environments. A broad range of developed areas can serve as Urban Locating search spaces, including:

Examples of Suitable Urban Locating Areas

  • Classrooms
  • Playgrounds
  • Warehouses
  • Barns and outbuildings
  • Areas containing livestock (safely contained)
  • Arenas
  • Training facilities
  • Garden nurseries
  • Picnic areas / courtyards
  • Alleys / trash sites

Key Considerations When Selecting a Venue

  1. Type of Venue:

    • May include indoor, outdoor, or mixed-use areas to create diverse challenges.

  2. Search Area Features:

    • Look for natural hiding spaces suitable for quarry placement.
    • Ensure there are sufficient naturally occurring distractions to simulate real-world conditions.

  3. Safety:

    • Identify and address potential hazards, such as sharp objects, unstable structures, or toxic substances.
    • Avoid live or baited traps for pests, as these pose risks to dogs and handlers.

  4. Proximity of Search Areas:

    • Ensure search areas are spaced far enough apart to avoid distractions between teams while maintaining efficient trial flow.

  5. Use of Livestock:

    • Safely contained livestock is permitted, provided it complies with NASDA rules and does not present undue risk or distraction.

Important Rules for Urban Locating Areas

  • “As Is” Setup: Urban locating areas must not be staged. Trials must utilize the venue exactly as it exists.
    • Example of a Staged Area: An intentionally set up search area with artificial or manipulated elements designed solely for trial purposes is not allowed.