National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®

Official NACSW™ 

 

ODOR RECOGNITION TESTS

 

Odors Tested:

Birch, Anise, Clove

 

Date:

Saturday, May 29, 2021

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TEST LOCATION:

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #1, 2988 Winewood Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215

 

Test Host:

Suzanne Orange
Sprout and Penny Canine Foundation

 

Test Secretary:

Suzanne Orange

 

Certifying Official:

Corrine Dreyfus

 

Judge:

Cindy Roberts

 

Entry Cost:

$40.00 per dog per odor

 

Number of Entries

100

 

Second Dog Policy

Two runs per odor will be offered giving handlers with two dogs the ability to test both dogs.

 

Opening Date

March 15, 2021 at 12:00 pm Central

 

Entries Closes

May 17, 2021 at 12:00 pm Central or when entry limits have been met.

 

 

NACSW is requiring that all attendees adhere to social distancing - maintaining 6 feet of distance - at all trials until further notice even if your jurisdiction has relaxed their requirements or recommendations. Social Distancing requirements at an event are MANDATORY. There is no option to mutually consent to be closer together than 6’. Please be respectful that your proximity or request for proximity may make others uncomfortable. Please review the document COVID-19 Event Guidelines that is located in Google docs and was emailed to the membership on 5/8/2020.

 

In addition to those guidelines the following changes and guidelines are in effect for this trial due to COVID-19.

 

All attendees (participants and volunteers) will be required to bring and wear face masks in the search. 
Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles as much as possible. Running of vehicles is permitted.
Participants are asked to bring their own hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.  

If there are any changes or updates that information will be included in your final details information that will be emailed 1-2 weeks before the ORT weekend. 

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Entry Method

Online Entries beginning March 15, 2021 at 12:00 pm Central

 

Entries

• Telephone, Email, Unsigned Entries, and Entries received without payment fees cannot be accepted.

• Declined Credit/Debit Cards do not constitute a valid entry fee.

• ENTRIES will be accepted online only at

• No Entry Shall Be Made and No Entry Shall Be Accepted, Which Specifies Any Conditions As To Its Acceptance.  

• OWNERS are responsible for errors in making out entry forms.

 

Notification

Acknowledgement of entry acceptance/confirmation, will be made by email when entries are processed. Your payment receipt and notification is confirmation of your completed entry.

 

Test Site Hours

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Details regarding check in time and briefing will be sent approximately 1 week before the ORT.

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Entry Requirements

A Qualified Entry is one that meets all the following criteria:

 

1. Complete entry during the specified entry timeframe.

2. The Handler is a NACSW™ member for the 2020-2021 membership year (8/1/20- 7/31/21).

3. The Dog is registered with the NACSW™.

4. Dogs participating in an Odor Recognition Test (ORT) must be at least six months of age.

 

For information on how to register or become a member go to

 

 

Trial Eligibility and ORTs

An ORT must be taken and passed at least 14 days before a trial opening date to be eligible for the first draw period.

 

Basic Description of Test

To successfully pass an ORT a dog must identify the location of the target odor and the handler must correctly call an “alert” within a three-minute time period. The Odor Recognition Test consists of a drill type exercise which requires 12 closed boxes set up in a pattern of one or two rows, spaced a minimum of 48” apart. The ORT is conducted on leash. Complete information can be obtained on the NACSW™ website.

 

All exhibitors should obtain and review a copy of the NACSW™K9 NOSE WORK® RULE BOOK. You may get it from their website: 

No dog will be given more than one space in the same odor test at a single event.

 

Results

During the odor re-sets, the official results sheet will be brought out to the parking area for testers to photo or review. We recommend you verify your results on the official results sheet and let your host or judge know if you have any questions regarding your results. 

 

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Refunds will be given for cancellation of entries, minus a $5 processing fee per entry, if the Test Secretary is notified by email at by Wednesday, May 19 at 12 pm CT.

 

No refunds will be given after May 19 at 12 pm CT.

 

Entry Fees shall not be refunded in the event that a dog is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW™ official or judge.

 

This cancellation and refund policy applies to competitors that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

 

If the Odor Recognition Test (ORT) cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the ORT organizers, then the ORT host will make their best effort to provide partial refunds after recouping their expenses.      

 

All cancellations must be emailed to

 

Test Location

Site Specific Conditions:

The ORT Location is in a one floor building with a large meeting room/event room. The flooring in the ORT test room is wooden laminate flooring. The parking lot near the building is paved. Additional/Reactive parking will be in parking lots of adjoining businesses. To traverse from the additional and reactive parking areas, competitors may have to cross uneven terrain with gravel, grass, or a combination of both grass and gravel. Competitors with their state issued valid handicapped parking decals, placards, hang tags, or license plates will have priority parking in the main parking lot upon request.
 

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, the expected test area, parking, and/or pathways may be modified at the last minute.

 

Reactive Dog Parking:

There will be reactive dog parking at this test. For those who wish to park in this area, there will not be separate potty areas or warm up boxes. 
 

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

 

Uneutered Dogs:

Unentered dogs must remain in the competitor’s vehicle during the test day. There will be ample potty areas, but unentered dogs should not be allowed to “play”, exercise, or train on the test grounds.  

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RV Parking:

There is space for RVs to park in the competitor parking area during the test day. To reserve a space, you will need to contact the host after you receive a confirmation that you have received a space in the ORT. Email to reserve RV space. No overnight RV parking is available.
 

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

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Running Vehicles or Generators in the Parking Lot:

There is ample parking and we will have a separate parking area for those wishing to run their vehicles or generators during the day.
 

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, this policy may be modified at the last minute.

 

 

Dog Policies

• All dogs must be on a 6’ leash at all times when not being tested. NO flexi-leashes while not participating in a test.

• Reactive and/or spatially challenged dogs should wear a red bandana (to be provided by the dog’s handler) to help signal others that the dog needs extra space from other dogs.

• Dogs will be toileted in designated areas and handlers must pick-up and dispose of waste.

• Dogs and handlers must stay in designated areas to avoid contaminating testing space, interrupting a test, or from viewing any part of the testing.

• Competitors should expect to keep their dogs confined in a crate or vehicle when not testing and should plan to provide their own shade using canopies or shade cloths.   

 

Females in Season

Female in season be allowed to run wearing “pants” at the very end of the running orders after all other dogs have been judged. Females in season will be parked and pottied in areas separate from the other dogs while at the test if the location logistics permit. Handlers must contact so plans can be made for the dog.

 

ADA Requests

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request accommodation(s), please email ADA@nacsw.net.  Please include your name, ORT date, ORT host name, and your requested accommodation(s).

 

Spectators

To minimize the number of people on site, anyone not volunteering, competing, or officiating should stay home except in the case where someone requires support to travel to the event. Spectating is currently not allowed. An adult accompanying a minor must be present during the searches. Everyone at the trial site must sign the waiver provided by the host and comply with all event requirements.

 

Smoking

Smoking is allowed on this test site but only in designated smoking areas.

 

Hotels

Hotels in the Fultondale (La Quinta), Gardendale, Hoover, and Homewood areas are within easy driving distance to the ORT site.

 

Veterinarians

Steel City Emergency Vet

1900 Hoover Ct, Hoover, AL 35226

 

Rules

Complete rules are available at . It is the responsibility of each competitor to read and understand the current NACSW™ Rule book prior to participating in a NACSW™ event.

 

Liability

By registering for the ORT Test, the competitor hereby assumes all risks of, and responsibility for, accidents and/or damage to her/himself or to her/his property or to others, resulting from the actions of her/his dog. The competitor expressly agree that the NACSW™, Suzanne Orange, Sprout and Penny Canine Foundation, The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #1, and its assignees or any other person, or persons, of said groups, shall not be held liable personally, or collectively, under any circumstances, for injury, and/or damage to her/himself, for loss or injury to property, whether due to uncontrolled dogs or negligence of any member of said groups, or any other cause, or causes. The competitor also agrees to assume all financial liability that may be incurred by the NACSW™ due to the actions of themselves or their dogs regardless of the cause.

 

Sportsmanship

All competitors/handlers and spectators are expected to follow the rules of the NACSW™ and demonstrate good sportsmanship. This includes making sure the hide placements are unknown to the handler prior to testing and kept secret from other competitors. Please do not discuss hide placement or any details of a dog's performance that may provide information or clues to other handlers or may be overheard.

 

Questions

For all ORT related questions contact Suzanne Orange suzannespetcare@aol.com.