The 2024 Michigan K-9 Challenge
All Breed Protection Dog Tournament
October 12-13, 2024
Goodrich, Michigan
About THE MICHIGAN K-9 CHALLENGE
Levels of Competition
- BEGINNER SLEEVE (Limited Entries)
- BEGINNER SUIT LEVEL
- OPEN (INTERMEDIATE) LEVEL
- CHAMPIONSHIP (ADVANCED) LEVEL (Limited Entries)
- HARDEST HITTING DOG
- FASTEST SEND
- CLUB CHALLENGE CUP
***IMPORTANT***
- Dog and handler teams that have placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Beginner or Beginner Sleeve or a higher level at the Michigan K-9 Challenge CAN NOT compete in Beginner Level in any subsequent years.
- A dog and handler team titled in ANY protection dog sport is NOT a beginner team. This includes any PSA, WDA, IGP, APPDA, Ring etc, certificates and titles earned in bite sports.***
- INTERMEDIATE / OPEN LEVEL is open to ALL dog and handler teams.
- ADVANCED CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL is open to all teams but will have limited entries.
- All levels are full suit except "Beginner - Sleeve"
- Entry fee is $85
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RAFFLE to Support Our Decoys
We will be offering concessions as well as a 50/50 and raffle table, proceeds of which will go to the hardest working group around - The Decoys!
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SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Check in opens 8:30 am
Beginner handler walk-through 9:30
First team on the field at 9:45
CLUB CHALLENGE CUP
- ENTER YOU TEAM ON SITE ON THE SATURDAY OF THE COMPETITION
- This challenge is open to any training group.
- Teams will consist of 2 to 5 dog/handler teams.
- Teams of more than 3 must have one dog competing at each level.
- Teams of 2 may only have one dog/handler team compete at advanced level.
- The team's highest and lowest scores will be added together and the team with the highest overall score goes home with the travelling trophy for the year as well as bragging rights.
$5 fee per team
WINNERS
2011 - CCDSA
2012 - Spartan Dog Sports
2013 - Backwoods K-9
2014 - Backwoods K-9
2015 - Vom Kinhaus
2016 - B2K9
2018 - Lakefront K-9
2019 - Lakefront K-9
2020 - Backwoods K-9
2021 - CCDSA
2022 - B2K9
2023 - K-9 Life
Michigan K-9 Challenge Tournament Rules
• The Michigan K-9 Challenge is an event geared toward all dog trainers and handlers, regardless of breed and discipline in which you might normally participate with your dog.
• There will be three levels of competition. BEGINNER and BEGINNER Sleeve, OPEN, and Championship. Please make sure that you are entering the appropriate level of competition. ***A dog and handler team titled in ANY protection dog sport is NOT a beginner team. This includes any PSA, WDA, IPO, APPDA, certificates and titles earned in bite sports.***
• Competitors do not have to be members of any organization.
• Entries are open to all breeds, including mixed breed dogs.
• You may enter as many classes as you wish as well as run as many dogs as you wish.
• All work in the BEGINNER level is ON LEASH, including the obedience.
• OPEN and CHAMPIONSHIP levels will be off leash. The OPEN and CHAMPIONSHIP obedience will contain different distractions.
• The CHAMPIONSHIP level of competition is sequestered.
• Collars allowed: Pinch/prong, choke, flat, fur saver, or harness. No E-Collars.
• Decoy distraction will increase at each level. For example, at the BEGINNER level, the decoys will be in sight of the dog, sitting, standing, or walking around. In the OPEN class the decoys will be more vocal, talking or slightly arguing with each other and the handler. There will be more movement such as running past or up to the dog - handler team. In the CHAMPIONSHIP class the decoys will be yelling at each other and the handler and will be much more aggressive and they will be moving around more.
• Judging will be based on the efficiency of the dog. Penalties will be given for extra commands, corrections, tight leash, forging, lagging, wide heeling, etc.
• The protection portion will be judged with points given or lost based on accuracy, control, willingness to engage, and to out on command.
• All decoys will be wearing a full body suit except in BEGINNER Sleeve. There will be no penalty for dogs that bite arms, or legs. Bites will not be "fed" to the dog, and the decoy will not "freeze" on the outs, except for the BEGINNER level.
• Gun fire blanks (22 caliber) may be utilized.
• Scenarios: Backwoods K-9 members will not know the scenarios until day of the trial. The scenarios will be known only to the trial directors until the day of the trial.
• Anyone displaying abuse to their dog or displaying unsportsmanlike conduct will be disqualified and banned from competing.
• Dogs MUST be on a leash at all times while on the property unless actively competing in the ring.
• The same dog can only win awards or trophies in 2 highest consecutive levels entered. For example: You can enter all three levels but can only place in OPEN and CHAMPIONSHIP. Or, You may enter BEGINNER and CHAMPIONSHIP but can only place in CHAMPIONSHIP.
• Dogs that place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in BEGINNER level MUST move up to the next higher level the following year.
Obedience and Protection Requirements
Beginner Level and Beginner Sleeve Level
A dog and handler team titled in ANY protection dog sport is NOT a beginner team. This includes but is not limited to PSA, WDA, IPO, APPDA, certificates, and titles earned in bite sports.
• This is an on leash level
• Sit
• Down
• Stay
• Heel
• Short recall 10ft, a long line will be provided.
• Friendly greeting of a helper.
• Civil agitation
• Handler defense
• Short on leash send
• Dog must Out- all levels
• Decoys will freeze for out
• Sleeve available per request
• If a decoy physically attacks, throws a prop, or points or shoots a gun, this is the cue to send your dog.
OPEN (Intermediate) Level
Open to ALL dog and handler teams
• Off leash
• Heel
• Down - may be done at distance - may be done on object.
• Stay - dog may receive light decoy distraction.
• Recall at more distance - dog may have to recall past a decoy, sleeve, or ball.
• Dog will receive light distractions from decoys.
• Friendly greeting of a helper.
• Civil agitation
• Handler defense
• Send
• Call off
• Dog will be receive light pressure from the helper
• Decoys will move through the out
• If a decoy physically attacks, throws a prop, or points or shoots a gun, this is the cue to send your dog.
• If the helper throws his hands up and yells "I GIVE UP" you must call your dog off. At this point, the decoy is no longer combative.
CHAMPIONSHIP (Advanced) Level
The following are general guidelines but variations may/will occur. Always be aware!
• Sequestered
• Off leash
• Recall with a down in marked area may be required.
• Sit - may be done at distance - may be done on object.
• All obedience requirements from lower levels may be used.
• Decoys will be more distracting.
• Friendly greeting of a helper.
• Civil agitation
• Handler defense
• Send
• Call off
• Redirect
• Dog will receive pressure and decoys may use objects against dog (ie. milk jugs, etc)
• Decoys will fight a bit during out
• If a decoy physically attacks, throws a prop, or points or shoots a gun, this is the cue to send your dog.
• If the helper throws his hands up and yells "I GIVE UP" you must call your dog off. At this point, the decoy is no longer combative.
• There will be clues.