Pravidlá Dog Pulleru
Unified Statute of the International DOG PULLER Federation

1. International Dog Puller Federation

1.1. International Dog Puller Federation (IDPF)— a main supervisory and organizational entity that has unlimited rights regarding Dog Puller as a dog sport.

1.2. Dog Puller is a canine sport based on exercises with a “Puller” training equipment. It includes two disciplines: Running and Jumping.

1.2.1 Since March 2013 and at the present time the International Federation comprises:

• • V.V. Petrenko – IDPF President

• • S.O. Shkot – IDPF Vice President

• • Heads of National Dog Puller Federations

1.3 The National Dog Puller Federation is a major and organizational entity, acting within the country.

1.3.1. The National Federation consists of certified Dog Puller referees and certified Puller trainers.

1.3.2 Admission of a new member to the National Federation is granted after voting in the International Federation and passing certification with conferring the title and issuing a certificate of the National Judge.

1.4 Regional Dog Puller Federation is a main supervisory and organizational entity, acting within their region or area. The title of a Dog Puller Regional Federation may be assigned to more than one area/region.

1.4.1 Regional Dog Puller Federation members comprise those with the Regional Dog Puller Judge title.

2. Regulation on assigning categories to the referees 

2.1 Regional Dog Puller Referee: to attend the Dog Puller seminar and Puller training held by the heads of the IDPF, to pass an exam for the Regional referee category, to judge two Dog Puller championships as an assistant referee and one championship on their own, under the supervision of a National or International referee category. 

From the moment of receiving the certificate of a Regional referee category, in order to save the certificate, the referee must judge/organize at least three Dog Puller championships per year.

2.2 National Dog Puller Referee:  is a referee with a Regional Dog Puller Referee category, who assisted in at least 3 National Cups and has passed the certification on knowledge of the IDPF Unified Statute. 

From the moment of receiving the certificate of a National Referee Category in order to keep it the referee must judge/organize at least five Dog Puller Championships of the Regional Category or organize 1 Dog Dog Puller Championship of the National Category per year.

2.3 International Dog Puller Referee: is a referee, who has the National Referee title and has judged 5 championships of the International category.

3. Regulations of the Regional Federation work

• • To organize and host of the Dog Puller Championships

• • To attract and find sponsors

• • Media coverage, etc. of the Championship before and after it

• • To register participants for the upcoming Championship

• • Any kind of promotion and development of Dog Puller Sport

• • To strictly obey the Statute

• • Minimum 2 meetings of regional representatives per year to transfer the protocols and copies of documents to the National Dog Puller Federation

• • To notify the National Federation of any changes and events in the Regional Federation

• • To conduct rating of athletes and update it every 3 months

4. Regulations of the National Federation work

• • To organize and hosting of the Dog Puller Championships

• • To attract and find sponsors

• • Media coverage, etc. of the championship before and after it

• • To register participants for the upcoming championship

• • Any kind of promotion and development of Dog Puller Sport

• • To strictly obey the Statute

• • To conduct rating of athletes and update it every 3 months

• • Minimum 1 meeting of national representatives per year to transfer the protocols and copies of documents to the International Dog Puller Federation

• • To notify the International Federation about the Regional Federations developments

• • Submission of progress reports to the International Federation until 31.12 and 01.06 of each year.

• • Monitoring of the Regional Federations activities

• • Opening new Regional Federations and every possible contribution to their development

5. Regulations of the International Federation work

• • To organize and host of the Dog Puller Championships on international level

• • To organize and host the World Championship together with the National Federation of the co-organizer country

• • To attract and find sponsors

• • Media coverage, etc. of the championship before and after it

• • Any kind of promotion and development of Dog Puller Sport

• • To strictly obey the Statute

• • Minimum 1 meeting of national representatives per year with discussion of current issues of the Federations

• • To notify the International Federation about the Regional Federations developments

• • To monitor the National Federations activities

• • To open new National Federations and to contribute in every possible to their development

6. Holding Dog Puller Championships

6.1 Number of Championships

6.1.1 The Regional Federation, in the region (-s) or area (-s) it is assigned to, should hold at least two championships per year.

6.1.2 The National Federation should hold at least 1 championship of the National Open Championship category per year, with awarding the National Dog Puller Champion of the country title.

6.1.3 The International Federation should hold at least 1 championship of the International category per year, with the awarding of the International Dog Puller Champion title.

6.2 Awarding of Titles

6.2.1 The Regional Championship awards the title of Champion of the Region (name of the city) in each Dog Puller category (except for the puppy category).

Within one championship, the title of Region Champion is received by

• • Puller Running Mini category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Midi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Maxi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Drive category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Heavyweight category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Micro category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Mini category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Midi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Maxi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Drive category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Heavyweight category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Micro category – 1 dog

6.2.2 The National Championship awards the title of National Champion of a Country (name of the country) in each Dog Puller category (except for the puppy category).

• • Puller Running Mini category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Midi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Maxi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Drive category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Heavyweight category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Micro category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Mini category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Midi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Maxi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Drive category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Heavyweight category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Micro category – 1 dog

6.2.2.1 At the National Championship, a dog which has the title of Regional Champion or the prize winner of the Regional Championship is fighting for the title of National Champion

6.2.3 The International Championship awards the title of International Champion in each discipline and category of Dog Puller (except for the puppy category)

• • Puller Running Mini category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Midi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Maxi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Drive category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Heavyweight category – 1 dog

• • Puller Running Micro category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Mini category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Midi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Maxi category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Drive category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Heavyweight category – 1 dog

• • Puller Jumping Micro category – 1 dog

6.2.3.1 At the International Championship, a dog which has the title of National Champion or the prize winner of the Regional Championship or Region Champion is fighting for the title of International Champion

6.2.4 Championship categories

• • Regional Championship – from 25 participants (sport couples: athlete + dog).

• • National Championship – from 35 participants, 10 of which are from other cities, areas, regions. It is held in each country maximum two times per competitive year.

• • International Championship – from 50 participants, 10 of which are from another country / countries. It is held in each country at most once in a competitive year.

6.4.5 Contest year and ranking

• • The contest year for each Federation in each country begins not earlier than the next day after the World Championship and not later than the 30^th day after the World Championship and ends up a day before the next World Championship.

• • The data of the participants of all championships is recorded in a league table. The rating is composite: Puller Running + Puller Jumping, i.e. if a pair (handler + dog) participates in only one discipline, in order to receive the rating they need to train and participate in two disciplines .

The rating calculation consists of 2 parts:

1. 1. Basic points

Points are awarded only for winning places, provided that a pair participated in two disciplines:

1st place – 31 points

2nd place – 22 points

3rd place – 13 points

Also, points are added to the result depending on the category of the championship and the number of participants in it:

regional:
from 25 participants +2 points

regional from 35 participants +3 points

regional from 45 participants + 4 points

national +5 points 

international +10 points 

for the away championship +5 points to the total result (another city, another region, another country)

2. 2. Final points

Points earned by a pair are calculated according to the formula:

basic points x (multiply) points earned in the discipline ÷ (divide) by the national record in this discipline for this category. Round the resulting value to an integer.

If a national record was not fixed earlier, then the maximum number of points (winner points) is recorded at the first contest.

If the national record was “beaten” at the contests, it is taken into account starting from the next contests.

• • Each country also holds a qualifying championship (one or more depending on the country). A pair that received the highest score, becomes a member of the national team. The highest score is 2 points and is calculated by adding up to the winning places in each discipline.

6.3 Panel of Referees

6.3.1 Only certified Dog Puller referees are allowed to judge the championship. A certified referee is a person who has taken a seminar, internship, certification and has at least a certificate of a Dog Puller regional referee category.

6.3.1.1 The certified Dog Puller referee has to attend a special seminar organized by IDPF at least once a year.

6.3.2 The competitions are judged by a panel of referees. It consists of a minimum of 3 certified Dog Puller referees. Each referee should have a scoresheet to record the results of the performance of each participant in each discipline. The scoresheet must be signed by the judge – Surname and First Name, be dated with pages, be numbered.

6.3.3 A Head Referee of the competition is one person from the Panel of Referees appointed for the objectivity, credibility and experience of participation and judging in this sport.

6.3.4 Linesmen – two people from the Panel of Referees, performing the role of referees in catching zones in the Puller Running discipline and counting the jumps together with the Head Referee in the Puller Jumping discipline.

6.3.5 During the Puller Running discipline, two Linesmen take into account all the nuances and participate in the operational resolution of disputed issues.

6.3.6 Timekeeper – a person who is responsible for timing during the performance of a sporting pair using a stopwatch or timer. The timekeeper begins the countdown of the performance only after a clear signal from the handler – double puller clap (hit one puller against another puller). The timekeeper is located near the central zone – the start zone.

6.3.7 The panel of referees may include a larger number of people, whose responsibilities are designated by the Head Referee.

6.3.8 The Head Referee takes a position near the central zone – the start zone.

6.3.9 The Head Referee makes sure that the competitions are held in accordance with the current rules, so that the handler does not step on or outside the start zone line when throwing a puller, notes the dog’s run out from the central zone/start zone (it might be between flags/cones that that lined a border line between start zone and catching zone), notes the catch and return of the puller to the start zone and maintains a scoresheet. He also accepts signs (a raised hand with proper catching of the puller / hands crossed when incorrect catching or a missing the puller happens) from the linesmen.

6.3.10 During the Puller Running discipline, the linesmen are located close to the run-up zone (to the left and right of the central zone – the start zone) and monitor whether a puller touched the ground before it was caught by a dog, in which zone and how a puller was caught by a dog, how did a dog return a puller to the start zone. If the puller is correctly caught in the catching zone, the linesmen must signal to the Head Referee and raise a hand. If the puller is not caught correctly or not caught, the hands are crossed. The linesmen make notes on catching/non-catching in their scoresheets.

6.3.11 During the Puller Jumping discipline, the Head Referee and assistant referees count the jumps. One of the referees counts dog’s jumps with Puller grabbing with mouth and two paws take off the ground and another judge counts jumps with Puller grabbing with mouth and four paws take off the ground. Third referee counts the general amount of scored jumps during the performance. Each referee keeps his own scoresheet to record the results of each participant.

6.3.12 The referees during judging adjust to the athlete’s work style, but only count visible jumps with a clear grip.

6.3.13 All scoresheets filled in by the referees during the championship upon completion of the disciplines are submitted to the Head Referee. The Head Referee compares all the sheets with his own, discusses controversial issues with the linesmen and makes decisions on the prize award.

6.3.14 The results of the championship should be summarized in a single score table and published no later than seven days after the championship on an open public resource, in the main DOG PULLER group on Facebook with photo and video from the entire championship.

6.3.15 All results from the championship are passed to the Head of the Dog Puller Federation of one’s country and he enters them into the country’s league table. 

6.3.16 Championship held in accordance with all the rules is subject to a rating.

6.3.17 Rating Championship – a championship held in accordance with all the rules of the IDPF, the results of which are entered in the League Table and lead to the formation of the national team for the World Championship.

6.3.18 Panel of Referees at the National Championship categories must include at least one National Referee category.

6.3.19 Panel of Referees at the International Championship category must include at least one of the International Referee Category.

6.4 Equipment and field marking

6.4.1 Site selection

The DP championship requires a playing standard field, for a dog and handler to perform, at least 50 x 15 m. For the World Championship the standard field has to be not less than 60 x 15 m, the micro field 25 x 7 m.

The competition field covering must be smooth, not slippery and not too hard. Also, the field should not have pits, potholes, bumps and other irregularities. The field with the following types of coverings is strictly unacceptable: concrete, asphalt, gravel, crushed stone, rubber coating of outdoor sports grounds, tile or stone tiles. The field should be cleared and contain no bushes, trees or any other obstacles.

6.4.2 Field Marking

The standard field is marked according to the scheme below. In the center are three equal zones of 10 x 10 m. The micro field is marked as a standard one, but in the center are three equal zones of 5 x 5 m

6.4.2.1 The Puller Running discipline is carried out on the field with this marking:

The puller catching zone on the standard field cannot be shorter than 7 m. It is not marked and not fenced, and has a free length. The puller catching zone on the micro field cannot be shorter than 3 m. It is not marked and not fenced, and has a free length.

6.4.2.2 The Puller Jumping discipline is performed on any of the marked squares of the field (10 x 10m for standard field and 5 x 5 m for micro field):

The field is marked with sand, sawdust, special spray paints, tape or non-toxic food dyes, and can be additionally fenced with tape around the perimeter (the puller catching zones along the field are not fenced).

Flags or cones are placed at the corners of the squares.

The competition field covering must be smooth, not slippery and not very hard.

Field standard size at least 15 x 50m

Field micro size at least 7 x 21m

Three zones for standard field are marked 10 x 10 m

Three zones for micro field are marked 5 x 5m

The field is marked with sand, sawdust or non-toxic food coloring, and is additionally fenced with tape around the perimeter. Flags are placed at the corners of the squares.

6.5 Categories

Dogs are categorized according to age and height.

• • Puppy category – dogs aged 3 to 12 months.

• • Mini category – dogs up to 36 cm at the withers.

• • Midi category – dogs from 36,01 to 47 cm at the withers.

• • Maxi category – dogs from 47.01 cm at the withers (47.01 cm and above).

• • Drive category – high-speed dogs of such breeds as border collie, kelpies, their mixes and specially developed sports mixes.

• • Heavyweight category – molossers breeds, mastiff type and other dogs, which due to their pedigree and physical characteristics cannot develop high speed and show legerity competitive with other categories. Heavyweight dog doesn’t mean an overweight dog!

• • Veteran category – dogs from the age of 8 years + 1 day of all sizes.

• • Dogs of some breeds can be determined by the judge as into the Maxi category, and into the Heavyweight category depending on the dog’s build.

• • In order to categorize a dog three referees measure it, with each referee making one measurement. The result is the average of the three measurements.

• • Measurement is carried out on the smooth surface. The dog stands on 4 legs in a free stance. Measurement of the dog starts from the highest point of the shoulder blades and to the surface on which the dog stands. See measurement example in the picture:

• • The Heavyweight and Veteran categories open starting from 3 dogs. If the categories do not have the required number of dogs, then they are combined as follows:

• • Maxi category + Heavyweight category

• • Veteran category according to growth distribution

6.6 Competition

• • In each category, an athlete has the right to compete with no more than three dogs.

• • In each category, one dog can compete with only one handler.

• • In all disciplines, only one athlete and a dog may be present on the field during their performance.

• • Only Puller TM Collar is allowed for the use.

• • Dogs of the Mini and Midi categories cannot perform with Micro Puller rings.

• • Maxi and Drive dogs cannot perform with Mini and Micro Puller rings.

• • Heavyweight dogs cannot perform with Mini, Midi and Micro Puller rings.

• • Veteran dogs can perform with Puller rings suitable for their height category.

• • Dogs of the puppy category can perform with Puller rings of any size.

• • Dogs up to 5 kg can perform in a standard field with Micro Puller rings.

• • During the performance, one pair of identical Puller rings should be used.

• • The number of points for each throw, jump and the overall result of the pair’s performance is objectively determined by the Head Referee of the competition and cannot be discussed or challenged by athletes.

• • Spectators and the press are not allowed to be on the competition field during the performance of sports pairs.

6.6.1 Puller Jumping

• • The performance area for this discipline is a playing standard field 10 x 10 m. Micro field is 5 x 5 m.

• • Performance time – 90 sec.

• • During the performance two Puller rings are used.

• • A competing pair of a dog and a handler begins its performance in a 10 x 10 m zone for standard field and 5 x 5 m for Micro field.

• • The countdown and the beginning of the performance start only after the handler clearly hits a puller against another twice (double clap with pullers).

• • The performance consists of alternately grabbing one of the pullers by dog with the two or four paws off the ground. While grabbing the puller, the puller must be in the handler’s hand. After grabbing the ring with the dog’s mouth, the puller can be released from the handler’s hand.

• • During the performance, the dog should demonstrate a clear change of position with the left/right sides of the body when changing the Puller rings.

• • During the performance, the dog should make a predominantly horizontal jump with a marked movement towards the Puller ring.

• • Within the 10 x 10 m performance zone, for Micro 5 x 5 m, the handler and dog are not restricted in movements.

• • Handler can stand on his knees, but so that no part of his body is used by the dog as a barrier/obstacle.

• • If an athlete uses any part of the body as a barrier for a dog, the judges have the right to impose restrictions on a team acting in a similar way: from dividing the overall result by 2 to disqualification in this discipline. Information on judging measures is announced to all participants before the start of the discipline.

6.6.1.1 Scoring in the Puller Jumping discipline

• • A dog must make the maximum number of jumps with grabbing the puller with its mouth.

• • Jump with grabbing and two paws off the ground – 1 p.

• • Jump with grabbing and four paws off the ground – 2 p.

• • Jump without grabbing – 0 p.

• • Jump without a clear grip – 0 p.

• • Vertical jump without marked change left/right sides of the body – 0 p.

• • Vertical jump without marked movement of a dog towards the puller – 0 p.

• • Grab without a jump (separation of at least two paws from the ground) – 0 p.

• • Handler’s move to / for marking up lines of the performance area 10 x 10 m – 0 p.

• • If during the performance the dog grabbed the same puller ring twice in a row, then the second puller grip is 0 p.

• • If a dog did not grab the Puller ring and it was offered to it again once or repeatedly until it was grabbed with the mouth, then the result of the Puller ring grab is counted according to the rules.

• • Non-visible, weak pulling of a puller by a dog with an incomplete mouth – 0 p.

6.6.1.2 Each dog, taking into account its breed, age or individual characteristics, may have a different density, strength and style of capture puller.

Examples of puller grips that are considered successful:

6.6.1.3 Scoring in the Puller Jumping discipline, Puppy category

• • A dog must make the maximum number of jumps or shifts with grabbing the puller with its mouth.

• • Jump with grab and two paws off the ground of – 2 p.

• • Puller ring change with a grip – 1 p.

• • Jump without a grip – 0 p.

• • Puller ring change without a grip – 0 p.

• • A grip without a jump (separation of at least two paws from the ground) / without changing the puller ring – 0 p.

• • Handler’s move to / for marking up lines of the performance area 10 x 10 m – 0 p.

• • If during the performance a dog grabbed the same Puller ring twice in a row, then the second puller grip is 0 p.

• • If a dog did not grab the Puller ring and it was offered to it again once or repeatedly until it was grabbed with a mouth, then the result of a Puller ring grab is counted according to the rules.

6.6.2 Puller Running

• • Performance time – 90 sec. The number of throws is not limited. Two Puller rings are used.

• • A competing pair of a dog and a handler begins its performance in the central zone – the start zone.

• • The countdown and the beginning of the performance begin only after a clear signal from a handler – double puller clap (hit one puller against another).

• • The performance consists of alternately throwing the Puller rings in different directions, so that a dog catches a rolling ring in the catching zone and brings it to the start zone. The Puller rings are thrown by a handler one at a time, each time in the opposite directions.

• • A rolling ring – a Puller ring that rotates and moves relative to the surface, i.e. are in contact with each other.

• • A puller is considered to be “rolling” until the ring completely lies on one of its sides on the field (force majeure option – the puller ring is stuck somewhere without movement – is regarded as a fallen puller). If a non-moving puller lying on one of its sides, or stuck somewhere without movement, was set in motion by a dog or any other extraneous impact, then such a puller is not considered as caught in movement.

• • A puller after a throw from the start zone must touch the surface of the field at least once before being caught by the dog.

• • A puller thrown from the start zone must cross the line separating the run-up zone and the catching zone between the flags/cones indicating the corners of the square of the run-up zone.

• • A dog while running to the puller from the start zone has to cross the line separating the run-up zone and the starting zone between the flags/cones indicating the corners of the squares of the run-up  and start zone every time.

• • After throwing a puller, the handler can exit the start zone and does not entail a loss of the score.

• • A throw is considered to be successful if made by a handler strictly from the start zone.

• • Within the start zone, a dog can leave a puller on the ground or give it directly to the handler.

• • The performance ends after 90 seconds. If the handler managed to throw a puller before the end of time was announced, then even after the final whistle or announcement of the performance time ending, the point will be counted if the dog successfully catches the ring and returns to the start area.

6.6.2.1 Scoring in the Puller Running discipline:

• • When a dog catches a moving puller, behind the mark of the 10-meter run-up zone (5-meter zone for Micro) and returns the puller to the start zone. A puller must touch the surface of the field at least once before the dog catches it – 1 p.

• • A dog leaves the start zone before puller double clap and the time begins with followed by catching of puller – 0 p.

• • Dog went to catch a puller without crossing the line separating the run-up zone and the starting zone between the flags/cones indicating the corners of the squares of the run-up  and start zone every time – 0 p.

• • Catching a puller that does not touch the field surface at least once – 0 p.

• • If the dog lifts a non-moving puller – 0 p.

• • Puller caught within a 10-meter run-up zone (5-meter zone for Micro) – 0 p.

• • Puller is dropped by a dog after catching outside the start area – 0 p.

• • Puller touched the ground after successful catching and was outside the dog’s mouth – 0 p.

• • The puller did not cross the dividing line of the run-up zone and the catching zone between flags/cones – 0 p.

• • Handler’s move to/for marking up lines of the performance area when throwing a puller – 0 p.

• • If the same puller ring was thrown twice in a row, then the second throw is – 0 p.

• • If the Puller ring was thrown two times in a row in the same direction, then the second throw is – 0 p.

6.6.2.2 Scoring in the discipline Puller Running Puppy category

• • When a dog catches a moving puller, behind the mark of the 10-meter run-up zone and returns the puller to the start zone. A puller must touch the surface of the field at least once before the dog catches it – 1 p.

• • A dog leaves the start zone before puller double clap and the time begins with followed catching of puller – 0 p.

• • Catching a puller that does not touch the field surface at least once – 0 p.

• • If the dog lifts a non-moving puller and brings it to the start zone – 1 p.

• • Puller caught within a 10-meter run-up zone – 0 p.

• • Puller was dropped by a dog after catching outside the start zone, but was brought to the start zone – 1 p.

• • Puller touched the ground after a successful catch, was outside the dog’s mouth and brought to the start zone – 1 p.

• • A puller did not cross the dividing line of the run-up zone and the catching zone between flags / cones – 0 p.

• • Handler’s move to / for marking up lines of the performance area when throwing a puller – 0 p.

• • If the same puller ring was thrown twice in a row, then the second throw is 0 p.

• • If the puller ring was thrown two times in a row in the same direction, then the second throw is 0 p.

7. Determination of a winner when participants have the same number of points

• • Pairs that scored the same number of points will be provided a restart (re-run or re-jumping), depending on the discipline in which participants have the same number of points.

• • Restart is carried out separately for each category and discipline, if necessary.

• • Restart is carried out only to determine the prize places (1st, 2nd and 3rd).

• • Puller Running Restart: make three puller throws from the start zone using minimum time. Double clap puller – the start of the countdown. From this moment, according to the rules of Puller Running the pair must make three throws of the Puller rings in the shortest time. Time stops when the dog has reached the start zone with at least one paw, returning the puller after the 3rd throw.

• • In Puller Running Restart, the pair that scored more wins. With the same performance efficiency – the pair with the shortest time.

• • Puller Jumping Restart: make 10 jumps with the puller grabbed with the mouth using minimum time. Double clap puller – the start of the countdown. From this moment, the dog must make 10 jumps and grab the puller with its mouth. Time stops when the dog lands after the 10^th jump.

• • In Puller Jumping Restart, the pair with the most points wins. With the same number of points, the pair with the least time wins.

8. Errors, violations, disqualification

• • An athlete has a right to replace the damaged puller. If during the performance a dog damaged it, the athlete has the right to replace the puller at any time during his performance. To do this, he must pass the damaged puller to the referee before continuing the performance. The time of performance in this case does not stop and the decision to replace the puller remains at the discretion of the athlete. It is possible to replace the puller outside the start area with the permission of the Head Referee of the competition.

• • If during the performance a dog has damaged the court, inside or outside the borders, but within the competition field, the performance stops immediately. An athlete must immediately eliminate the consequences of the incident, then when the athlete and his dog are ready to continue the performance, the timing continues from the moment it has stopped.

• • If during the performance a dog eases oneself, the timing immediately stops, the performance ends and the number of points received by the acting pair before the incident is counted. If the athlete does not eliminate the consequences of the incident, the team will be disqualified for this discipline.

• • Bitches in heat are allowed to compete. The performance of a pair in this case takes place after all participants and disciplines. The fact of estrus is considered from the first day up to 30 inclusively. Bitches in heat participate in the Restart to determine 1, 2 or 3 places last.

• • If an athlete has hidden the fact of his dog estrus from referees, the pair will be disqualified.

• • Sick dogs and pregnant bitches (from the 5th week of pregnancy) are also not allowed to compete in Dog Puller competitions.

• • Dogs with defects in development or structure (including acquired), but not causing problems to the dog or athlete during the performance (not leading to the risk of injury) and not having health problems are allowed to participate. Admission is determined on the spot by the Head Referee of the competition.

• • An athlete’s ill-treatment of a dog during the event, abusive language, open hostility to other competitors, as well as appearing on the competition field while intoxicated, shall be punished via disqualification.

• • Dogs with any kind of electronic collars, strict collars, choke chains, harnesses and with items of equipment (clothing) that interfere with free movement are not allowed during the competition.

• • During the performance it is prohibited to reward a dog with food.

• • Only the puller can be in the hands of the competing athlete or within the start area.

• • Only one pair of competitors can be on the field during the competition: an athlete and a dog, not counting the team of judges. No one may intentionally touch a dog or puller, except for a dog’s handler, during a team’s performance. Violation is recorded by the Head Referee of the competition; the adoption of further decisions is also determined by the Head Referee.

• • Dog aggression is unacceptable during competitions. If a dog shows signs of aggression towards a person or another dog in the field seen by the Head Referee (before, during, and after performances, but till the end of the award ceremony), the dog and the athlete are disqualified, their result equates to 0.

• • Disputes with a panel of referees, contesting results and appeals are prohibited at any time.

9. Precautions

• • Puller throw should be from above, from behind the ear. Hold preferably with three fingers.

• • When jumping, have a dog jump for the puller horizontally, not vertically or strictly up, followed by landing on its hind feet with a straight or unnaturally arched back. Landing after vertical jumps can adversely affect your dog’s joints. The judges have the right to stop an athlete’s performance if the manner of jumping is considered dangerous for a dog.

• • Once a dog has grabbed the puller, it is not recommended to turn the dog in the air too sharply, exerting a jerk load on the cervical. Such work technique may be considered by a judge as unsafe for the dog and measures may be taken at the discretion of the referee.

• • The shape of a puller protects the hand from accidental bites, but the puller must be held correctly, the wrist is pointing down, the elbow is up. This position of the hand, when performing jumping exercises, is correct and safe for the dog’s handler. Handler’s wrist always looks at the dog.

• • The picture below illustrates the correct position of the handler’s grip and torso during the Jumping exercise.