Requirements to Participate
In
UKC-SDA Events

Paper Work Requirements

1. All dogs must be registered with the United Kennel Club
2. All dogs must have a score book; score-books can be obtained from UKC or at SDA events. Handlers must provide proof of UKC registration before score- books will be provided from SDA.

Handler Requirements

1. All participants must be in good standing with both UKC & SDA
2. Handlers can participate and obtain training titles without being a member of SDA.
3. Any handler participating in UKC-SDA event performing any other activity besides participating for UKC title must be a current member of Service Dogs of America.
4. All handlers under the legal age of being an adult must have a parent or legal guardian signature approving participation.
5. Handlers must present themselves in an orderly manner concerning dress or conduct. The judge or trial chairman will be responsible for enforcement.

Dog Requirements

1. Dogs must be at least nine months old to participate for a Family Obedience title.
2. Dogs must be at least one year old to participate in advanced obedience, tracking, detection, search & rescue or the Protection Alert title.
3. Dogs must be at least eighteen months old to participate in all protection titles that exceed the Protection Dog Alert.
4. SDA welcomes all breeds of dogs, however, each dog must demonstrate proper temperament for the trial steward to inspect the dog/ handler team's equipment prior to entering the field.
5. Giant Breeds Requirements: the requirements for the giant breeds are the same as other dogs for all titles except protection. The judge may ask for a pretrial evaluation of the dog prior to performing protection. The pretrial evaluation would require the dog to be back tied and then stimulated with a possible grip being given by a helper. If the dog releases the grip properly and the handler demonstrates control over the dog; the dog/handler team will be allowed to participate for a protection title.
6. All dogs must demonstrate that they are in good health and up to the task.

Liabilities

1. All handlers must be willing to take full responsibility for all actions and liabilities concerning their dog's behavior participating or attending UKC- SDA- event or activity.
2. All handlers understand that participating in UKC-SDA event or activities can be physically and mentally intense. I understand that I am totally responsible for injuries to myself and will assume all known and unknown risk even arising from the negligence of the organization hosting the event.
3. I, for myself on behalf of heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, here by release and hold harmless the United kennel Club, Service Dogs of America, their officers, employees, officials and representatives with respect to any and all injury, disability, death or loss or damage to person or property.
4. For participants of Minority Age (Under the age of 18) parent or legal guardian are totally responsible for the actions or injuries of the minor. Parents must sign an entry form and assume all liabilities for a minor to participate.

Title Requirements

1. All dogs must earn a Family Obedience title prior to any title. The Family Obedience title and either the Protection Alert or one gripping title can be obtained at the same event. Example, a dog /handler team could earn a Family Obedience title and a Protection Dog Alert or a Protection 1 or a Police Dog 1 at the same trial. Furthermore, a dog/ handler team could earn a Family Obedience Title and one more title in obedience, tracking etc at the same trial. In addition, handler/dog teams will not be required to repeat the Family Obedience routine for dogs that are also seeking the Protection Alert in the same trial since the obedience routine for both the Family Obedience and Protection Alert are identical.
2. Gripping titles must be earned in order. For example, a Protection 1 (P-1) must be earned to go for a P-2 and P-2 must be earned to go for a P-3. Likewise, a Police Dog 1 (PD-1) must be earned before going for a PD-2. The exception to this rule is that a full time K9 Officer's, whose department accepts the Police Dog 2 title as certification, may pass over other titles and go directly from the Family Obedience to the Police Dog 2 title. Moreover, only one gripping title may be earned at the same trial. A Protection Alert title, or a Protection 1 title or Police Dog 1 title may be earned at the same trial as the Family Obedience title is obtained. A dog may seek the P-1 title after obtaining the FO title and need not obtain the PA.

Equipment Requirements

1. Handler/dog teams will report to specified area for trial inspector or Stewart to examine equipment before entering the field. The handler may report with the dog in a wire muzzle or the Stewart may ask the handler to place a muzzle on the dog prior to inspecting. Muzzles will be provided if needed. SDA will have approved equipment for loan if any equipment is not acceptable. The whole idea behind the muzzles is for safety and to make handlers aware of wire basket muzzle. The inspection Stewart may request any dog going for a protection title to be muzzled prior to inspection.
2. Protection titles require a leash no longer than six feet and no shorter than three feet.
3. The Protection alert and Protection - 1 titles allow for the use of two collars during the protection routines; one collar can be a flat collar, fur savor, choke collar, or a pinch collar. In addition, a harness may be used in place of one collar. Pinch collars must be worn with an additional collar attached.
4. All advanced obedience and protection titles only allow for one collar. Handlers cannot use pinch collars or electric collars in advanced titles
5. Only one collar is allowed during obedience. Pinch or electric collars are not allowed.

SDA Club Requirements

1. Each club must have four SDA members.
2. Club dues each year. Dues will be one hundred and fifty dollars for new clubs that are not current UKC clubs.
3. Existing UKC clubs only have to have four members that belong to SDA.
4. Each club has to have constitutional by-laws that are acceptable to both UKC & SDA.
5. Each SDA club must have or co-sponsor one trial each year.
6. Club Officers must be members of SDA.
7. Official affiliated club names may use UKC-SDA, then city and state. Example, UKC-SDA Club, Athens, TN Chapter.

Hosting UKC-SDA Event

1. Only SDA Clubs can host an UKC-SDA event.
2. Only SDA members can participate any event activities that don't concern titling a dog.
3. Facilities to host UKC-SDA event must be approved by UKC.
4. All events must be schedule through UKC & SDA.
5. SDA Clubs must provide helpers that have been pre-approved. UKC-SDA judges can approve a helper by try out demonstration. SDA Judges will provide helper books at beginning trials.

In Summary

Participants of SDA-UKC events must abide by all rules and guidelines of both organizations. Requirements and guidelines may be added or changed due to the newness of this organization; however, most all of the above requirements are certain to remain the same.