We played this game on May 30, 2025, at the Colorado Springs Trolley Museum. Twelve teams worked four search areas - two exteriors, one vehicle, and one mixed element (containers and exterior). The total search time was 12 minutes, and the handlers were told that all of the searches had an unknown number of hides, but none of the searches were blank. The distractions at this location are tough!
The learning objective of this game is to manage your time effectively, get comfortable using a timing device, learning to read when your dog is finished with a search area, remembering to call "finish," and efficiently covering your search area.
The Rules:
Four searches are set, any elements. All teams will do all the searches, if they have enough time. Searches may have a known number of hides, an unknown number of hides, or a range of hides.
A total time for all four searches will be determined, and each handler must use their best judgement on how to spend that time. You don’t have to announce before your search, and you may adjust on the fly.
The goal is to learn how much time you really need to complete a search, and to get comfortable using self-timing devices.
Handlers will be allowed to see the search areas to plan their time strategy.
Handlers must call “Finish” in each search to stop the time. Failure to call finish means the time keeps running!
A 30-second warning will be given just before the end of the total time.
Handlers are allowed to wear timing devices.
One false alert is allowed in each search, a second false alert ends that search.
Eliminating in the search area (peeing/pooping) ends that search.
