puller

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 comprises 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.
• – 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

• The performance area for this discipline is a playing field 10 x 10 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.
• 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 comprises 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, 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.

Categories

Dogs are categorized according to age and height.

• – Puppy category – dogs aged 3 to 12 months.
• – Mini category – dogs up to 35 cm at the withers.
• – Midi category – dogs from 35 to 45 cm at the withers (from 35.01 cm).
• – Maxi category – dogs from 45 cm at the withers (45.01 cm and above).
• – Drive category – high-speed dogs of such breeds as border collie, kelpies and specially developed sports mixes.
• – Heavyweight category – molossers breeds and other dogs, which due to their pedigree and physical characteristics cannot develop high speed and show legerity competitive with other categories.
• – 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 judges, measure it, with each judge making one measurement. The result is the average of the three measurements.
• – Measurement is carried out on the smoothest 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 7 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

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

• 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 with 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 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.

• 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.

• Throw a puller from the top, from behind the ear. It is desirable to hold with three fingers.

• When jumping, direct the dog to jump behind the puller horizontally, not vertically, as “candles”. Landing after vertical jumps can negatively affect the joints of your dog. The judges have the right to stop the performance of the athlete, if the manner of jumping will be considered dangerous for the dog.
• After capture a puller by a dog, it is not recommended to turn the dog in the air too abruptly, putting a jerky load on the cervical region. Such a technique can be considered by the judge as unsafe for the dog and measures can be taken at the discretion of the judge.
• The puller shape protects the hand from accidental bites, but at the same time the puller must be held correctly, wrist is pointing down, and the elbow is pointing up. This position of the hand, when performing jumping exercises, is right and safe for a dog handler. Handler’s wrist always looks at the dog direction.