During a virtual trial, the same rules for performance including leashes (when leashes are required to be on or off), distances required, hoop tricks, tricks on a pedestal and number and complexity of tricks that are required for a live stunt dog trial are required for a virtual trial. For example if the handlers space does not allow enough room to perform the tricks at the required distance, the routine cannot be passed. Similarly if the pedestal is too small for the dog to perform tricks safely, the routine cannot be passed.
Virtual Stunt Dog titles are limited to domesticated dogs only. This is to ensure consistency in judging criteria between live and virtual trials.
The ideal ring size for virtual competitions is 30×30 and competitors should be encouraged to find a space as close to that size as possible. In order to make trials accessible to as many people as possible, smaller ring sizes may be allowed for virtual trials provided they provide enough space for the team to perform the exercise.
How to set up your virtual stunt dog ring trial
- Download the free Stunt Dog Rules Handbook and familiarize yourself with the equipment, levels, sequences, and ring requirements.
- If you don’t have a KLIMB table, you may purchase one at a discount here, or substitute another kind of platform of similar dimensions. You may also have to innovate a ring and work without a steward, and that’s okay.
- If you need help preparing, you can arrange for private coaching or take one of my Stunt Dog Seminars online.
- Purchase your Quarantine Live Video Stunt Dog Ring Trial ticket and choose Lisa Lanser Rose as your friendly Official Stunt Dog Judge from the drop-down menu.
- Coordinate a date for your ring trial! I have my own Zoom account we can use, or we can use any virtual streaming service of your choice (e.g. Google Hangouts, FaceTime, etc)
Guidelines for Each Level:
For Novice the minimum ring size is 12×12. The recommended pedestal location is in the stage front and stage right corner, assuming the ring entrance is stage front and stage left, this will keep the location of the pedestal from interfering with the perimeter circle for both the entrance and exit. This configuration will accommodate all of the required distance exercises.
1) Stay on pedi handler backs up 6 feet
2) Handler circles the pedi at a distance of 2 feet.
3) Send to Pedestal from 10′ distance with room to walk counter-clockwise around the back of the pedestal – Send must be done on the diagonal line to meet the distance requirement.
4) Send to Target Mark from 6 feet distance.
For Open the minimum ring size is 16×16.
The pedestal should be placed in the center of the ring. This configuration will accommodate all of the required distance exercises.
1) Stay on pedi handler backs up 6 feet
2) Handler circles the pedi at a distance of 6 feet (handler walks the edge of the ring in this set up)
3) Send to Pedestal from the distance of the perimeter fence (approximately 10 feet in this set up) – Send must be done on the diagonal line to meet the distance requirement.
4) Send to Target Mark from 10 feet distance.
For Proven, Professional and Champion the minimum ring size is 20×20.
The pedestal should be placed in the center of the ring. This configuration will accommodate all of the required distance exercises.
1) Mount Pedestal Assume Ready Position Proven no requirement
Professional -send from distance of the fence. 2) Stay on the Pedestal Handler circles it Proven requirement 10 feet distance in this configuration it is the edge of the space/fence.
Professional at the distance of the fence
3) Distance tricks on the pedestal: Proven requirement 6 foot distance. Professional requirement 12 foot distance. Must be done on the diagonal line to make the distance requirement
4) Distance trick on the target mark 6 foot distance for both Proven and Professional
Any pedestal that is safe for the dog and allows the dog enough space to perform the tricks on is acceptable. People using something other than a 24″ W x24″ L x 12″ H pedestal should check with their SDJ to ensure the pedestal will work. Keep in mind that larger platforms may require adjustments to the ring size to ensure there is enough distance to perform the required exercises.