User:AnimaloverUA/Дог пуллер

Dog Puller is a dog sport created in Chernihiv, Ukraine in August, 2020. It is relatively new sport in comparison with Agility or Disc Dog, but its popularity grows quite fast.

The sport is based on the exercises with PULLER — dog fitness tool — Puller Running and Puller Jumping. Today Dog Puller is an international sport. Dog Puller clubs exist all over the world, from Japan to Canada. The Second Dog Puller World Championship was held in 2019, gathering 91 participants from 11 different countries.

The main principle of Dog Puller is accessibility. The exercises are deliberately created to let any dogs and people start their training disregarding of their initial fitness, disabilities and dog breed.

History
Dog Puller started as a set of exercises developed for the dog fitness tool PULLER in August, 2012.

The owner of COLLAR Company that manufactures PULLER tools, Yuriy Sinitsa, arranged a meeting of dog trainer and PULLER inventor, Serhiy Shkot and sportswoman and cynologist Varvara Petrenko. The main idea of the meeting was creating a sport, accessible for any dogs and people. Varvara created the rules for such a sport from scratch — from the disciplines to score calculation — based on the exercises with PULLER developed by Serhiy.

After several corrections of the rules, the first Dog Puller Championship took place in September, 2012. The first participants didn't have special training beforehand, lot of them didn't even know the principles of work with PULLER, learning on the spot. Nevertheless, the competition was a success and Dog Puller started growing popularity in Ukraine. It became truly renowned from the second half of 2016.

First Dog Puller World Championship (2018)
The First Dog Puller World Championship took place in Prague, Czech Republic on the 7th of October, 2018. 70 sportspeople from Ukraine, Portugal, South Korea, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic participated in it. The dogs were divided into four categories: Mini, Maxi, Drive and Bull (see Categories).

The participants from Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary and South Korea became multichampions. Ukrainian team became the ultimate champions.

World records
Margarita German and her border collie Ivy set the world record in Puller Jumping (Drive category). Jan Straka and his border collie Axus set the record in Puller Running (Drive category).

Second Dog Puller World Championship (2019)
The Second Dog Puller World Championship took place on the 7th-8th of September in city of Sopron (Hungary). More than 90 participants from 11 countries registered. The teams of Ukraine, Portugal, South Korea, Russia, Hungary, Belarus, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada, Austria and Poland came to participate.

The Second Dog Puller World Championship became a public event: there were master-classes for the spectators, canistherapy and physiotherapy zones, child and teen Dog Puller compatitions and starter PULLER lessons.

The Russian team became ultimate champions. Pairs from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Hungary became multichampions

Third Dog Puller World Championship (2020)
The Third Dog Puller World Championship will take place in Poland

Animal World Cup
On 17-19 of April, 2020 Animal World Cup — the biggest world animal sport event — will take place in Tokyo, Japan. Dog Puller will be one of the disciplines of the competition.

Other competitions and use
Dog Puller is an official dog sport and Dog Puller trainings and competitions are held as a part of animal training and canistherapy. The elements of exercises with PULLER are also used for the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers in Ukrainian hospitals.

Spring pole
Any dog breeds are allowed, the only condition is the age above 12 month and permanent teeth.

Rope (strap or tarpaulin tape) is reliably attached to a steady mount. PULLER Maxi or Standard is attached to the free end of the rope. It should be perpendicular to the ground, so that the dog can hold it. The distance from the ground to PULLER should be no more than 1,5 m. The distance should be enough for dog to catch PULLER by its mouth while standing on the ground with its rear legs.

The starting point is marked on the distance of 1,5 m from PULLER. After «Ready» command, the dog and the handler come to the starting point. The dog can be on a long leash or without a leash.

After «Set» command handler shows dog the way to PULLER and cheers it up, holding PULLER to not let it swing. After «Go!» command handler releases the dog. When the dog holds the PULLER, handler releases it. The dog now has to hold PULLER.

There are 3 tries. The maximum time for the pair is 90 seconds. When the time runs out, the dog should release PULLER (by itself or with the help of the handler). The performance is than scored:


 * Each 10 seconds (rounded up) = 1 point. The points are given for continious holding the PULLER by the dog.

Additional scores and penalties:


 * Catching PULLER on the first try + 10 points
 * Swinging +1 point
 * Incorrect set -5 points
 * Every next try -10 points
 * Fight provoking -10 points and disqualification

=== Current rules === Spring Poll isn't in the official disciplines list anymore. Now dogs are competing only in Puller Running and Puller Jumping disciplines

Puller Running
Time of performance — 90 seconds. The number of throws is not limited. Two Puller rings are used.

A competing pair a dog and handler starts their performance in Central Zone – Start zone.

The timing starts after handler vividly strickes twice one Puller with another (makes double clap of Pullers).

Performance consists of alternately throwing Puller rings in different directions so the dog catches rolling ring in Catching Zone and brings it to the Start Zone. Handler throws Puller rings alternately, each time in opposite directions.

Rolling ring is Puller ring that rotates and moves relative to surface, so ring and field surface stay in contact.

Puller is considered rolling until the ring is fully laid on the field on the one of its sides (force majeure – if the Puller ring comes to standstill – it is considered as fell down Puller). Puller that stands still, lying on the one of its sides or coming to standstill, but was set in motion by dog or by any external force cannot be considered as caught in movement.

After throwing from the Start Zone the Puller has to be in touch with surface at least one time before being caught by the dog.

Puller that was throw from the Start Zone, has cross the line marked with flags or cones between Running Zone and Catching Zone.

After throwing the Puller handler is allowed to leave Start Zone without any penalties.

Resultative throw is a throw performed by handler only from the Start Zone.

Dog can leave Puller on the ground or give it directly to handler in the Start Zone.

The performance finishes in 90 seconds. If handler managed to throw Puller before time was over, the point will be scored in case of its correct catching and returning to the Start Zone.

Scoring


 * If the dog catches rolling Puller behind 10-meters Running Zone mark and returns it to the Start Zone – 1 point.
 * If dog leaves Start Zone before double clap of Pullers and time start with further Puller catching – 0 points.
 * If dog catches Puller, that haven’t at least one contact with field surface. – 0 points.
 * If dog picks up a non-moving Puller — 0 points.
 * If Puller was caught in 10-meters Running Zone — 0 points.
 * If Puller was dropped by the dog after catching behind the Start Zone — 0 points.
 * If Puller touches the ground after correct catching, being out of dog’s mouth – 0 points.
 * If Puller didn’t cross the Separating Line between Running Zone and Catching Zone marked with flags and cones – 0 point.
 * If handler steps on/over the Start Zone line while throwing the Puller — 0 points.
 * If the same Puller is throw twice in a row. The second throw is – 0 points.
 * If Puller ring is throw twice in a row at the same direction, the second throw is – 0 points

Puller Jumping
Working area for this discipline – field 10 x 10 meters.

Time of performance — 90 seconds.

Two Puller rings are used for performance.

The Sport Pair dog and handler starts from 10 x 10 meters’ zone.

Timing starts after handler made clearly clap with two Pullers (double clap of Pullers).

Performance consist of alternate catching of one of the Pullers by dog with taking two or four paws off the ground. During catching Puller must stay in handler’s hand. It can be letting out from hands only after successful catching.

Dog must show clear changing of left/right position of the body when Puller rings are changed.

During the performance dog have to make predominantly horizontal jumps with clearly visible movement toward the Puller.

Handler and dog are not restricted in movement at 10 x 10 meters Zone.

Handler may stand on their knees during performance, but no part of the body can be used as barrier for the dog.

In case of using any part of body as a barrier for dog, referees can provide penalties for such pair: from dividing the total score on 2 to disqualification in this discipline.

Scoring


 * Dog must perform as many jumps with catching Puller with mouth as it possible.
 * Jump with grabbing and taking off the ground two paws — 1 point.
 * Jump with grabbing and taking off the ground four paws — 2 points.
 * Jump without Puller grabbing — 0 points.
 * Jump without vivid Puller grabbing — 0 points.
 * Vertical jump without clear change of left/right body position– 0 points.
 * Vertical jump without clearly visible movement toward the Puller -– 0 points.
 * Grabbing without jump (taking off the ground at least two paws) — 0 points.
 * Handler steps on/over performance 10 x 10 zone marking — 0 points.
 * If dog grabs twice the same Puller ring during performance, the second grab is – 0 points.
 * If dog did not catch Puller and it was offered to it again one or multiple times until the moment of successful grabbing – the result is scored according to the rules.
 * Not obvious grabbing of Puller, weak grabbing of Puller by a dog with not a full mouth — 0 points.

Each dog, depends of it breed, age and individual characteristics may have individual tightness, force and style of Puller grabbing.

Selection of competition venue and field marking:


 * The playing Field for handler and dog work with minimal size 50 x 15 meters is needed for Dog Puller championship.
 * There are three equal zones 10 x 10 m in center of the field.


 * The Puller Catching Zone cannot be shorter than 7 m. It is not marked and fenced.
 * Puller Jumping discipline is held on any squares (10 x 10 m) of the marked field.
 * Field is marked with sand, sawdust, special spray paints, tape or non-toxic food dyes and could be additionally fenced with tape around perimeter (Puller Catching Zone along the field shouldn’t be fenced).
 * Square corners are flagged or marked with cones.
 * The coating of competition field must be flat, not slippery and not too hard. Also it should not have holes, potholes, bumps and other irregularities. Field is covered with concrete, asphalt, gravel, crushed stone, rubber coating for sports grounds, tile or stone tiles is unsuitable. Field must be cleared and contain no bushes, trees or any other obstacles.

Referees
Only certified Dog Puller referees are allowed to judge championship. Certified Dog Puller referee is a person, who has passed seminar, internship, certification and has a Certificate of Dog Puller referee at least at regional level.

Referees judge a competition. It consists of at least 3 certified Dog Puller referees. Each referee must have a sheet, where the results of each participant performance, on each discipline are recoded. The sheet should be signed by referee – Name, Surname, date, page number.

The Main Referee of competitions is one person from Referees, appointed because of his objectiveness, authority and experience of participation in this kind of sports.

Side referees are a two persons from Referees, who work in Catching Zone in Puller Running discipline and counts jumps together with Main Referee in Puller Jumping discipline.

In Puller Running discipline, two Side Referees are considering all nuances and taking part in controversies resolving.

Timekeeper is a person, who uses a timer or stopwatch to measure a time during performance of sport pair. Timing starts after vivid signal from handler – double clap of two Pullers.

Referees may include more persons; their responsibilities are appointed by Main Referee.

Main Referee takes position in Central zone – Start Zone.

Main Referee ensures that the handler does not step on/over the Start Line throwing the Puller, notes catching and retuning puller to Start Zone and keeps a list of competitions. Also he takes signs (raised up hand in case of right catching the Puller or crossed hands in case of incorrect catching or miscatching) from Side Referees.

During Puller Running discipline Side Referees are each near Running Zone (left and right from Central Zone – Starting Zone) and track if Puller touched the ground before it was caught by the dog, in which zone and in what way in was caught by the dog. In case of right catching in Catching Zone side referee shows a sign to the Main Referee – raised up hand. In case of wrong catching/miscatching – hands are crossed. Side Referees makes notes about catching or not catching in theirs sheets.

The Main Referee and referees-assistances count the jumps. One of the referees counts dog’s jumps with grabbing of the Puller with mouth and take off the ground two paws and another judge counts jumps with grabbing of the puller with mouth and take off the ground four paws. Third judge counts general amount of scored jumps during the performance. Each judge keeps his own sheet, where the results of each participant are recoded.

Referees consider sportsman’s style of work, but only visible jumps with clear grabbing are counted.

All sheets, filled by referees during competitions, are given to Main Referee when Championship is finished. The Main Referee reconciles all sheets with his sheet, discusses controversies with Side Referees and makes decision about awarding places.

The Championship results should be set out in a single spreadsheet and published at open public resource within a period of not less than three days after championship

All results of Championship are given to the Head of the Dog Puller Federation in your country and entered into the country’s ranking table.

Categories
Dogs are divided in categories according to theirs age and height.


 * Puppy category — dogs at the age from 3 to 12 months.
 * Mini category – dogs up to 40 cm at the withers.
 * Mini Drive category – high speed and agility dogs up to 40 cm at the withers.


 * Maxi category – dogs from 40 cm at the withers (40,01 cm and above).
 * Maxi Drive category – high speed and agility dogs from 40 cm at the withers (40,01 cm and above).
 * Drive category – high-speed dogs of such breeds as Border Collie, Kelpie and mixes that was bred specifically for sport.
 * Heavyweight category – Moloss and other dogs that due to theirs breed and physical characteristics are not able to develop high speeds and competitive (in comparison with other categories) agility.
 * Veteran category – dogs at the age from 8 + 1 day years old of all sizes.
 * Dogs of some breeds can be classified by judge as in Maxi category as well in Heavyweight category, depending from its body constitution.

All categories, besides Puppy category, open when at least 7 dogs are there. In case of smaller number of participants, categories combine as follows:


 * Mini category + Mini Drive category
 * Maxi category + Maxi Drive category
 * Maxi Drive category + Drive category
 * Maxi category + Drive category
 * Maxi category + Heavyweight category
 * Veteran category according to the height.

Dog Puller clubs
Official Dog Puller international Facebook page

Dog Puller official website