Submit in Writing
Members should submit their requests for training substitutions to the DOGS-East President in writing or by email.
Training Substitution Guidelines
Guidelines for requesting approval of alternative activities toward DOGS-East training attendance requirements.
Overview
The Standards Committee voted in its June 14, 1997 meeting that members must obtain Board of Directors approval in order for any activities, other than scheduled training sessions, to qualify toward meeting the 50% training attendance requirement.
This procedure took effect at the beginning of the third quarter of 1997. These guidelines define the procedures members should use to ensure that their request can be appropriately reviewed by the Board of Directors.
How to Submit a Request
Submit Promptly
It is recommended that requests be submitted as soon as possible after the substituting activity takes place. However, requests may be submitted at any time before the end of the training quarter.
Same-Quarter Credit Only
Approved training substitutes will be applied only toward the same training quarter in which they occurred.
Required Request Information
Each request should include the following information.
- Date of the scheduled training session being substituted by the alternative activity. This would generally be the training session following a DOGS-East sponsored activity.
- Date that the alternative activity took place.
- Description of the alternative activity. The description should demonstrate what kind of searching or training took place. It does not need to be lengthy.
Example Activity Descriptions
The following examples show the type of information that may be included in a request.
Wilderness Search
Wilderness search at a specific location involving a stated number of hours in the field searching for a lost child, hunter, person with Alzheimer’s, suicide subject, or similar mission.
Water Search
Water search at a specific location involving a stated number of hours searching from a boat or walking along the shoreline.
Demonstration
Demo at a specific location for a stated number of hours. Examples may include motivational training while demonstrating handler and subject runaways, reinforcing the find/indication/refind sequence, strengthening dog socialization around crowds, or practicing obedience while the handler speaks with the audience.
Evaluation Subject
Serving as a subject for a 40 or 160 acre evaluation at a specific location. This may include walking along for a portion of the evaluation and observing strategy, tactics, handler/dog skills, map and compass work, land navigation, or related skills.
Sponsored Course
Attending an MSO, GSAR, or similar course sponsored by ASRC, DEM, or another organization at a specific location for a stated number of hours.
Decision Timeline
Decisions on all requests will be made by the Board of Directors within two weeks after the request is submitted or at the end of the quarter, whichever is soonest.
The Training Director will inform the member of the Board of Directors decision.