Reasons we believe the off-leash group stay exercises should be modified:

We feel the time has come to modify the Group Stays, as they have historically been done, in the interest of safety to dogs and humans. We need to make the sport fair for our dogs who trust us to keep them safe.

• Instances of dog on dog attacks and dogs interfering with other dogs during the off-leash stays continues to be an ongoing problem. An attack or interference is a detriment and can be a career ending event.

We feel that handlers cannot train for something they cannot control. Handler’s efforts, hard work, etc., can be nullified, and the outcome of their score defined, because of issues that occur in the Group Ring.  

• No handler can be held responsible, nor control, the temperament or quality of training of another exhibitor’s dog.   

Exhibitors showing multiple dogs are oftentimes forced to rely on other people to handler their dogs in order to eliminate conflicts and complete the required group stay exercise. 

• In these situations, dogs are being handled by strangers who don’t have the same relationship, or the same protocol with the dog, having the potential for insecure behavior.  

We offer the following suggestions to modify the exercises. We want to continue to show what well-trained dogs are capable of and keep the level and quality of competition high:

Suggestions for Novice/any class that currently requires completion of off-leash, in-sight group stay exercises.

1. On leash group stays using a 6-foot leash held by handlers.
2. Finish individual exercises, go to a “stay” ring - do stays, for whatever duration is deemed appropriate, in whatever form is deemed appropriate, with just 1 dog in the stay ring - no group.
3. Moving Sit (stay) or Moving Down (stay). The handler would be heeling and on judge's cue,  command their dog to sit or down, walk around the ring and return to heel position; or, have the handler walk to the opposite side of the ring, turn and face their dog - wait some period of time, until the judge signals them to return to their dog. 

 Suggestions for Open/any class that currently requires completion of out-of-sight group stay exercises.

1. Moving Sit (stay) or Moving Down (stay). Similar to what is proposed for Novice, but distance/duration increased.
2. Finish individual exercises, go to a “stay” ring - do stays, for whatever duration is deemed appropriate, in whatever form is deemed appropriate, with just 1 dog in the stay ring - no group
3. At the end of the individual exercises, dog remains in a sit or down (determined prior to class begins) in a designated spot, while the handler goes to get the leash and returns to the dog.

Petition Supporters:
Bridget Carlsen, Joanne Doucet, Janice Gunn, Victory Hulett, Tracie Kolnsberg, Judy Ramsey