Youth & Amateur Divisions

These divisions are designed to build strong foundational skills while testing the teamwork between handler and K9.

In the Youth and Amateur Protection Divisions, K9s are evaluated on:

· Defensive drive

· Control and obedience

· Prey drive

· Food, tug, and ball refusal

· Willingness to protect the handler

For safety purposes, Youth Division scenarios may be performed with the K9 wearing a muzzle if the handler is unable to fully control the dog.
Amateur Division scenarios are performed without a muzzle. 

 Semi-Pro Division

The Semi-Pro Division introduces more advanced protection scenarios focused on real-world applications and increased pressure. K9s are evaluated on:

· Vehicle protection

· Bicycle attack scenarios

· Two-man attack scenarios

· Call off exercises

Pro Division

The Pro Division is designed to test elite-level working K9s in high-pressure and demanding scenarios. K9s are evaluated on:

· Courage

· Speed and intensity

· Control and obedience under pressure

· Execution of duties

· Call off performance

· Surprise or secret scenarios

Secret Scenarios

K9 Gladiators may feature special or surprise scenarios during competition events. These scenarios are designed to test the handler and K9’s adaptability, control, courage, and overall performance under realistic conditions.

Possible secret scenarios may include:

1.    Picket Line

2.    Garden Blower Attack

3.    Six-Blind Search

4.    Civil Defense

5.    Palisade and Long Jump

6.    Bicycle Attack

7.    Three-Man Attack

8.    Vehicle Theft

9.    Water Hose Attack

10. Decoy Distractions

11. Attempted Dog Theft During Stakeout

Agility Obstacles May Include:

· Window Jump

· Tunnel

· Hurdle

· A-Frame

· Swimming Pool

· Fire Wall

Obedience Scenarios

K9 Gladiators is a unique K9 sport designed to keep obedience exercises as realistic and practical as possible. Our obedience scenarios test the overall coordination, control, teamwork, and training level between handler and K9 under real-world style conditions.

Exercises may include:

· Right turns

· Left turns

· About turns

· Fast pace

· Slow pace

· Normal pace

· Sit in motion

· Down in motion

· Stand in motion

· Recall

· Change of positions

· Precision heeling

· Long down

· Food refusal

· Agility exercises

· Environmental and decoy distractions

These scenarios are designed to challenge handlers and K9s across all divisions, including Youth, Amateur, Semi-Pro, and Pro levels.

Distraction Defense Scenario/ Attack On The Handler

The handler and K9 will heel to a designated starting point. The K9 must remain in the heel position until the field judge asks if the team is ready. Once ready, the handler will place their pivot foot on the designated marker and may not lift or move that foot during the exercise. The handler may pivot in a full 360-degree motion while remaining planted.

After the handler alerts the K9 toward the decoy, the decoy will attempt to distract and befriend the K9 using items such as food, a ball, tug, sleeve, powder, or a 4-inch joust stick. The decoy will then attempt to touch the handler with the joust stick.

Equipment:

· Flat collar only

· One 6-foot leash

Rules:

1.    The handler may not duck, dodge, or avoid the joust stick.

2.    Once the handler’s pivot foot is placed on the designated spot, it may not be lifted or moved.

3.    The handler may not restrain the K9 from engaging distractions.

4.    Once alerted, the K9 must remain focused on the decoy/threat.

5.    The handler must secure the leash and hand at the waist with no forward or backward movement.

6.    One alert command is allowed without deduction. Additional commands result in deductions.

7.    The decoy will throw three distraction items toward the K9.

8.    If the K9 eats food or engages with the tug or ball, 50% of the points will be deducted.

9.    If the handler is touched with the joust stick within 30 seconds, the team is disqualified (DQ).

10. Excessive handler assistance will result in major deductions or DQ.

11. The exercise lasts 30 seconds. Teams that successfully complete the scenario receive full points.

12. Starting without the field judge’s signal results in automatic DQ.

Call Off

The handler and K9 will stand at a designated starting point behind a starting line. A call-off line will also be marked. The decoy will agitate the K9 for approximately 30 seconds, then move away and return toward the team while verbally surrendering by saying,
“I give up.”

The K9 must not bite the decoy.

K9 Gladiators takes pride in including a call off exercise in every division. We believe that if a handler can send a K9 to engage, the handler should also be able to call the K9 off with control and reliability.

Trial Attire

All K9 Gladiators competitors handling a K9 during competition are required to wear appropriate athletic clothing suitable for weather conditions, safety, and performance.

The following attire is prohibited during trials:

· Ragged or excessively torn clothing

· Flip-flops

· Dress shoes

· Open-toed shoes or sandals

· High heels

· Clothing displaying offensive or hateful language or imagery

Competitors are expected to wear standard athletic attire that allows safe and professional participation during all events and scenarios.

K9 Gladiators encourages all competitors to present themselves professionally and recommends wearing club apparel or official K9 Gladiators shirts whenever possible.

The judge or steward may require a competitor to change any attire deemed inappropriate in order to maintain the professional image and standards of K9 Gladiators.

Drug & Alcohol Policy

The use or possession of alcohol, marijuana, or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at all K9 Gladiators events. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Any K9 Gladiators judge, staff member, or steward who observes such conduct has the authority to issue an immediate suspension on-site. A written report will also be submitted to the Grievance Committee for further disciplinary review and possible additional action.