The dog will be placed behind the starting line, on a central point marked by a perpendicular line. At the Judge’s signal, the handler will give the dog a command to go away. The dog must go straight ahead and cross the finish line. When the dog has crossed the finish line, the handler will recall the dog back to heel. The dog must return within 20 seconds.

This exercise that has proven to be one of the most difficult to successfully pass, on multiple fields, for many dog/handler teams. In Mondioring, handlers routinely teach their dogs to go away from them, and run to the fence – where a reward of some sort is usually placed. In a trial, the dogs are recalled when they cross the line, and expected to return to the handler (without going to the fence to find their reward!)

• Dog send from inside of a large tent towards the line.
• Dog sent TOWARD a large tent that blocks view of end of field.
• Dog sent toward a long row of pool noodles that block end of field.
• Dog sent toward a collection of props that block view…see below:

The line is marked in the above photo by the red cone. It is in the middle of the field, with the start line back at the other end of the field. Dogs had to run AT the scenario seen in the photo. This completely blocked their view of the fence, where they had been practicing this exercise previously.

Consequently, once this exercise is taught initially, it is quite important to start varying both place and distractions. Many handlers teach a solid cue that indicates to the dog that it is looking at where it needs to go. Some call this a ‘mark’. A well taught mark can be the difference between passing and failing this exercise in a trial on unfamiliar territory.