Practical J-Regs: Changing Game Mid-Retrieve — Instant Elimination?

Welcome to Article 4 in our Practical J-Regs series — a practical breakdown of how judges apply the Kennel Club J Regulations in real-life scenarios.

Today’s focus is a serious and often misunderstood eliminating fault: a dog that changes game mid-retrieve.

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🐕 Scenario: The Dog Drops One Dummy and Picks Another

You’re judging a Novice Retriever Working Test. A retrieve is set up in light cover. Dog 6 is sent and hunts the area. It finds a dummy, picks it, but halfway back drops it, casts around again, and picks a different dummy nearby before delivering to the handler.

The handler appears unaware of the change.

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🧑‍⚖️ Step-by-Step: How the J Regs Apply

📌 1. What Does the Rulebook Say?

J(B)5 – Eliminating Faults “Changing game whilst retrieving” is listed as a clear eliminating fault.

In this case, "game" includes dummies in working tests. Dropping the first dummy to pick another — even if both are valid — constitutes changing game.

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📌 2. Does Intent or Success Matter?

J(A)4.g: "Judges must eliminate dogs for eliminating faults at the time of the fault occurring."

It doesn’t matter:

• Whether the second dummy was closer
• Whether the dog delivered well
• Whether the handler intended the change

The action of changing game once the dog has committed to the first retrieve is what triggers elimination.

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📌 3. What If the Dog Drops the Dummy Accidentally?

Good question.

Judges must decide:

• Was the drop accidental (e.g. caught in brambles, stumbled)?
• Or did the dog consciously release the first item to pick something else?

If the drop appears accidental and the dog returns to the same item, you may mark it down rather than eliminate — especially in Novice.

But if it picks another dummy, it’s a change, and elimination must follow.

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📝 What to Record in the Judges’ Book

• "Changed game mid-retrieve – dropped first dummy, picked another – eliminated under J(B)5"

🧠 Tip: Judges should watch closely — these moments are often subtle and can be missed if not directly observed.

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🧑‍🏫 Handler Takeaway

Changing game often stems from:

• Poor delivery training
• Dogs getting bored/confused mid-return
• Lack of clarity on what is expected

Handlers should:

• Train dogs to commit fully to the first pick
• Avoid practice scenarios where multiple dummies confuse the dog
• Reinforce "once you've picked it, bring it home"

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🧾 Summary Table

Situation	Outcome
Dog picks one dummy and swaps for another	❌ Eliminated (changed game)
Dog drops dummy and picks the same one again	⚠️ Not eliminated — may be marked down
Dog fumbles, carries both dummies, delivers one	❌ Eliminated (carrying more than one item)
Dog picks second dummy without ever picking first	✅ Not a change — may be marked down for not reaching fall

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📚 Further Reading

• Kennel Club J Regulations Mini Guide (2025)
• Eye-Wipes and Elimination Explained
• Beginner’s Guide to the J Regulations

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👉 Stay tuned for Article 5: "Vocal on the Line — When Does Whining or Barking Get You Eliminated?"