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How to Enter and Navigate the GACGLV AKC Scent Work Trial: A Step-by-Step Guide

Entering your dog in an official American Kennel Club (AKC) Scent Work trial requires careful attention to deadlines, rules, and procedures. This guide will walk you through the entire process for the Gamblers Agility Club of Greater Las Vegas (GACGLV) trial happening February 21-22, 2026.

Part 1: Before You Enter – Confirm Eligibility & Read Key Documents

Step 1: Ensure Your Dog is Eligible

Your dog must meet these criteria:

  • Age: At least 6 months old.
  • Registration: Registered with the AKC through one of these programs:
    • Regular AKC Registration
    • Limited Registration
    • Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privileges (PAL/ILP)
    • AKC Canine Partners
    • Foundation Stock Service (FSS)
  • Note: Dogs entered via PAL/ILP or AKC Canine Partners must be spayed or neutered.
  • Physical Condition: The premium list clearly states that dogs with physical challenges, including amputees, deaf dogs, and blind dogs, are eligible. However, the dog must show no sign of discomfort, be able to perform safely, and be under the handler’s control.

Step 2: Understand Your Dog’s Correct Class Level

  • Novice A: For dogs that have not yet earned an AKC Scent Work title and the handler has not previously handled a dog to a title.
  • Novice B: For all other handlers/dog teams.
  • Advanced, Excellent, Master, etc.: Require specific qualifying titles earned in the lower level.
  • Key Rule: A dog may enter two different levels within each element (e.g., Novice Containers and Advanced Buried) but can only be entered in Novice A OR Novice B, not both.

Step 3: Download the Official Rules

Before you fill out any forms, read the official rulebook. You can download the Regulations for AKC Scent Work from the link in the premium list or directly: http://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/RSW001.pdf.

Part 2: How and When to Submit Your Entry

This is the most critical step. Missing a deadline or making a procedural error will get your entry returned.

Crucial Deadlines & Method

  • Entries OPEN: Monday, December 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
    • Entries received before this date and time will be returned unprocessed.
  • Entries CLOSE: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
    • No entries are accepted after this time.
  • Entry Method: FIRST RECEIVED
    This is a rolling admission. Entries are processed in the order they are received by the Trial Secretary, not postmarked. To secure a spot, your entry must be in the mail early enough to arrive on or just after the opening date.

Two Ways to Enter

  1. Online (Recommended & Fastest):
  2. By Mail (Traditional):
    • Mail To: Steve Herwig, 3717 Mountcrest Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89121.
    • Make Checks Payable To: “GACGLV.”
    • Critical for Overnight/Certified Mail: You must sign the “No Signature Required” waiver. If a signature is required, the delivery attempt may fail, and your entry could be delayed past the deadline.

Common Entry Mistakes to Avoid

  • Illegible Handwriting: Illegible forms will be returned.
  • Incorrect Payment: Returned checks are considered an invalid entry and incur a $25 collection fee.
  • Early or Late Submission: Mailing too early or too late will get your entry returned.
  • Conditional Entries: Any entry with special conditions written on it will be rejected.
  • Wrong Class Selection: Double-check you’ve selected the correct level (A or B) and element boxes on the form.

Part 3: At the Trial – What to Expect & How to Prepare

Day-of-Event Schedule

  • Check-In: 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. each day at the secretary’s table in the staging area. You must check in each day you are entered to get your armband.
  • Handler’s Briefing: 8:30 a.m. each day. No dogs are allowed at the briefing. The judge will explain the specific rules for the first class.
  • Judging Starts: Immediately after the Handler’s Briefing.
  • Trial Hours:
    • Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Key Site Information & Rules

  • Location: Dani Kear Residence, 4099 West Silverado Ranch Blvd., Las Vegas, NV.
  • Crating: No indoor crating space. You must crate your dog in your vehicle in the designated lot. Be prepared for very little shade.
  • Clean-Up: You are 100% responsible for cleaning up after your dog. Supplies are provided.
  • No Scouting: Do not visit the trial location before the event date.
  • No On-Site Training: Training with target odors is strictly prohibited anywhere on the grounds except in the designated warm-up area.

Handling Between Runs

  • Staging Area: This is where you wait. It will be out of view of the active search areas.
  • Warm-Up Area: The club will provide containers with the day’s target odors. Limit your warm-up to 2 minutes or less to allow others to use it.
  • Spectating: You may watch other teams only after you have completed your run in that class.

Part 4: Important Policies, Refunds, and Awards

Waitlist, Refunds, & Move-Ups

  • Waitlist: The club maintains a waitlist of up to 10 entries per day. To be on it, your entry must still be received before the closing date (Feb 11).
  • Refunds: After the closing date, refunds are only given for:
    • Bitches in Season: Full refund if the secretary is notified in writing at least 30 minutes before the first class of the day.
    • Medical Withdrawal (after closing): 50% refund for injury/illness.
    • Waitlist Replacement: If your withdrawn entry is filled from the waitlist, you get a full refund.
  • Move-Ups: If you qualify to move up a level from Saturday to Sunday, you may submit a Move-Up Form. It must be hand-delivered to the secretary within 30 minutes after the last class ends on Saturday. No email submissions.

Ribbons & Awards

  • Placement Ribbons: Blue (1st), Red (2nd), Yellow (3rd), White (4th), Dark Green (Qualifying Score).
  • Title Rosettes: Awarded for completing a new title.
  • High in Trial (HIT): Awarded to the dog/handler team with the lowest combined faults across all four elements (Buried, Container, Exterior, Interior) at the same difficulty level (e.g., all Excellent). Time is the tie-breaker.

Safety & Liability

By entering, you agree to hold the club, AKC, and property owner harmless for any loss or injury. You are solely responsible for your dog’s behavior and readiness. Aggressive dogs may be removed.

This guide covers the essential steps from entry to competition day. For the most official and complete information, always refer to the original premium list and the AKC Scent Work Regulations.

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