The dog does not come back over to the handler. The handler goes to the dog and heels the dog away. The length from side to side is 3 meters, approximately 10 feet. When the dog reaches the other side of the 2.25 meters a stay command is given and at the judges signal another command is given to the dog to jump back. When all three jump exercises are over, the team returns to the judge and is signaled off the field.
All male dogs use the same search area and females use another.
The only time a search area changes for each sex is if one of the dogs or females urinates or defecates on the area. The articles used may be coins, bullet casings, steel buttons or unbreakable plastic, just to name a few. The time for this exercise is 10 minutes. If the dog is just walking or looking around, points will be deducted. The dog must be using it's nose.