AKC GUIDELINES AKC JUDGING GUIDELINES FOR ELECTRONIC TIMERS: Dogs that run past the last obstacle will not be faulted for failure to complete the course as long as they come back and complete the obstacle prior to the dog exiting the ring. The time will continue to run until the dog has completed the obstacle. Handlers who opt not to finish the course should then be faulted for failure to complete the course. Dogs that run past the last obstacle and then back jump the last obstacle will be assessed a refusal/run-out and a wrong course fault. Since the electronic timer will be tripped when the dog back jumps the last obstacle, the timer will hit the restart button as soon as the wrong course occurs so that the time will continue until the dog has completed the last obstacle. Once a dog has crossed the plane of the first obstacle, handlers are not permitted to re-set their dogs at the start. Handlers are expected to run with their dogs at that time. Handlers who re-set their dogs will be promptly excused for training in the ring. Handlers are expected to treat the first obstacle just as any other obstacle where the dog has performed a run-out while running the course. Since the start line is the first obstacle, handlers may set their dogs when starting, at any distance from the approach side of the first jump, but the dog must remain inside the ring.