Hi Paula,
The rules for RATG are posted on the ANKC website at
http://www.ankc.org.au/Rules.aspxAs you have only had one Novice RATG pass you can enter the Novice level unless you have gained one of the titles listed below.
Below is the eligibility rule
2.3. To be eligible to compete in a Novice Retrieving Ability Test, a dog must not have received
three passes in Novice Retrieving Ability Tests under at least two Judges or gained any of the
following Titles as defined in the Rules for the Conduct of Retrieving Trials for Gundogs
(effective 1 Jan 2010) – DM, CM, QND, NRD, RRD, AARD, RT CH, Nat RT CH, Grand RT
CH.
2.4. To be eligible to compete in an Open Retrieving Ability Test, a dog must have received three
passes in Novice Retrieving Ability Tests or have gained any of the following Titles as defined
in the Rules for the Conduct of Retrieving Trials for Gundogs (effective 1 Jan 2010) – DM,
CM, QND, NRD, RRD, AARD, RT CH, Nat RT CH, Grand RT CH.
There is no reference to food reward in the rules but a Judge could ask that food reward is not used especially in the actual exercise.
After the exercise is finished the dog is no longer in competition so food reward could be allowed.
As a judge myself I don't like food rewards but some competitors do use it even in Retrieving Trials after the dog has completed the run and no longer in competition.
There is no area on the score sheet for a deduction but it could be something a judge may ask competitors not to do if they felt very strongly about it.
I know it is used a lot in Obedience but I would rather see a dog doing something because they want to do it not because they are going to get some food.
Happy to talk about it further at a trial in the future.
Margaret Hall