[Argus]

Actually it was passed down from the FCI Working Commission that "star gazing" wasn't going to be required to receive full points in heeling. It will be left up to the individual countries to adopt this for VPG/SchH.

While at the club level these new guidelines may be followed but at National Events there has to be something that seperates the high V rated obedience from the rest of the pack so I wouldn't expect to see much of a difference in the near future as to the way trials are judged in phase B.

As for the rules stating direct eye contact you're correct there is no "written" requirement but there has been an unwritten rule for many years. If a dog wants to offer that sort of heeling without going to war to constantly keep them in position great but otherwise I'd pick a different battle to concentrate on winning. There's always a trade-off somewhere. Cause and effect.