AN INTRODUCTION TO WORKING TRIALS (CLASSIC) COMPETITIONS
Article submitted by Gerry Wade
WHAT IS COMPANION DOG (CD)?
Companion Dog (CD) is the first test of the Working Trials (Classic) competitions. The purpose of the exercise is to demonstrate the usefulness of the dog as the companion of man.
The test comprises of 3 groups adding up to 100 marks.
GROUP 1: Control (65 marks)
Heel on lead, this is a short heel pattern, a relaxed walk with the dog by the handlers left side passing a group of people or through a gate, passed a barking dog or any minor distraction.
Heel off lead the same as for on lead.
Recall to handler: this is like an obedience novice recall.
Retrieve the handlers dumbbell.
Send away (the most difficult part of control). The dog is sent approximately 20m, downed and then recalled.
Down stay 10mins out of sight.
GROUP 2 : Agility (20 marks)
A-frame, which is 1.6m at the top, the dog must go over and stay in any position on the other side, the handler is commanded forward by the steward and will be instructed to call the dog to heel, as in an obedience A recall.
Clear jump is 70cm and the dog must jump the jump and wait on the other side for the handler to return to its side.
Long jump is 1.4m long and the dog must clear the jump and await the handler.
GROUP 3: Nosework (15 marks)
Elementary search (this is the most fun) with a demarcated area of 15mX15m. The handler is given an article to scent for a minute. The article is placed in the area without the handler or dog watching; the handler is not allowed into the area but must send the dog in to find the article within 2 minutes.
This is CD which is fun and quite informal, often held on farm land. It also holds a title. If a handler and dog qualify (i.e. 80%), CD can be added to the list of qualifications on its registration If the handler and dog qualify with over 90%, then the Qualification CDEX (Companion dog excellent) can be added.
PROGRESSING TO TRACKER DOG (TD) AND POLICE DOG (PD):
Once a dog has qualified CD, they can progress to Tracker Dog 1 (TD1), which then brings in tracking which is very rewarding. From tracker Dog 1, the progression is to Tracker Dog 2 (TD2), which has a longer, more difficult track and a more difficult search, the jumps are higher and longer. After the Tracker Dog 2 qualification, the handler may enter Tracker Dog 3 or PD (Police Dog). PD is the only test which involves man work, slightly different than IPO man work, but very practical and fun.
Each test holds a registration qualification, so if a handler only wants to go as far as TD2 and he qualifies then he will have a TD2 qualification on his dog’s registration certificate. If a dog and handler have qualified TD3 or PD three times, they hold a Working Trials Championship status.
WHAT IS COMPANION DOG (CD)?
Companion Dog (CD) is the first test of the Working Trials (Classic) competitions. The purpose of the exercise is to demonstrate the usefulness of the dog as the companion of man.
The test comprises of 3 groups adding up to 100 marks.
GROUP 1: Control (65 marks)
Heel on lead, this is a short heel pattern, a relaxed walk with the dog by the handlers left side passing a group of people or through a gate, passed a barking dog or any minor distraction.
Heel off lead the same as for on lead.
Recall to handler: this is like an obedience novice recall.
Retrieve the handlers dumbbell.
Send away (the most difficult part of control). The dog is sent approximately 20m, downed and then recalled.
Down stay 10mins out of sight.
GROUP 2 : Agility (20 marks)
A-frame, which is 1.6m at the top, the dog must go over and stay in any position on the other side, the handler is commanded forward by the steward and will be instructed to call the dog to heel, as in an obedience A recall.
Clear jump is 70cm and the dog must jump the jump and wait on the other side for the handler to return to its side.
Long jump is 1.4m long and the dog must clear the jump and await the handler.
GROUP 3: Nosework (15 marks)
Elementary search (this is the most fun) with a demarcated area of 15mX15m. The handler is given an article to scent for a minute. The article is placed in the area without the handler or dog watching; the handler is not allowed into the area but must send the dog in to find the article within 2 minutes.
This is CD which is fun and quite informal, often held on farm land. It also holds a title. If a handler and dog qualify (i.e. 80%), CD can be added to the list of qualifications on its registration If the handler and dog qualify with over 90%, then the Qualification CDEX (Companion dog excellent) can be added.
PROGRESSING TO TRACKER DOG (TD) AND POLICE DOG (PD):
Once a dog has qualified CD, they can progress to Tracker Dog 1 (TD1), which then brings in tracking which is very rewarding. From tracker Dog 1, the progression is to Tracker Dog 2 (TD2), which has a longer, more difficult track and a more difficult search, the jumps are higher and longer. After the Tracker Dog 2 qualification, the handler may enter Tracker Dog 3 or PD (Police Dog). PD is the only test which involves man work, slightly different than IPO man work, but very practical and fun.
Each test holds a registration qualification, so if a handler only wants to go as far as TD2 and he qualifies then he will have a TD2 qualification on his dog’s registration certificate. If a dog and handler have qualified TD3 or PD three times, they hold a Working Trials Championship status.