OBJECTIVES

This level is aimed at those handlers who are primarily seeking to improve their skills and experience in training their dog, provide opportunities for their dog to socialise or who are not yet ready to enter obedience trials. Handlers should aim to achieve greater stability and reliability in all exercises with the dog working willingly and confidently, with minimal reinforcement required. The dog should largely work in the correct heel position. Stays should be reliable with only one command required.

The emphasis is on recognising the skills and experience gained by the handler in training their dog, while strengthening the team work between them.

NEW EXERCISES INTRODUCED

The clicker training method is used for the introduction of each new exercise.

New exercises at this level include:

1. Heel work:

- figure of eight heeling around people (not off-lead)
- using voice or hand signals only
- techniques for improving heel position
- limited heel free at slow and normal pace
- counter marching - with other handlers and dogs

2. Stand for exam with handler at the end of a loose lead. Return around the back of the dog.

3. Stand stay - 10 secs, handler 2 paces in front with lead on ground. Return around the back of the dog.

4. Drop on recall

5. Increased distraction training in stays

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENT

An assessment day will be held in the last week of the session. Handlers will be assessed on:

1. Controlled walking:

Heel on lead at a high level: The dog must work willingly without lead control or luring with treats or aids, while undertaking the following exercises:

a) Normal, slow and fast paces, with automatic sits and downs and stands on the move at all three paces
b) Left and right turns
c) Either left about "U" turn or left about pivot turn (handler's choice) and right about turn
d) figure of eight pattern with an automatic sit or stand on the move

Heel off lead at slow and normal pace - pattern should be limited, but include a down and stand on the move, with automatic sits.

2. Stand for Examination: Handler at the end of a loose lead, dog to be examined in the STAND position and not show undue resentment or shyness. Return around the back of the dog.

3. Recall: 12 metres off lead to a 'sit in front' of the handler (drop on recall is not to be tested).

4. Stand Stay: Handler at the end of loose lead. Return around back of dog. Assessor walks around dog and handler at a distance of not less than 1 metre.

5. Finish: On lead, handler 's choice of either the around the back or continental finish- not at the end of the recall.

6. Sit Stay*: 1 minute - lead on the ground, handler, 6 metres away. Return around back of dog.

7. Down Stay*: 3 minutes - lead on the ground, handler, 6 metres away. Return around back of dog.

*Stays are completed as a group exercise, with dogs approximately 1.5m apart.