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Is my dog ready?
This grade seeks to establish
that the retriever is able to mark with confidence
at increasing distances, and is beginning to use his
nose when necessary to help him find the dummy.
It also establishes the beginnings of memory work
and of growing partnership between the dog and the handler.
The test set-up is very
simple. There is a starting line which the
handler may not cross unless requested to do so by
the assessor. There are three marker posts: a sit' marker' 30 yards
from the line, a start marker on the line
itself, and a 'stop marker mid-way between the
two. Retrieves are hand thrown by an assistant.
The dog must be off the lead for the duration of the
test. No collars are permitted
Check
below to find out just what is required.
Obedience
Section One -
Heelwork::
The
handler is required to walk his dog at heel without
a lead from the line to the 30-yard sit marker.
Points will be lost for repeated commands from the
handler, or poor positioning of the dog.
Section Two - Sit and Stay:
The handler is required to sit the dog at the
30-yard marker with a single sit command and to
return to the line without the dog. Maximum
points for the sit - 5. Points will be lost for a
slow response, or multiple commands.
The dog must remain seated for three minutes.
Maximum points for the stay - 10. Points will
be lost if the dog stands up, or creeps. No
further commands may be given.
Section Three -
Recall:
The
handler whilst standing at the starting post, will
be required to recall the dog by whistle from the
sit marker by whistle. The dog must return to
the heel position on recall without fuss, delay or
excessive commands. Points will be lost for
repeated commands from the handler and for slow or
erratic returns, or for any lack of control on
arrival of the dog.
Section Four -
The stop:
The handler is required to walk to the 30 yard
stop marker with the dog at heel. As the pair
pass the 15 yard stop marker the handler must
blow the stop whistle and carry on walking
without a pause. The dog must drop
promptly into the sitting position when the
whistle is blown and remain there as the
handler walks on to and around the 30 yard
marker and returns to the dog. The handler
then heels the dog back to the line.
Each obedience section is worth 15 marks -
total 60
Retrieving
Section One - Memory
A single 'Go-back' retrieve is carried out at the
end of the Obedience section. The handler is
given a dummy and walks the dog at heel from the
starting post to the 30-yard marker. The
handler drops the dummy at the 30-yard marker and
returns to the starting post. Without undue
delay, the assessor will instruct the handler to
send the dog for the retrieve.
Section
Two -
Marking
Two
marked retrieves Mark 1 A single retrieve on
land and in clear view at 50 yards. Mark
2 A single retrieve on land and in short cover at 50
yards.
Section
Three - Directions
A
single 20 yard retrieve either
right or left: two dummies are thrown,
one to
either side of the dog who is facing the handler.
The dog must remain steady whilst the dummies are
thrown and must fetch the dummy requested by the
assessor on a hand signal from the handler. The
handler is situated three to five yards from the
dog. The dog is positioned with his back to a fence,
hedge or similar barrier.
The dog must remain steady at the handler’s side whilst each dummy is
thrown. The handler must not move around during the
retrieve.
Each of the retrieves is worth
up to 15 marks - total 60
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