Grade Two

Junior Retriever  -  the field test

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Grade Two?

Stop Whistle

Off lead heelwork

Steadiness

Delivery to hand

Retrieving from cover

Hand signals

 OBJECTIVES

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. 

SET-UP

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.  One field test pass is required by your dog in order  to achieve the Grade Two Junior Retriever award

OBEDIENCE

Part A is in four sections

• HEEL: The handler is required to walk his dog at heel without a lead from the line to the 30-yard sit marker. Maximum points for the heel - 15. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler, or poor positioning of the dog.

• SIT & 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

• 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.   Maximum points for the recall - 15. 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

• 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. Maximum points for the ‘stop’  15

   

   

   

  
  Total possible points for obedience 60

RETRIEVING

Part B consists of four retrieves in  three sections

·         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.

·         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.

·         DIRECTIONS  -  single 20 yard  retrieve either  right or left   -   two dummies are thrown 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.

 Maximum points for each retrieve is 15. Delivery to hand is essential.