Positive Petzine

(c) 2008 A. Bindoff

This is the test I plan to use for my summer school and reactive dog classes this summer. I haven't published all the specifics on how to teach these exercises, but they are all designed to be taught using positive reinforcement. You can find the Area Search instructions at www.clickertraining.com Google "Two Ball Game" or get "Schutzhund Obedience - Training in Drive" by Booth and Dildei. The Recalls I start off using the instructions in the Training Levels program found at http://www.dragonflyllama.com Loose leash I just use clicker training, Penalty Yards and a very high rate of reinforcement.

These exercises are "reactive dog-friendly" (which is not an oxymoron).

Recalls

30 points

General Deductions: 30 points if leash is used deliberately to cue dog

On 10m or 30' Leash. Leash must not be used for anything other than safety.

1.1 Handler holds leash and dog 9m from helper. Helper blows whistle, dog must respond quickly, going to helper. Handler then calls dog using a single verbal cue. Repeat x3.

Deductions: 1 point for each lap that is not completed within 5 seconds (actual time yet to be determined) for a maximum of 6 point deductions.

1.2 Same as 1.1 but with a second helper offering food half way between handler and first helper.

Deductions: 1 point for each lap that is not completed within 5 seconds
1 point for each lap where dog attempts to take food (note: helper must never allow dog to actually take food)

1.3 Same as 1.2 but with helper holding ball

Deductions: 1 point for each lap that is not completed within 5 seconds
1 point for each lap where dog attempts to take ball (note: helper must never allow dog to actually take ball)

Loose Leash

36 points

General Deductions - 3 points for safety violations

2.1 Using a 4' (1.2m) leash, handler walks dog to bowl of food 30' (10m) away.

Deductions: 1 point each time leash straightens
2 points each time handler speeds up to compensate for dog (note: no deduction if handler stops, then resumes)

2.2 Two dog and handler teams complete a course in parallel, maintaining a distance of 2-3 leash lengths. Course is forward 10m, right about turn, forward 10m, left about turn, forward 10m

Deductions: 1 point each time leash straightens

2.3 Two dog and handler teams walk towards each other from 10m apart, maintaining a distance of 2-3 leash lengths between each other laterally

Deductions: 1 point each time leash straightens

2.4 One team completes a heeling pattern (yet to be determined) while another team plays tug with an on-leash dog

Deductions: 1 point each time leash straightens

2.5 Short heeling pattern while bike passes at speed across path, from behind and from in front

Deductions: 1 point each time leash straightens

Area Search

12 points

May be performed on a long leash, or off-leash. Leash must not be used for anything other than safety.

3.1 With dog facing handler at any edge of a 5m x 5m ring, grass surface, judge gives signal, handler throws a peg or teaspoon at least 2m away. Dog must remain facing handler until a second judge's signal is given shortly after.
2 minutes is given to find and indicate the article.
Ring is indicated by 8 cones, 8 stakes or rope.

Deductions: 1 point for every 10 seconds after 30 seconds if item is not indicated correctly
3 points if article is not thrown a sufficient distance
3 points if handler gives any cues to dog other than an initial "seek" cue
2 points if judge determines indication behavior to be too weak

Ball Retrieve

May be performed on a long leash, or off-leash. Leash must not be used for anything other than safety.

4.1 Playing the "Two Ball Game", dog must drop ball on verbal or visual cue at feet

20 points

Deductions: 1 point for every 30cm away from handler that ball is dropped
1 point for every second taken to release ball after 3 seconds
3 points if ball is not thrown at least 5m

4.2 Playing the "Two Ball Game", dog must drop ball on verbal or visual cue at half-way point on return

Deductions: 1 point for every seconds taken to release ball after cue is given
2 points if handler fails to cue within reasonable proximity to half-way point
3 points if ball is not thrown at least 5m

4.3 Playing the "Two Ball Game", dog must hold ball upon return until judge's signal to release

Deductions: 1 point for every second taken to release ball within 3 seconds after judge's signal is given
1 point for every 30cm away from handler that ball is dropped
3 points if ball is not thrown at least 5m