Descriptions and performance of the exercises

 

THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES MAY BE USED IN ALL CLASS LEVELS

  1. START - Indicates the beginning of the course.

  2. FINISH - Indicates the end of the course, timing stops.
    3.

  3. HALT - Sit and Forward. While heeling, the handler halts and the dog comes to a sit in the heel position. The team then moves forward toward the next exercise sign (station), with the dog in heel position. (Stationary)

  4. HALT - Down Dog and Forward. While heeling, the handler halts and the dog comes to a sit. The handler then commands the dog to down, followed by the command to heel forward from the down. (Stationary)

  5. Right Turn. Performed as a 90º turn to the right.

  6. Left Turn. Performed as a 90º turn to the left.

  7. About Turn - Right. While heeling, the team makes a 180º about turn to the handler's right.

  8. About "U" Turn. While heeling, the team makes a 180º about turn to the handler's left.

  9. 270° Right Turn. While heeling, the team makes a 270º turn that starts to the handler's right (Figure 1; arrow indicates the path of the team).

  10. 270° Left Turn. While heeling, the team makes a 270º turn that starts to the handler's left (Figure 2; arrow indicates the path of the team).

    11. Figure 1 Figure 2

  11. 360° Right Turn. While heeling, the team makes a 360º turn that starts to the handler's right (Figure 3; arrow indicates the path of the team).

  12. 360° Left Turn. While heeling, the team makes a 360º turn that starts to the handler's left (Figure 4; arrow indicates the path of the team).

    13. Figure 3 Figure 4

  13. Call Dog Front - Forward Right. While heeling, the handler stops his/her forward motion and calls the dog to the front position (dog sits in front and faces the handler). The handler may take several steps backward as the dog turns and moves to a sit in the front position. The second part of the exercise directs the handler to move forward while commanding the dog to move from the front position to the handler's right, around behind the handler and into heel position as the handler continues forward. The dog does not sit before moving forward in heel position with the handler

    14.

  14. Call Dog Front - Forward left. While heeling, the handler stops his/her forward motion and calls the dog to the front position (dog sits in front and faces the handler). The second part of the exercise directs the handler to move forward while commanding the dog to move from the front position to the handler's left, then turning toward the handler and moving into heel position as the handler continues forward. The dog does not sit before moving forward in heel position with the handler

    15.

  15. Call Dog Front - Finish Right. While heeling, the handler stops his/her forward motion and calls the dog to the front position (dog sits in front and faces the handler). The second part is the finish to the right where the dog must return to the heel position by moving around the right side of the handler. Dog must sit in the heel position before moving forward in heel position with the handler. (Stationary)

  16. Call Dog Front - Finish Left. While heeling, the handler stops his/her forward motion and calls the dog to the front position (dog sits in front and faces the handler). The second part is the finish to the left where the dog must move to the hander's left, and sits in the heel position. Dog must sit in the heel position before moving forward in heel position with the handler. (Stationary)

  17. Slow Pace. Dog and handler must slow down noticeably.

  18. Fast Pace. Dog and handler must speed up noticeably.

  19. Normal Pace. Dog and handler must move forward showing willingness and enjoyment, while walking briskly and naturally.

  20. Moving Side Step Right. While heeling, the handler takes a step to the right and forward and then continues along the newly established line. The dog must stay in heel position.

  21. Spiral Right - Dog Outside. This exercise requires three pylons or posts placed in a straight line with spaces between them of approximately 5 - 7 feet. Spiral right indicates the handler must turn to the right when moving around each pylon or post. This places the dog on the outside of the turns. The approaches, spiral patterns and directions of exits are illustrated in Figures 5A & 5B (arrow indicates the path of the team). The exercise sign is placed nearest the first pylon or post (this could be at either end, depending on the approach from the previous exercise) where the spiral is started.

  22. Spiral Left - Dog Inside. This exercise is performed in exactly the same manner as Exercise 19, with the exception that the turns of the spiral are to the handler's left and the dog is on the inside of the turns. Refer to Figure 6 for illustrations of the approaches and spiral pattern of the exercise.

  23. Straight Figure 8. This exercise requires four obstacles (pylons, posts or people) placed in a straight line with spaces between them of approximately 6 - 8 feet. The exercise sign is placed near the first obstacle in the series (this could be at either end, depending on the approach from the previous exercise). Entry into the weaving pattern is with the first obstacle at the dog/handler's left side. The approaches, entrance and weaving pattern are illustrated in Figure 7.

  24. Serpentine. This exercise requires four obstacles (pylons, posts or people) placed in a straight line with spaces between them of approximately 6 - 8 feet. The exercise sign is placed near the first obstacle in the series (this could be at either end, depending on the approach from the previous exercise). Entry into the weaving pattern with the first obstacle at the dog/handler's left side. The approaches, entrance and weaving pattern are illustrated in Figure 7A. It should be noted that in this exercise the team does not turn as they do in the Straight Figure 8.

  25. HALT - 1, 2 and 3 Steps Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler takes one step forward and halts. This is followed by two steps and a halt, and three steps and a halt. The dog heels with the handler and sits each time the handler halts. (Stationary)

  26. With Dog Front - 1, 2 and 3 Steps Backward. With the dog in the front position, the handler takes one step backward and halts. This is followed by two steps and a halt, and three steps and a halt. The dog moves forward and resumes a sit in the front position each time the handler halts. (Stationary)

  27. Moving Down - then Forward. While moving with the dog in heel position, the handler commands the dog to drop into a down position. Once the dog is in the down position, the handler moves forward commanding the dog to heel. (Stationary)

  28. HALT - Fast Forward from Sit. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler commands the dog to heel and immediately moves forward at a fast pace. (Stationary)

  29. Left About Turn. While moving with the dog in the heel position, the handler makes an about turn to the left while at the same time the dog must move around the handler's right and into the heel position. The dog does not sit before moving forward in heel position with the handler

  30. HALT and Walk Around Dog. With dog sitting in the heel position, the handler puts the dog on a sit-stay and proceeds to the left around the dog returning to the heel position. (Stationary)

  31. Halt, Down - Walk Around Dog. With dog sitting in the heel position, the handler puts the dog on a down. Handler proceeds to the left around the dog returning to the heel position. (Stationary)

    32. THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES MAY BE USED IN ADVANCED AND EXCELLENT CLASSES ONLY

  32. Halt - About Turn Right and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler pivots 180º in place to the right and immediately moves forward without again halting. (Stationary)

  33. Halt - About Turn Left and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler pivots 180º in place to the left and immediately moves forward without again halting. (Stationary)

  34. Send Over Jumps - Handler Runs By. While moving with the dog in heel position, the handler directs the dog to take the jump(s). When the dog has completed the jump(s), it is called to the heel position and the team continues to the next exercise.

  35. HALT - Turn Right One Step - Call to Heel. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler pivots to the right and takes one step in that direction. At the same time, he/she calls the dog to the heel position. (Stationary)

  36. HALT - Stand Dog - Walk Around. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler will stand the dog, leave and walk around the dog returning to the heel position. (Stationary)

    37.  

  37. HALT - 90° Pivot Right - HALT and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the team pivots 90º to the right in place, halts, and then moves forward. (Stationary)

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  38. HALT - 90º Pivot Left - HALT and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the team pivots 90º to the left in place, halts, and then moves forward. (Stationary)

  39. Offset Figure 8. This exercise requires loosely covered containers with tempting dog treats and/or toys. These four distractions are arranged as illustrated in Figure 8A. Entry may be between the end bowl and the center bowl on either side. The arrows in Figure 8B illustrate the approaches, weaving pattern and exits of the team.

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  40. HALT - Side-step Right - Call to Heel. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the team moves one step directly to the right and calls the dog to heel. (Stationary)

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  41. Halt - Call Dog Front - Finish Right and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler calls the dog to front. Dog then moves from the front position around the right of the handler into heel position. (Stationary)

  42. Halt - Call Dog Front - Finish Left and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler calls the dog to front. Dog then moves to the handler's left and sits in the heel position. (Stationary)

    43.  

  43. HALT - 180° Pivot Right - HALT and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler pivots 180º in place to the right. The dog moves with the handler and sits in the heel position. The team then moves forward. (Stationary)

    44.  

  44. HALT - 180° Pivot Left - HALT and Forward. With the dog sitting in the heel position, the handler pivots 180º in place to the left. The dog moves with the handler and sits in the heel position. The team then moves forward. (Stationary)

  45. Halt, Down, Sit - With dog sitting in the heel position, the handler puts the dog on a down, then a sit. (Stationary)

    46.  

     

    THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES MAY BE USED IN THE EXCELLENT CLASS ONLY

  46. Halt, Stand, Down - With dog sitting in the heel position the handler puts the dog on a stand, then a down. (Stationary)

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  47. Halt, Stand, Sit - With dog sitting in the heel position the handler puts the dog on a stand, then a sit. (Stationary)

    48.  

  48. Moving stand, Walk around dog, Forward - With no hesitation, the handler will stand the dog, leave and walk around returning to the heel position. (Stationary)

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  49. Backup 3 steps - While heeling, handler backs up 3 steps, then continues heeling. Dog maintains heel position throughout the exercise.

  50. Honor - This exercise will be done on leash. Dog and handler will enter through the finish gate and the handler will put the dog in either a sit or a down in a place designated by the Judge.