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Beginners

Obedience is a mandatory requirement for any pet dog. The team must be able to perform sit, stay, down, come and heel under various distractions. All obedience tasks will be tested with some sort of distraction. The distractions can include "joggers", cats, livestock, children, motorcycles, balls, toys, other dogs on leash.  There will be an approachability test. This means that someone will be within reach of the dog and that the dog chooses not to bite. Beginners will be on leash at all times. Entrants should present their dog on a regular choke chain, and a flat leather or nylon collar. If the contestant wants to present the dog on a "prong" collar and flat collar, he or she may, taking an automatic 5 point deduction. The dogs collar will not be allowed to be changed between the obedience and protection portions of the trial. Each entrant must present their dogs on a stout 6 foot lead, made out of any material other than chain. Retractable or "flexi" leads are not permitted, neither are clip style collars.

Beginners Protection

Car agitation with no bite

Handler and dog are in a vehicle. A decoy without a protective suit, but wearing a hidden sleeve for safety, will approach, first friendly, then aggressive. Dog should show determination to protect both handler and vehicle, and be able to move with the vehicle to protect from both sides and rear. Exercise will be terminated when decoy flees. Handler and dog will exit the car, and the dog must show good heeling skills after the exit.

Civil Agitation

Dog is restrained by a stout line and flat collar. Line will be provided by hosting club. These lines will be inspected after each dog to ensure their continued safety value. Dog will also be restrained by the handler holding his own leash. Decoy will approach with no visible signs of protective equipment, but will be wearing a hidden sleeve in case of equipment breakage, or other accident. The decoy will yell, threaten, attempt to scare away the dog. The dog must vigorously defend the handler with barking, lunging and attempts to bite. The dog will be judged on the ability to control the strength of the dog, losing points if the dog makes the handler lose their footing, or fall. In the case of a handler fall, the exercise is terminated immediately. In the case of a dog that fails to protect, a judges' horn will sound, and the decoy will go into a "training" mode, to bring the dog back into a good frame of mind. During the exercise, the decoy will be asked to avoid all indications of 'protection" agitation, instead focusing on "normal" aggressive behavior.

Handler protection

The dog will be placed in a down or sit by the handler. The handler will walk away from his dog to the end of his 6 foot leash, keeping the end of it securely in his/her hand. A fully suited decoy will appear, walking calmly towards the handler. The dog must remain in place while the decoy approaches. The handler may give extra commands, but these will be penalized. After a short conversation, the decoy will violently attack the handler. The dog must immediately go to bite. The dog will be judged on his ability to stay calm and focused during the approach of the decoy, and his ability to quickly defend the handler when necessary. The handler must remain in control of the situation, with points being lost if the leash is dropped, if the handler falls after the dog has bitten, or if the handler cannot hold his position during the bite. After the judges horn, the handler will yell to the decoy to stand still, or similar command. The decoy will "give up" but will not stand still. He or she will try to get away from the handler and dog, acting as if they are really hurt. The dog must be made to out. The handler may utilize the leash, but will lose points if the dog does not out on voice command only.