Working Trials are a competitive sport based on the civilian equivalent of police dog work. They develop and test many of your dogs basic skills. These include obedience, control, intelligence and independence, searching and tracking, agility and fitness. Competetive trials can be physically demanding for both dog and handler, but are fun and extremely rewarding.

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Because of the demands of working trials, it is expected that both you and your dog have attended our - or other - agility training. At RVDAC, we offer working trial training during the winter months once the Agility season has finished. This is usually towards the end of October after the clean down. 

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Working trials are broken down into three main parts:

 

1. Nosework

Nosework comprises search and track exercises. The dog follows a track laid by a 'tracklayer' walking a set pattern. In competition these tracks will be designed by the judge and identical for each dog. As the dog follows the track it has to seek out and recover articles placed along the track by the tracklayer.

 

The other component of nosework is 'search' where the dog has to search for and retrieve articles placed in a marked area.

 

2. Agility

In competition, a dog's agility is tested by judging its ability to clear three obstacles - a three foot hurdle, a six foot high wooden scale and a nine foot long jump. At RVDAC, we offer training in these obstacles.

 

3. Control

There are various exercises in this section:

Heelwork - the dog must walk with its shoulder reasonably close to the handler while the handler navigates their way around people and obstacles at different speeds.

Sendaway - involves sending the dog away across a minimum distance of 50 yards, the handler will then redirect the dog through a series of commands.

Retrieving a Dumbbell - the dog must retrieve a dumbbell which has been thrown by the handler.

Down Stay - the dog must stay in the down position while the handler is out of sight for a period of time.  

Steadiness to Gunshot - the dog is tested on its reactions to gunshot. The dog will be penalised if it shows any signs of fear or aggression.

Speak - the dog is ordered to "speak" and cease "speaking" on command by the handler with a minimum of commands and/or signals.

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