TC: Temperment Certified- A GSDCA temperment test for German Shepherds to evaluate their temperment according to the breed standard.   Following are the excersises performed for the temperment test. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGC: Canine Good Citizen- Title given to dogs who pass a test for sound temperment, friendly with strangers and obey basic obedience commands.  Following are the excersises performed for the CGC test.

 

This is a practical test, demonstrating that the dog will welcome being groomed or    examined by someone other than the owner (i.e. veterinarian, groomer, etc.).  The examiner will inspect the dogs general health condition, ears, and overall cleanliness and grooming. The examiner will pick up each of the dog’s front feet, and lightly brush or comb the dog. The owner must supply a current rabies certificate, and any other state or locally required inoculation certificates and license, as well as a brush or comb commonly used on the dog. The handler may talk to the dog, praise and give encouragement throughout the exercise. The dog must not resist. If your dog is well behaved at the vet, he should have no problem with this station.

#2: ACCEPTING A STRANGER

The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position (at the handler’s side), or try to go to the evaluator. It is recommended (but not required) that the dog start in a sitting position at the handler’s side. It will make it less likely that they will break.

#3: WALK ON LOOSE LEAD - OUT FOR A WALK

The principle feature of this test is to demonstrate that the handler is in control. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course, or may direct you with commands. There must be a left turn, right turn, and about turn, with at least one halt in between and one at the end. The dog is to walk on you left side and not interfere with you actions. The handler may talk to the dog throughout, praise, and help or command the dog to sit if desired at the halts. The dog does not need to be in the proper "heel" position, or automatically sit when you stop. Guiding with a tight lead or jerk corrections will often disqualify you, but talking to the dog and giving him encouragement will not.

 #4: WALK THROUGH A CROWD

You are to walk your dog by several people, they must be sweeping, tossing a ball, or making some other type of distraction. The dog is not to show fear or aggression, and not to interfere with you or them. Again, as above, you can talk to and encourage your dog constantly through this exercise. the people you are walking by are not out there to try to make your dog fail, but to simulate everyday distractions that may occur on an average walk through your neighborhood.

 #5: SIT FOR EXAM

The dog is to be sitting at the handler’s left side. The evaluator approaches and proceeds to pet the dog on the head and body only. The dog must not show shyness or resentment. The evaluator then circles the dog and handler competing the test. Again, the handler may talk to the dog throughout the exercise.

#6: SIT AND DOWN ON COMMAND

This test is to demonstrate that the dog has had some formal training and will respond to the handler’s commands. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to make the dog "sit" and then "down". Most dogs inherently resist the down position. It is the most defenseless position. The CGC rules state that the handler can use several commands (both verbal and hand signal), and may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. Forcing the dog into either position will mean failing the test.

#7: STAY IN POSITION (SIT OR DOWN)

The handler may use more then one command, and a reasonable amount of time, to get the dog into position (sit or down position being the option of the handler). The handler is to give the command to stay, and when instructed by the evaluator, drops the leash and walks forward about 20 feet, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The handler does not need to circle the dog on his return. The dog must remain in whatever position he was left in until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog.

 #8: REACTION TO ANOTHER DOG

This is much like station #2 (Greet a Person), but something new is added. Tow handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about ten yards, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on about five yards. Again, your dog is to remain on your left side, showing no more than casual interest. Neither dog should go to the other dog or handler.

#9: REACTION TO DISTRACTIONS

This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with distracting conditions. The evaluator selects two of seven types of distractions: A person on crutches, in a wheelchair, or using a walker; a sudden closing or opening of a door; dropping a large book; a jogger; good-natured pushing an shoving or animated excited talk and back-slapping by persons; a person with a shopping cart; or a person on a bicycle. These distractions are well defined in the rule book and are kept a six to ten foot distance away from the dog. The dog may express a natural interest and curiosity, and may startle, but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark. The handler may talk to the dog, encourage or praise it throughout the exercise. Life is full of surprises. Exposure is the best training technique for Stations 8 & 9. Your dog must learn to ignore the type of distractions used in this test.

#10: DOG LEFT ALONE

You are to leave your dog on a 15 foot tie out, and walk out of sight for five minutes. the dog should not continually bark, whine, howl, or pace unnecessarily or register anything other than mild agitation or nervousness. This is not a stay exercise and the dogs may stand, sit, lie down and change position during this exercise.

 

TDI: Therapy Dogs International- A certification that will allow the dogs' entry (with permission) into places like hospitals and nursing homes.  The test includes all excersises from the CGC test as well as additional tests to evaluate the dogs more thoroughly.

 

Additional tests for TDI include:

 

 

The dog should be tested around medical equipment (such as a wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or other devices which would ordinarily be found in a facility) to judge the dog's reactions to common health care equipment. 

 

 

The handler with the dog on a loose leash walks past food on the ground (placed within a distance of three feet) and, upon command, the dog should ignore the food.

 

 

This test demonstrates the dog's confidence when exposed to people walking an uneven gait, shuffling, breathing heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions which may be encountered in a facility.

 

 

The TDI Certified Evaluator will test the willingness of each dog to visit a person and that the dog can be accessible for petting (i.e. small dogs can be placed on a person's lap or can be held, medium and larger dogs can sit on a chair or stand close to the patient to be easily reached).

 

 

CD: Companion Dog - The first level, Novice, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog (CD) title. The title actually describes what is expected of your dog: demonstrating the skills required of a good canine companion. The dog will have to heel both on and off leash at different speeds, come when called, stay (still and quietly!) with a group of other dogs (1 minute sit stay and 3 minute down stay), and stand for a simple physical exam.

 

CDX: Companion Dog Excellent - The second level, Open, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. He must do many of the same exercises as in Novice, but off-leash and for longer periods. Additionally, there are jumping and retrieving tasks. The 3 minute sit stay and 5 minute down stay are out of site from the handler.

 

UD: Utility Dog - The final level results in a Utility Dog (UD) title. These are the cream of the crop. In addition to more difficult exercises, the dog also must perform scent discrimination tasks.

 

OTCH and UDX: The best of the best can go on for more titles. Utility Dogs that place in Open B or Utility B classes earn points toward an Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) title, they must place 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th to recieve points (amount of points depends on the amount of dogs competing) and they must recieve 100 points to achieve an OTCH title. Utility Dogs that continue to compete and earn legs in both Open B and Utility B at 10 shows receive the title Utility Dog Excellent (UDX). 

 

Schutzhund Titles

 

Czech/Slovakian Titles SVV and ZVV are similar to the German SchH title

 

The BH is a degree for traffic-safe companion dogs that tests the dogs temperament in and around people. It includes basic formal obedience - heeling on and off leash, sits, downs and recalls - as well as practical tests of the dog’s character in everyday situations.  These include reaction to normal situations involving crowds of people, strange noises, joggers, cars and other dogs. Before being allowed to enter for a Schutzhund I title, the dog must first have successsfully completed the BH.

 

SchH1,2,3-Schutzhund titles consisting of Tracking Obedience and Protection with a possible score of 100 points available in each phase. A minimum of 70 points in tracking, 70 points in Obedience, and 70 points in Protection are

 

• Sch H I (novice)
• Sch H II (intermediate)
• Sch H III (master level)

There is also an advanced tracking degree offered, FH.

The sport is designated for all athletic dogs with correct working abilities and is not restricted to a particular group or breed of dog. Schutzhund is now the fasted growing Dog Sport in North America!

Schutzhund Training Phases

For each of the three titles already discussed above, there are three distinct phases: tracking, obedience, and protection.

Tracking

In this phase, the dog must draw from inherited abilities by using his/her nose to find a person's track and discover articles that have been dropped along the way. Depending upon the title sought, all tracks will vary in length, shape and age. Tracking is usually done in dirt or on grass. A perfect score is 100 points, with a minimum of 70 needed to pass.

Obedience

The obedience phase involves numerous and demanding exercises which include heeling on and off leash, a gunfire test, walking through a group of people, motion exercises, recall, a 10-20 minute long down, retrieving, and jumping. A set pattern is demonstrated by the handler from memory (unlike AKC obedience, where the judge calls the pattern for you). A perfect score is 100 points, with 70 needed to pass.

Protection

This phase of Schutzhund training is very intricate, advanced, and taught with control in mind. It should not be confused or compared in any way with guard dog or police protection training. A dog competing in the sport of Schutzhund must always prove to have a reliable temperament and must show courage without viciousness. The "bad guy" or "helper" as he is known in the sport always wears protective leather pants and a special sleeve with a burlap cover. The dog is allowed to bite this sleeve and he must bite this in the correct manner. On command, the dog MUST release the bite. A dog will fail if it does not release the bite when commanded to do so. A perfect score is 100 points, with 80 points needed to pass.

 

 

HGH: Herdengebrauchshund - Herding Dog Title