The Newfoundland has a well deserved reputation, established over many years, as a saviour of people from the sea. Without wanting to put
anyone in danger, the present day owner increasingly wants to see whether the dog is equally capable in the water. This set of exercises, which will test
the dog at 5 levels, has been devised in order to provide a safe and consistent method of proving the dog's capabilities in a non-competitive environment.
Owners do not have to train only to these exercises or even for the tests. The tests have been designed to encourage the dog and owner to work together
as a team.
Rescuing with a hand tow
Approaching a boat correctly
The tests, which are extensions to training and not an end in themselves, are generally based on the building block principle. Skills learnt
by owner and dog for the lower levels are repeated and refined or modified in higher level tests. Two examples of this building block approach are:-
Approaching a boat correctly is necessary for Section A Exercise 1 but is also used in all subsequent sections;
The complexities of retrieving are gradually built over different distances and a variety of objects so the dog will eventually carry out a directed tow/retrieve
of a person in Section E Exercise 3.
It must be understood that it is necessary to master the lower levels first in order to proceed to the higher levels. If a problem arises
with a certain exercise or part of it then there will be a firm foundation to fall back on; if training is carried out inconsistently then a problem cannot
be dealt with systematically. Thus dogs must pass each lower section before being permitted to attempt the next highest section, i.e. passing A &
B before entering for C. It must be borne in mind that the exercises actually test the owner and dog partnership, not just the capabilities of the dog.
Teamwork
There will be two Judges Judges will inform entrants
On a test day there will be two Judges and it is their desire for all the dogs to pass. Entrants may ask them questions during the test if they are unsure
whether they are permitted to do something or not. Judges may volunteer some advice to help entrants and their dogs during the first three test levels
(A, B & C). The Judges will be using a scoring system for marking each performance. These marks are purely for their use and will not be divulged
to entrants. The published results will only show whether the required standard was reached. The dog and owner must reach the required standard in each
exercise otherwise they will fail the test as a whole. A dog can fail through losing too many points, performing a failure action or running out of time.
At the conclusion of each test the Judges will inform entrants whether they and their dog have passed or failed and probably make some verbal comments.
There will also be written comments to collect from the score steward, together with a certificate of competence for a pass.
These tests are non-competitive. However, if a competitive trial, with dogs/owners being placed in order of competence, is being arranged then these regulations
may be the basis for those trials. A test day is for entrants to have FUN with their dogs and delight in their joint achievements and those of fellow
Newfoundland owners. Even at a test remember never to become so serious that the fun goes out of working for either you or your Newfoundland. Dogs must
be at least 6 months old on the day of the test to enter for Section A, 9 months for Section B, 18 months for Section C and 24 months for Sections D &
E. These ages have been set in the best interests of the dog, bearing in mind its physical and mental capabilities. Owners are encouraged to start training
their dog when it is capable of performing all elements without undue strain.
A test day is for entrants to have FUN
This Introduction is taken from the Water Test Regulations, the full version is available in Adobe .pdf format
here
REVIEW OF WATER TEST REGULATIONS
A review of the current Water Test Regulations is due to take place in 2011. Members are invited to submit suggestions for changes or improvements along
with their comments and reasons. There is a form available to download which should be completed and returned by the end of July 2009. A Word format version
is here or an Adobe format version is here.
