EXERCISE 3 Directed retrieve of one of two objects
EXERCISE 4 Search for hidden stranger and tow to shore
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'Well Done' - Watermead 2007
EXERCISE 1 - Take coil of rope out to a boat and tow it back to shore
Purpose - To demonstrate a dog's ability to respond to the owner's commands and take a coil of rope to someone in a boat then tow it back safely
to the shore.
Desired performance - The boat with boat steward and a steward not known to the dog, and a Judge will be positioned at least 25 metres from the
shore. The boat steward will be solely concerned with the safety and position of the boat and will not be concerned with handling the dog. The dog will
remain on shore, under control, at the side of the owner, until instructed to begin. When instructed, the owner will command the dog to swim out directly
to the boat with the coil of rope in its mouth, with the steward calling out for the dog to come to the boat, they will continue to call the dog until
the dog is within touching distance. On reaching the boat the steward will attempt to take the coil of rope without endangering himself or the dog. Once
he is holding the coil of rope, the steward will give the 'release' command, as notified to him by the owner before commencing the exercise, and will
continue to do so until the dog voluntarily releases the coil of rope.
The steward will not forcibly remove the coil of rope or continue to hold the coil of rope if it becomes unsafe to do so. The handler must not show the
second rope to the dog until the coil of rope is inside the boat. The steward will then go to the front of the boat and offer a similar rope to the dog.
The dog will then take this rope in its mouth and use it to tow the boat back to the shore. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise is complete when
the boat is within reach of the owner and the boat occupants could step ashore safely in less than knee depth water.
Scoring - Points will be lost for:
excessive anticipation or lack of control;
hesitation in entering the water;
not swimming directly to the boat;
dropping the rope during the swim out;
not releasing the rope to the steward on command;
not swimming directly back to the shore;
dropping the rope during the tow back;
not bringing the boat within reach of the owner;
not leaving the water when instructed.
5 points will be lost immediately a second attempt is started (see Explanatory Note 12 in full regs.).
The pass mark is 18 out of 25.
Failure -
Exceeding the 4 minute limit for completing the exercise.
Attempting to climb in the boat.
Physical redirection.
Not towing the boat by holding the rope voluntarily in its mouth.
Permitted actions -
The coil of rope will be made from floating rope between 35 and 65 mm in circumference and coiled so that there are 6 to 10 loops of 45 and 75 cm diameter.
The coil must be tied so that it will not unravel. The 3 metres of tow rope already on the boat will be prepared from the same size and type of rope.
When attracting the dog's attention the steward is NOT permitted to use the dog's name.
The tow rope will not be attached to the boat but will be held (firmly) at one end by the steward, one end of the rope must remain free, he cannot hold
it in a loop however loosely, neither can he hold it either side of the dog's mouth.
The coil of rope can be given to the dog before it enters the water or thrown no more than 6 metres so that it is slightly in front of the dog as it leaves
the shore. The dog can turn before or after coming within reach of the steward or may completely circle the boat.
Purpose - To demonstrate a dog's ability to respond to the owner's commands and jump from a boat and tow a stranger back to the boat without endangering
itself or any person.
Desired performance -
The dog will enter the boat and be taken about 25 metres from the shore with the owner, a water steward (who is a stranger to the dog), a steward, the
boat steward and a Judge. The owner will ensure that the dog is under control whilst in the boat and does not impede the stewards. When given the signal
to begin the water steward will fall noisily overboard and position himself at least 5 metres from the boat, where he will be vertical in the water, facing
the boat, calm and silent. The water steward should be on the side of the boat furthest from the test area shore, but this may depend on prevailing weather
conditions. When the water steward is in position and when instructed by the Judge, the owner will command the dog to enter the water, swim to the water
steward and effect a safe tow. The boat steward will continue to hold the boat in position and NOT allow the boat to drift. The Judge will determine
when to release the boat after the dog has jumped so that the test distance is achieved. The dog will tow him to a position close enough to the boat so
the owner and steward can pull the water steward aboard. The owner does not have to physically get the water steward aboard but should be involved and
should not be solely dealing with the dog during this time. Once the water steward is safely aboard the Judge will tell the owner to bring their dog aboard.
Meanwhile, the dog will have been required to wait in the water until instructed to approach the boat again, when it will be carefully pulled aboard in
a safe manner. The owner must remain in the boat until the test is complete. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise is complete when the dog is back
in the boat.
Scoring - Points will be lost for:
not entering the boat safely at the shore;
excessive anticipation or lack of control;
hesitation in entering the water when commanded;
not swimming directly to the person;
not turning when instructed;
not effecting a safe tow;
not swimming directly back to the boat;
not bringing the steward to the position indicated by the owner;
owner not assisting with reboarding of water steward;
not swimming calmly while waiting for the water steward to be taken aboard.
The pass mark is 18 out of 25.
Failure:
exceeding the 4 minute limit for completing the exercise.
not exiting the boat in the first 30 seconds of the exercise.
owner physically assisting in the exit from the boat.
attempting to climb on the water steward.
attempting to re-enter the boat until instructed to do so.
physical redirection.
using any article to assist in controlling the dog.
Permitted actions:
It is encouraged for the dog to wear a harness to provide a safe handhold when towing and for when it is being hauled into the boat.
To effect a safe pick-up when approaching the steward the dog may turn either close enough in front or to their side for him to take hold, or turn safely
behind him.
EXERCISE 3 - Directed retrieve of one of two objects
Purpose - To demonstrate a dog's ability to respond to the owner's commands and to return a specific object to its owner from a distance.
Desired performance - The dog will remain on shore, under control at the side of the owner, until instructed to begin. The Judge will inform the
owner which article the dog has to retrieve. A boat will proceed on a course parallel to the shore. In full view of the dog, the stewards will hold the
articles above their heads and then on the Judge's signals quietly place the articles in the water as it passes, so that they are between 6 and 7 metres
apart and the dog will have to swim at least 15 metres to them. The articles and their positions will be the same for all dogs in that test. Once the
second article is in the water the Judge will give the indication to begin, while the boat leaves the test area. The dog, from its position midway between
the two articles, will be sent to retrieve the selected article from the water and return it to the owner on the shore. In this particular exercise the
owner must stay on land at the midway point, directing the dog only by verbal/visual commands and not move until the dog commences the exercise. The Judge
shall indicate that the exercise is complete when the dog and the owner with the object are back on shore. The boat will then retrieve the other article.
Scoring: Points will be lost for:
excessive anticipation or lack of control;
hesitation in entering the water;
not swimming directly to the redirect article;
not turning when instructed;
not swimming directly back to the shore;
dropping the article before getting it back to the shore within the test area;
not giving the article to the owner when instructed;
not leaving the water when instructed.
5 points will be lost immediately a second attempt is started (see Explanatory Note 12 in the full regs).
The pass mark is 18 out of 25.
Failure -
exceeding the 4 minute limit for completing the exercise.
retrieves the wrong article
physical redirection.
Permitted actions:
The Judges on the day will select two hanks of rope, or two life rings/buoys, or two life jackets/ buoyancy aids or two boat cushions (which should be
identical or very similar pairs). When making their selection, the Judges will take into account the suitability of the articles having regard to all
the circumstances.
The first or the second object out of the boat will be randomly designated to be the actual item to retrieve and will not necessarily be the same for
each dog. The owner will know which article (Left or Right) to retrieve as the boat is getting into position and before the articles are placed.
Before the dog leaves the shore, a Judge will announce which article (Left or Right) is to be retrieved.
The owner is not permitted to launch the dog into the water by moving with the dog in the direction of the selected object.
EXERCISE 4 - Search for hidden stranger and tow to shore
Purpose - To demonstrate a dog's ability to respond to the owner's commands and search round a boat to find a stranger and then return with him
to the shore without endangering itself or any person.
Desired performance - Out of the view of the dog, the boat will be positioned at a buoy at least 25 metres from the shore with a water steward
(who is a stranger to the dog) in the water holding the boat in such a position that he cannot be seen by the dog on the shore. The boat steward, who
will eventually handle the boat, must make himself as inconspicuous as possible so as not to attract the dog's attention in any way, but still be able
to see the dog. The dog will remain on shore under control, at the side of the owner, until instructed to begin. When instructed the water steward will
begin to shout and splash in the water and will continue to do so until the dog is within touching distance, the owner will command the dog to swim out
to the boat. On reaching the boat it will swim around the boat to find the water steward and effect a safe pick-up and tow. Avoiding the boat, it will
then return with him back to the shore. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise is completed when the steward is in shallow water near the shore.
Scoring: Points will be lost for:
excessive anticipation or lack of control;
hesitation in entering the water;
not swimming directly to the boat;
not circling close to the boat when instructed;
not effecting a safe tow;
not swimming directly back to the shore;
not bringing the steward to shallow water;
not leaving the water when instructed.
5 points will be lost immediately a second attempt is started (see Explanatory Note 12 in full regs.).
The pass mark is 18 out of 25.
Failure:
exceeding the 4 minute limit for completing the exercise.
attempting to enter the boat.
attempting to climb on the water steward.
physical redirection.
Permitted actions:
The dog is encouraged to wear a harness to provide a safe handhold when towing.
The water steward is NOT permitted to use the dog's name.
To effect a safe pick-up when approaching the steward the dog may turn either close enough in front or to their side for him to take hold, or turn safely
behind him.
Notes:
'Out of the view of the dog' is at the choice of the owner and could just be facing away from the water, or taking the dog away from the area while the
exercise is set up.
The boat steward will ensure there are no ropes hanging over the side of the boat that may act as a distraction.
