Newfoundland Water Rescue - Water Dog & Water Rescue Dog Regulations
Chapter III - Standard of Performance - Junior Division
Basic Control
Single Retrieve
Drop Retrieve
Take a Line
Tow a Boat
Swim with Handler
BASIC CONTROL
Dogs with AKC or CKC Companion Dog titles are exempt from the Basic Control exercises. Such dogs will receive a passing score from each judge in this exercise.
Basic Control will be performed off lead in a ring about 40 x 50 feet. There are three parts to the Basic Control: Controlled Walking, a Recall, and a One-Minute Down. The dog may be guided gently by the collar between exercises. Extra hand signals, verbal commands, and other encouragement are allowed on the motion exercises.
If a Test Committee schedules the Basic Control Exercise on the day preceding the water exercises, it must also offer Basic Control on the day of the Water test for anyone who is unable to attend the previous day.
Controlled Walking: The dog must walk with the handler in response to the commands given and should remain within arm's reach of the handler at all times. The handler must not touch the dog, but may command and encourage the dog. The dog is not required to remain in any particular position, but should remain within arm's reach.
During this exercise one judge will call commands, but both judges will score. The commands from the judge will include: forward, left turn, right turn, about turn, halt, and exercise finished. It is the judge's option in what order he calls the commands but the calling judge will call the same pattern for each dog and handler.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog will respond to his handler’s commands and walk in a controlled manner.
2. The dog will walk within arm's reach of the handler.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog is frequently beyond the reach of the handler.
2. The dog fouls the ring.
3. Handler must constantly adapt to the pace of the dog.
4. Dog leaves the ring.
5. Dog is considered unmanageable by the judges.
6. Dog must be physically handled by the handler during the heel pattern.
Recall: The recall is performed the full length of the ring. The judge will instruct the handler to "Sit your dog" and will ask "Are you ready?" The judge will then instruct the handler to "Leave your dog". The handler must give only one stay command. The stay command can be given by both voice and hand simultaneously. The dog must stay until called by the handler. The handler will walk to the opposite side of the ring, turn, face the dog, and remain in place until the exercise is finished. The judge will instruct the handler to call the dog. A signal, verbal command, or simultaneous commands may be used to call the dog. Extra hand signals and vocal commands are allowed after the dog begins to move. The dog must respond within 10 seconds. The dog will come close enough to be touched by the handler and should sit facing the handler. The judge's commands to the handler are "Sit your dog", "Leave your dog", "Call your dog", and "Exercise finished". (the dog is not required to finish).
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog will remain in place until called by the handler. "Stay" may be both verbal command and/or signal.
2. The dog will respond within ten (10) seconds.
3. The dog will come within arm's reach of the handler.
4. The handler will remain in place until the exercise is complete.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog does not stay in place (changing position from the sit to a down will not be a failure)
2. The handler gives more than one "stay" command or more than one "come" command. (Hand signals and voice commands must be given at the same time to be considered "one command".)
3. The dog does not respond to the "come" command within 10 seconds.
4. The dog does not come.
5. The dog does not go to the handler.
6. The dog goes to the handler but remains out of reach.
7. The dog fouls the ring.
One Minute Down: The One Minute Down is a group exercise performed with the handlers across the width of the ring. The judges will keep each group to a maximum of ten (10) dogs. The handlers and their dogs (on lead) will enter the ring and line up along one side as instructed by the judge. The handlers will remove the leads and place them behind their dogs. When in position, the judge will ask "Are you ready?" and will then say "Down your dogs". The handlers may manually put their dogs down. The judge will instruct the handlers to "Leave your dogs". Handlers will give one (1) command to stay. The stay command may be a verbal command, hand signal, or a simultaneous verbal and hand signal. The handlers will walk to the opposite side of the ring, turn, and face their dogs. After one minute, the judge will say "Return to your dogs". The handlers will walk around the dog and return to heel position. The dog must remain down until the handler returns to the heel position. The handlers will not release their dogs until the judge says "Exercise finished".
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The handler will down the dog.
2. The handler will give the dog one (1) command to stay, leave the dog, and walk to the opposite side of the ring. (Simultaneous voice and hand signal permitted.)
3. The dog will remain down until the handler returns to the heel position.
4. The handler will release the dog when the judge says "Exercise finished".
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The handler gives more than one command to stay.
2. The dog moves substantially even though still down.
3. The dog sits or stands any time before the handler returns to the heel position.
4. The dog fouls the ring.
SINGLE RETRIEVE
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler wait on shore facing the water. The judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The handler will throw the bumper at least thirty (30) feet out from shore and into swimming depth water for the dog. The bumper may have a short line attached to facilitate throwing. Anticipation is allowed. The handler sends the dog with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistle. The dog swims out to the bumper, retrieves it, and brings it to the handler on the shore. The dog must deliver the bumper to hand. Verbal encouragement, extra commands, and whistles are allowed as the dog is working. The dog need not sit to deliver the bumper to the handler. A "finish" is not required.
If the throw is not of adequate distance, the judges will instruct the handler to throw the bumper again. The test committee will appoint a steward to serve as a designated thrower in the event one should be needed.
The dog may bring the bumper to the closest point of land; in which case, the handler may move along the shore to that point to receive the article without stepping into the water. The point of land at which the dog delivers the bumper may be outside the marked test area. If the dog fails to retrieve on the first command, it may be redirected by the handler with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistle to retrieve the bumper.
The judges will signal completion of the exercise when the dog has delivered the bumper to hand, or when the dog has failed the exercise.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog is sent to make the retrieve.
2. The dog retrieves the bumper that was thrown into swimming depth water and delivers it to hand.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog does not retrieve the bumper.
2. The dog gets the bumper but drops it and refuses to pick it up.
3. The dog refuses to deliver the bumper to hand.
4. The handler assists the dog in marking the bumper by throwing objects.
5. The dog leaves the water without making the retrieve.
Suggested Time Limit: Sixty (60) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
DROP RETRIEVE
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler wait on shore facing the water. Stewards will paddle across the test site approximately fifty (50) feet from shore. Upon a signal from a judge, a steward will quietly place an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) life jacket or an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) boat cushion in the water on the seaward side of the watercraft, making no effort to attract the dog's attention to the drop. The judges will select the article the morning of the test, and it will be the same for all dogs. After the watercraft has cleared the area, a judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and then instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The handler will send the dog with voice commands, hand signals and/or whistles in the direction of the floating article. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The dog swims out to the article, retrieves it, and returns it to the handler on shore. The dog must deliver the article to hand. The dog may bring the article to the closest point of land; in which case, the handler may move along the shore to that point to receive the article without stepping into the water. The closest point of land may be outside the marked test site. No sit or finish is required. The exercise is finished when the dog delivers to
hand, or when the judges indicate the dog has failed. The judges will signal a completed exercise.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The steward drops a floating article on the seaward side of the watercraft without attracting the attention of the dog.
2. The dog takes direction.
3. The dog locates the article and delivers it to hand.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog does not retrieve the article.
2. The dog gets the article, drops it, and will not pick it up.
3. The dog fails to deliver the article to the handler.
4. The handler aids the dog in marking the article by throwing objects.
5. The dog leaves the water without making the retrieve.
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
TAKE A LINE
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler wait on shore facing the water. The land steward will give the handler one end of the line. Before the exercise begins, the calling steward, on the direction of the judge, will walk up to the dog, pet it briefly and ask its name. The steward will swim away from shore into position at the fifty (50) foot mark. When the steward is in position, a judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. As soon as the judge signals the beginning of the exercise, the steward will begin calling the dog. The steward will use the dog's name and must use the same manner of calling for each dog.
After the judge says "You may begin", the handler gives the dog one end of a seventy-five (75) foot floating line. The line may be knotted at one end to facilitate carrying. The handler may gently place the line in the dog's mouth, entice the dog to take the line, or
command the dog to take the line. The line may not be tossed into the water for the dog to grab. If the line is dropped prior to the dog committing to the water, the handler may pick it up and start again. Once the dog has committed to the water, the handler may command the dog to pick it up but may not touch the line.
The dog will hold the line in its mouth, and on voice commands, hand signals, and/or a whistle from the handler will enter the water and carry the line to the steward. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The handler may play out the line to avoid entanglement but will keep one end on shore. The dog must bring the line close enough for the steward to reach it without changing his/her location in the water. The dog must hold the line in its mouth until the steward can grasp it, but the dog does not have to relinquish the line to the steward. The steward will hold the line up for the judges to see. The exercise is finished when the steward has hold of the line, or when the judges indicate the dog has failed. The judges will signal completion of the exercise. The handler will then call the dog to shore. The dog may continue to hold the line in its mouth and accompany the steward to shore.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog will hold the line in its mouth.
2. The dog will leave the handler.
3. The dog will deliver the line to the steward.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The handler physically guides the dog any time after the exercise has begun.
2. The dog leaves the water after it has been sent, and before it delivers the line to the steward.
3. The dog does not come close enough to the steward to allow the steward to take hold of the line while the dog is holding it.
4. The handler tosses the line in the water for the dog to retrieve
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
TOW A BOAT
Standard of Performance
The dog will remain on shore with the handler. The handlers' 8-foot floating line with attached boat bumper will be placed in the boat by a steward. The stewards will be positioned in an approved rowboat fifty (50) feet from shore. The dog and handler will approach the water, and the judge will ask, "Are you ready? The judge will instruct the handler "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. As soon as the judge signals the beginning of the exercise, a steward in the boat will attract the team's attention by calling the dog's name and splashing the bumper next to the boat. The dog should swim to the boat, take the bumper or line from the steward, and tow the boat to shore. The steward will splash the bumper close to the boat but may not throw it in front of the dog. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The dog may hold either the line or the bumper. The dog may bring the boat to the closest point of land, in which case, the handler may move along the shore to meet the dog. The handler will not enter the water until the dog is at wading depth for the dog. The dog must pull the boat until it touches the bottom, at which time the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog will take direction and swim to the boat upon command.
2. The dog will take the bumper or line its mouth from the steward.
3. The dog will tow the boat to shore and beach it.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog does not swim out to the boat.
2. The dog refuses to take the bumper or line from the steward.
3. The dog does not pull the boat to shore.
4. The dog drops the equipment and does not respond to the handler’s commands to pick it up.
5. The dog comes out of the water prior to completion of the exercise, unless dog is actively in the process of towing and beaching the boat in order to complete the exercise
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
SWIM WITH HANDLER
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler are on shore at a spot designated by the judges. The judge will ask, "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. Dog and handler will approach the water and wade out together to swimming depth for the dog. The dog and handler will swim together for twenty (20) feet. The prescribed distance is not judged until both the handler and the dog have begun swimming. The dog may swim in any position within a four-foot (4) radius of the handler. The dog may not swim on top of the handler nor otherwise impede the handler from reaching the prescribed distance. A judge will signal when the required distance is reached. The handler will stop swimming and command the dog to turn toward shore. The handler may not physically turn the dog. The handler then holds onto the dog and encourages the dog to tow him to shore. The dog is to do so promptly, although one or two circles by the dog for orientation with the shoreline are allowed. The dog may tow the handler by having the handler hold onto the dog or by the dog holding the handler by the arm. If the dog holds the handler by the arm, some protection on the arm is permitted. This protection will be flush with the skin and there will be nothing dangling from it.
The handler must be free floating and allow him/herself to be towed by the dog. A small amount of motion by the handler for balance is allowed. Once the dog has reached wading depth, the handler may stand and walk to shore with his/her dog. The judges will signal completion as soon as the dog is walking.
Principal Parts of the Exercise:
1. The dog is willing to accompany the handler into the water.
2. The dog is willing to swim with the handler the prescribed distance.
3. The dog is willing to tow the handler to shore.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog must be physically guided into the water or while swimming.
2. The dog leaves the four-foot (4) radius of the handler and does not immediately return to the handler on command.
3. The dog physically interferes with the handler's ability to swim the prescribed distance.
4. The dog refuses or is unable to tow the handler to shore.
5. The handler makes swimming strokes that are interpreted by the judges as assisting the dog.
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
