TRAINING CHALLENGES:

Going through the AKC rules and regs in preparation for the Show Me-How! class and ran across these fun proposed exercises from the "Advanced Teamwork" non regular class:

Base-Ball Glove Retrieve. The principal features of this exercise are that the dog stay until called, the dog’s prompt response to the handler’s command or signal to drop, the dog’s remaining in the down position until directed to retrieve, the dog goes directly to the designated glove and retrieves it promptly. Orders will be "Leave your dog", "Call your Dog", “One”, “Two”, or “Three”, “Take it” and “Finish".

First, second and third base, pitchers mound and home plate will be positions designated by the judge. The gloves will be designated “One”, “Two”, or “Three” reading from left to right. In this exercise the handler will provide three predominantly white gloves as in the Directed Retrieve. The gloves must be approved by the judge. The handler and dog will set up about 2-3 feet in front of second base. The Steward will drop the gloves at 1st, 2nd and 3rd base. Handler leaves dog and walks to the other end of the ring at home plate. On order from the judge, the handler calls the dog. While the dog is coming the handler will down the dog half way at the pitchers mound. Once the dog has dropped, the Judge will order “One”, “Two” or “Three” at which time the handler will direct the dog, using command and or signal to the glove. The dog completes the exercise as in the Directed Retrieve exercise. The judge should decide how to assign the gloves so that each glove will be used approximately the same number of times. Scoring- All appropriate penalties of the Novice Recall, Drop on Recall, and Directed Retrieve exercises will apply.

Distance Control. The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog remain in the place and the position it was left in until commanded otherwise, change position each of the six times as directed and remain in the last position until the handler returns to heel position. Orders for this exercise are “Leave your dog”, “Back to your dog.” The judge must use signals directing the steward to rotate through a series of cards signaling the handler to stand, sit or down their dog. Prior to the start of the class the judge will post the starting position required of the dogs, either a stand, sit or down and the order in which the dogs will be required to rotate through each position. The dog is to change position a total of six times, each order is to be done twice in whatever order the judge chooses. A boundary area may be pre-marked either in front or in back of the dog in order to allow any forward movement of the dog to be easily evaluated throughout the exercise. On order from the judge, the handler may give a command and /or signal for the dog to stay in the starting position. The handler will walk to the other end of the ring at least 40 feet away from the dog. A steward will be positioned 10-15 feet in front and slightly to the side of the handler so as not to block the dog/handler line of vision. On each signal from the judge, the steward will rotate through a series of written signs, showing them to the handler to indicate the next position required of the dog. The handler may use command and/or signal. If both command and signal are used, they must be used simultaneously. Once the handler and dog complete the rotation of changing positions the judge gives the order “Back to your dog” and the handler will return to heel position. Scoring - All appropriate penalties for the Signal Exercise will apply.