WORKING TRIALS

In competition dogs compete in ascending levels called ‘stakes’. From the lowest staked, Companion (CD), through Utility (UD), Working (WD), Patrol (PD) and Tracking Dog (TD).

Working trials consist of different exercises divided into three sections:

Nosework

• The dog follows a track laid by a tracklayer walking a set pattern. As the dog follows a track it has to seek out and recover articles placed along the track by the tracklayer.

The other component of nosework is ‘search’ where the dog has to search for and retrieve articles placed in a marked area.

Agility - Consisting of a hurdle, scale and long jump.

Control - Consisting of heelwork, sendaway, retrieving a dumbbell, down stay and steadiness to gunshot.

Gunshot will not be used at the Activity Weekend.

SATURDAY Working Trials

Instructor Tony Orchard is a Working Trial Competitor, Championship Ticket Judge and Trials Manager. He started competing in Working Trials in the early 1980’s with an Irish Setter birch. Since then he has competed with a Chocolate Lab x, German Shepherd, Black Lab, Yellow Lab and is currently competing with another Yellow Lab. Tony has qualified dogs to Tracking Dog Excellent and Working Trials Champion , competing at the KC Championship 3 times.

The day will cover:
• Introduction to Working Trials
• What are Working Trials and how to start
• Tracking, searching, sendaways, agility, heelwork, sit/down stay and speak on command.

HANDLERS WILL NEED TO BRING:

A dog that will retrieve (nothing formal), flat collar and lead, 4 small toys for retrieving (not squeaky), a dumbbell, harness and line (only if owned), treats and a sense of
humour.