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.

 

Instructor for Activity Weekend 2008 will be Tony Orchard.

 

Tony 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 bitch.

Since then he has competed with a Chocolate Labrador cross, German Shepherd, Black Labrador, Yellow Labrador and currently competing with another Yellow Labrador.

Tony has qualified dogs to Tracking Dog Excellent and made ‘Beetee’ a Black Lab bitch into a ‘Working Trials Champion’, competing at the Kennel Club Championship three times.

 

Programme for the day will cover:

• Introduction to Working Trials
• What are Working Trials and how to start

The Retrieve

• tracking
• searching
• practical nosework exercises

The Control

• Sendaways
• Agility (clear & long jump, scale)
• Heel Work
• Sit /Down stay
• Speak on command

 

Participants require:

A Dog that will retrieve (nothing formal), flat collar and lead.

 

4 small toys for retrieving (Ball on rope size, not squeaky), a dumbbell (only if owned).

 

A harness & line (only if owned), treats, any other preferred training aids, waterproofs and a sense of humour.

 

Places are restricted to 12 dogs and handler.