The GSP South West Group Training Certificates
The aim of the training certificates, starting with Beginners, Level One, Level Two & Level Three is not to be competitive in any way, nor is it compulsory. The certificates are structured to give dog and handler the skills as a partnership they will need as accomplished companions, working gundog tests or for the shooting field.
The skills needed by dog and handler is complex, the graded levels will enable the handlers to attain these skills, starting from the basics.
Training will focus on steadiness, communication through voice, hand signals and whistle through to basic retrieving and progression where handlers can demonstrate their dogs working ability.
Each level will be assessed and a good standard is required to pass through to the next level. They will take place during the Sunday morning training session. All dogs must start with level one with the exception of puppies. Only one attempt can be made at the assessment per month
The aim of the training certificates, starting with Beginners, Level One, Level Two & Level Three is not to be competitive in any way, nor is it compulsory. The certificates are structured to give dog and handler the skills as a partnership they will need as accomplished companions, working gundog tests or for the shooting field.
The skills needed by dog and handler is complex, the graded levels will enable the handlers to attain these skills, starting from the basics.
Training will focus on steadiness, communication through voice, hand signals and whistle through to basic retrieving and progression where handlers can demonstrate their dogs working ability.
Each level will be assessed and a good standard is required to pass through to the next level. They will take place during the Sunday morning training session. All dogs must start with level one with the exception of puppies. Only one attempt can be made at the assessment per month
BEGINNERS Assessment
OBJECTIVES
Dog to walk to heel on & off the lead close to the handler, recall & simple retrieves
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle, 2 toys or dummies, assessor to have extra lead
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog on the lead
From the start point walk the dog on a loose lead to point A - B - C
2. Dog off the lead
Hand the dog on the lead to the assessor - handler to walk to point 6 - wait for 15 seconds and when instructed by the assessor recall with voice/whistle/hand command the dog and place on the lead
3. Dog off the lead
The handler to throw the dog toy/dummy to the centre of the clock - ask the dog to retrieve the toy/dummy (preferably to hand) with encouragement - sit the dog (either by whistle/hand/voice) command.
4. Dog off the lead
The handler to return to the start point with the dog off the lead - the dog to stay close to the side of the handler with encouragement - the handler to ask the dog to sit (either by whistle/hand/voice) at the end of the assessment - place the dog on the lead
End of Assessment
OBJECTIVES
Dog to walk to heel on & off the lead close to the handler, recall & simple retrieves
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle, 2 toys or dummies, assessor to have extra lead
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog on the lead
From the start point walk the dog on a loose lead to point A - B - C
2. Dog off the lead
Hand the dog on the lead to the assessor - handler to walk to point 6 - wait for 15 seconds and when instructed by the assessor recall with voice/whistle/hand command the dog and place on the lead
3. Dog off the lead
The handler to throw the dog toy/dummy to the centre of the clock - ask the dog to retrieve the toy/dummy (preferably to hand) with encouragement - sit the dog (either by whistle/hand/voice) command.
4. Dog off the lead
The handler to return to the start point with the dog off the lead - the dog to stay close to the side of the handler with encouragement - the handler to ask the dog to sit (either by whistle/hand/voice) at the end of the assessment - place the dog on the lead
End of Assessment
LEVEL ONE TRAINING
OBJECTIVES
The handler to demonstrate the recall whistle, along with relevant hand signals and voice commands. Begin basic training towards steadiness, sit and stay, heelwork.
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle, handler’s own car.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog in the car
Open the car door - dog to sit with voice command in the car - place lead on the dog - dog to wait under verbal command for 15 seconds - with verbal command dog out of the car - sit the dog - close car door.
2. Dog on the lead
From the Start position walk the dog to heel under control to point A – B – C – 6 - sit your dog at point 6 with either voice/whistle/hand command facing the centre of the clock
3. Dog on or off the lead (or lead tied securely round the dog’s neck)
Walk the dog to heel under control to the centre of the clock - sit the dog with either voice/whistle/hand command facing back to point 6 - leaving the dog the handler returns to point 6 - wait 30 seconds then return to your dog - the dog should remain steady throughout.
Again the handler returns to point 6 leaving the dog at the centre of the clock the assessor will walk from point 3 passing in front of the dog to point 9 then return to point 3 passing behind the dog - after 30 seconds the handler (remaining at point 6) will recall their dog using either verbal/whistle/hand command - sit your dog at point 6 with a voice/whistle/hand command
4. Dog off the lead
The handler to throw the dummy to the centre of the clock - on your command ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - the handler to sit the dog - walk out to the centre & throw the dummy to the 12 position return to the dog - ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - sit the dog
5. Dog off the lead
The handler to return to the start point with the dog off the lead - the handler to ask the dog to sit (either by whistle/hand/voice) at the end of the assessment - place the dog on the lead
End of Assessment
OBJECTIVES
The handler to demonstrate the recall whistle, along with relevant hand signals and voice commands. Begin basic training towards steadiness, sit and stay, heelwork.
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle, handler’s own car.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog in the car
Open the car door - dog to sit with voice command in the car - place lead on the dog - dog to wait under verbal command for 15 seconds - with verbal command dog out of the car - sit the dog - close car door.
2. Dog on the lead
From the Start position walk the dog to heel under control to point A – B – C – 6 - sit your dog at point 6 with either voice/whistle/hand command facing the centre of the clock
3. Dog on or off the lead (or lead tied securely round the dog’s neck)
Walk the dog to heel under control to the centre of the clock - sit the dog with either voice/whistle/hand command facing back to point 6 - leaving the dog the handler returns to point 6 - wait 30 seconds then return to your dog - the dog should remain steady throughout.
Again the handler returns to point 6 leaving the dog at the centre of the clock the assessor will walk from point 3 passing in front of the dog to point 9 then return to point 3 passing behind the dog - after 30 seconds the handler (remaining at point 6) will recall their dog using either verbal/whistle/hand command - sit your dog at point 6 with a voice/whistle/hand command
4. Dog off the lead
The handler to throw the dummy to the centre of the clock - on your command ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - the handler to sit the dog - walk out to the centre & throw the dummy to the 12 position return to the dog - ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - sit the dog
5. Dog off the lead
The handler to return to the start point with the dog off the lead - the handler to ask the dog to sit (either by whistle/hand/voice) at the end of the assessment - place the dog on the lead
End of Assessment
LEVEL TWO TRAINING
OBJECTIVES
The handler to demonstrate the recall whistle, along with relevant hand signals and voice commands. Training towards steadiness, sit and stay, heelwork & retrieves
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel under control to point A – B – C – 6 - sit your dog at point 6 with either whistle/hand command facing the centre of the clock
2. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel under control to the point 12 - sit the dog with either whistle/hand command facing back to point 6 - leaving the dog the handler returns to point 6 - wait 30 seconds then recall your dog with either whistle/voice/hand command - ask the dog to sit.
3. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel from point 6 to 9, 12, 3 and back to centre of the clock, stopping at each point - sitting the dog with either whistle/hand/voice command.
4. Dog off the lead
Leave the dog at the centre point facing point 6 - handler walk to point 6 - from point 6 the handler to throw one dummy to point 9 and one to point 3 - dog to stay steady in the centre -the handler to collect both dummies and return to point 6 - repeat the exercise - throw one dummy to point 9 and on command ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - return dog to centre and handler to throw one dummy to point 3 - on command ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - handler to return with dog at heel to the centre - sit the dog - throw the dummy to point 12 over the sitting dog’s head - handler to return to point 6 - on command ask the dog to go back and retrieve the dummy to hand.
5. Dog off the lead
The handler to return to the start point with the dog off the lead - the handler to ask the dog to sit either by whistle/hand at the end of the assessment - place the dog on the lead
End of Assessment
OBJECTIVES
The handler to demonstrate the recall whistle, along with relevant hand signals and voice commands. Training towards steadiness, sit and stay, heelwork & retrieves
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel under control to point A – B – C – 6 - sit your dog at point 6 with either whistle/hand command facing the centre of the clock
2. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel under control to the point 12 - sit the dog with either whistle/hand command facing back to point 6 - leaving the dog the handler returns to point 6 - wait 30 seconds then recall your dog with either whistle/voice/hand command - ask the dog to sit.
3. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel from point 6 to 9, 12, 3 and back to centre of the clock, stopping at each point - sitting the dog with either whistle/hand/voice command.
4. Dog off the lead
Leave the dog at the centre point facing point 6 - handler walk to point 6 - from point 6 the handler to throw one dummy to point 9 and one to point 3 - dog to stay steady in the centre -the handler to collect both dummies and return to point 6 - repeat the exercise - throw one dummy to point 9 and on command ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - return dog to centre and handler to throw one dummy to point 3 - on command ask the dog to retrieve the dummy to hand - handler to return with dog at heel to the centre - sit the dog - throw the dummy to point 12 over the sitting dog’s head - handler to return to point 6 - on command ask the dog to go back and retrieve the dummy to hand.
5. Dog off the lead
The handler to return to the start point with the dog off the lead - the handler to ask the dog to sit either by whistle/hand at the end of the assessment - place the dog on the lead
End of Assessment
LEVEL THREE TRAINING
OBJECTIVES
The handler to demonstrate the whistle, hand signals and voice commands. Steadiness, sit and stay, heelwork & retrieves including a split, blind & memory retrieve
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel under control to point A – B – C – 6 - sit your dog at point 6 with either whistle/hand command facing the start. Throw the dummy to point 12 over the dog’s head while the dog stays steady. Handler to return to start position.
2. Dog off the lead
Recall the dog to you, with a stop at point B using the whistle/hand then using the back command send the dog for the retrieve at position 12, recall the dog to you – retrieve to hand
3. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel from the start position to the centre of the clock, - sitting the dog with either whistle/hand/voice command facing the handler. The assessor will drop a dummy at clock point 3 unseen by the dog and walk round and drop a second dummy this time seen by the dog at clock point 9. The handler will walk to point 6 and on command ask the dog to carry out the blind retrieve first at point 3 to hand then the seen retrieve to hand at point 9 to the handler at point 6 – sit the dog
4. Dog off the lead
Heel the dog to clock position 12, leaving the dog the handler returns to the start position. Recall the dog, stopping it at clock position 6 (within two flag markers). The assessor will throw a distraction dummy, the dog to remain steady. Handler to recall the dog directly to the start position. The handler to ask the dog to sit.
End of Assessment
OBJECTIVES
The handler to demonstrate the whistle, hand signals and voice commands. Steadiness, sit and stay, heelwork & retrieves including a split, blind & memory retrieve
EQUIPMENT
Rope slip lead, lanyard & whistle.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel under control to point A – B – C – 6 - sit your dog at point 6 with either whistle/hand command facing the start. Throw the dummy to point 12 over the dog’s head while the dog stays steady. Handler to return to start position.
2. Dog off the lead
Recall the dog to you, with a stop at point B using the whistle/hand then using the back command send the dog for the retrieve at position 12, recall the dog to you – retrieve to hand
3. Dog off the lead
Walk the dog to heel from the start position to the centre of the clock, - sitting the dog with either whistle/hand/voice command facing the handler. The assessor will drop a dummy at clock point 3 unseen by the dog and walk round and drop a second dummy this time seen by the dog at clock point 9. The handler will walk to point 6 and on command ask the dog to carry out the blind retrieve first at point 3 to hand then the seen retrieve to hand at point 9 to the handler at point 6 – sit the dog
4. Dog off the lead
Heel the dog to clock position 12, leaving the dog the handler returns to the start position. Recall the dog, stopping it at clock position 6 (within two flag markers). The assessor will throw a distraction dummy, the dog to remain steady. Handler to recall the dog directly to the start position. The handler to ask the dog to sit.
End of Assessment
