Level Three Training Skill Set

February 2008 Level Three Graduates:

Lynda with Beckett (Black Labrador);
Geoff with Jax (Golden Retriever);
Rosemary with Chip (Toy Poodle);
Mike with Axe (Siberian mix);
Dave with Jasmine (Golden Retriever);
Patty with Annie (Border Collie)

Mandatory Behaviors

The following behaviors require mandatory mastery in order to pass the level three training portion.

Come
The dog must come from 40' away on one cue only, through milling people. The dog may come from a "Stay" or be held by someone else. A "Front" is not necessary, nor is a "Sit".
Crate
The dog enters a crate on one cue only and remains quietly for one-minute with the door closed.
Down
The dog "Downs" from "Sit" on one cue only from 10' away. The dog may drift very slightly off the position where he was sitting, but there must be a fairly immediate response to the cue.
Down Stay
The dog "Downs" and stays while the handler walks 20' out, stays for one minute and comes back. One cue is allowed for the "Down", and two cues for the "Stay".
(There will be one mild distraction.)
Finish
The dog is able to follow eye contact while the handler pivots to the left.
Go to Mat
The dog goes to his mat, bed, etc from 5' away, one cue only, lies down, one cue only, and remains Down without fussing with no additional cues for one minute.
Heel
The dog and handler heel an about turn with eye contact.
Homework
The handler describes, in writing, ten reasons why a dog might not perform a required behavior.
Leash Manners
The dog maintains a loose leash while walking 40' in a straight line, with no more than two cues, with one distraction. The cues may be given at any point during the behavior.
On the Road
The dog must pass the Level One tests in a strange outdoor area of the tester's choice.
Sit
The dog "Sits" from "Stand" on one cue only from 10' away. The dog may drift off the position where he was standing, but there must be a fairly immediate response to the cue.
Sit Stay
The dog "Sits" and stays while partner walks 20' out, stays away for 30 seconds, and comes back. One cue is allowed for the "Sit", and two cues for the "Stay".
(There will be one mild distraction.)
Stand Stay
The dog "Sit-Stays" for examination - a touch of the head and withers by the tester.
Trick
The dog performs a shaped trick of the partner's choice.
Watch
The dog finds the handler's face and holds eye contact for 30 seconds with as many voice cues as necessary. Glancing away is acceptable but any prolonged look is not.
Zen
The dog stays off a treat in a stranger's hand for 20 seconds, one cue only. The stranger will not entice the dog, but will not appear to protect the treat.
(Note: It is not in anyone's best interest to actually allow the dog to get the treat.)

Optional Behaviors

Successful completion of Level Three, requires the dog and handler team to pass 4 out of 8 optional behaviors.

Contacts
The dog walks a flat board with a click on or immediately after the down contact.
Distance
The dog goes around a pole 4' away on one cue only.
Front
The dog must hit the centre line of a Front-Ray diagram three times in a row, with no more than five tries. Any number of cues are allowed, but the dog must decide what is correct. A "Sit" is not necessary. Begin the behavior with the dog a distance of about five feet in front of the handler.
Handling
The dog eliminates on cue. Tester should allow no more than two minutes for elimination to begin after the first cue is given.
Retrieve
The dog nose-targets four different objects including a dumbell, on one cue each.
Scenting
The dog finds a treat hidden under a cup or piece of cloth. There should be a cue to find it.
Stand
The dog "Stands" from a "Sit" on one cue only.
(Note: This behavior is performed with the dog beside or in front of the handler.)
Target
The dog targets a spot on the floor with his nose or his foot from 10' away, with no more than two cues. A "Look" cue before sending is acceptable.

Once your team has successfully completed Level Three, you are ready to move on to Level Four.