In order to be taken on as a trainee search-dog, Venn will have to pass the OBEDIENCE TEST and the STOCK TEST (but more of this one later). These probably have their origins in the training of air-scenting dogs that work at distance from their handler, and may seem less relevant to a dog working on a line, but it provides a common standard of behaviour and is a good way to assess the ability of the dog to learn, and the handler to teach.
The obedience test criteria are as follows:
1- Dog to walk to heel on and off the lead.
2- Dog stay 10 minute, handler to walk up to 25m from dog 5 minutes with handler out of sight of dog.
3- Dog recalled whilst mixing with other dog /handlers.
4- Dog put into down/stop position away from handler plus whilst mixing with other dog.
A quick bench-marking exercise for Venn:
1- Only on lead, and only if continuously biting my trouser leg counts as “walking.”
2- 2 seconds at 1.5 m (max)
3- Nope. Work in progress
4- Nope. Only at very close quarters and with a hand full of treats.
We have some way to go!
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