Some Early Search-Dog Goals

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.

Does this count as "stay"?

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!