Creating a working/training/character test - what should it look like?

[GalomyOak]

I plan to watch a working aptitude evaluation for Dobermans, sponsored by a local doberman club next month. Dogs that pass the exam receive a certificate saying that they have "working aptitude". Here is an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBoWSuQWf-U

And of course, we are all familiar with schutzhund/IPO work. I am starting to think of what a "breed specific exam" might look like for our breed. I think it should include these components:

1. SVP test
2. Tracking (or trailing?) test
3. Obedience test

Since bonitation is a one time event, I would keep that seperate, I think...

Should protection be a part of the exam? I like the scenarios in the Doberman temperament evaluation - portions of it remind me of the temperament portion of the Czech bonitation I was very lucky to attend. Would this short temperament test be a more reasonable test than the more involved and precise protection exams of schutzhund/IPO? I like the ideas of increasing levels of difficulty as well (like IPO 1, IPO 2, IPO 3). Is there anything else that should be included? Thoughts? Just daydreaming of the day we have any such breed specific exams in the USA...I love working with my dogs!

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by GalomyOak

I Is there anything else that should be included? Thoughts? Just daydreaming of the day we have any such breed specific exams in the USA...I love working with my dogs!

I guess we had same topic before... It was maybe about creating a separate test for wolfdogs (like GSD have IPO, belgians have mondioring, etc.), which sounds me like a good idea.

[*Satu]

in Finland all working test have obedience test also. (like in tracking JK1,JK2,JK3 classes) Normal you need passed obedience first then you can go tracking...

This is tracking obe JK3 class

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHGFH...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRZCyEnxoIg

That obediense is different than Real Obedience test (open to all breeds)

Rescue tracking and rescue search are total different also.

[wolfin]

this is normal typical IPO B obedience test.

[Rona]

I think there should be a few character/work tests available. Depending on where the dog lives, what is expected from him/her and what the owner considers crucial for the behaviour in a particular setting their could select 2-3 out of 6-7 approved and standardized tests to take and get a "character/work certifiate". This could be defence, OB, tracking/trailing, endurance runs, "socialisation" ie. Dog Citizen Exam, agility, herding, etc.

I think it's unfair to test all the dogs against ONE criterion, if they live in so many different environments and so different kinds of behaviour are expected from them.

[*Satu]

Workingtest is total different than charactertest.

I know very many dogs who have working tittles but doesn´t passed FCI charactertest.

Originally Posted by Rona

I think it's unfair to test all the dogs against ONE criterion, if they live in so many different environments and so different kinds of behaviour are expected from them.

I think the idea, though, is to create a more unified idea of where we want the temperament and working ability to go in the future. To create even more of a predictable, standard temperament in the breed. This won't stop people from indulging in other activities with their dogs as the AKC and UKC have a variety of sports you can participate in. All it will do is create a test based on the things CsVs are BEST at; the things breeders will work towards in their dogs.

As far as the test goes, I like the ideas Marcy's already mentioned. I would either leave off protection, or add a separate test for it that you can obtain an additional title in. I think ALL CsV should be able to pass endurance, obedience, and trailing, but that protection should be more of a case by case basis. Just my 2 cents.

[Tazer]

In uk working trials, as far as I'm aware, the defence/protection part is optional, rather than required.

So you can do the obedience, tracking etc, without the bite work if you want to.


Taz

[GalomyOak]

In the US, we use the following terms:

Trial = Obedience, Schutzhund (all parts)
Test = Tracking (AKC), Canine Good Citizen (Character test)

A character test is very short, and I agree, it doesn't necessarily show the drive of the dog (or rather, it maybe trained or misinterpreted). Also, I agree that not all dogs need/should be trained in protection. Also I agree that "sport" dogs maybe totally different than what a handler desires, even in protection - working more from a prey drive than defense, and maybe not as serious or "sleeve happy" (only wanting to bite a sleeve).

We are in a position now of introducing our breed to the AKC. We have requested to join the "Working" group (instead of herding) - AKC also plans to "realign" it's groups, and the working group will be split into 3 - spitz/northern, mollesar and working utility. We hope to be included in "working utility", which includes multi-purpose breeds with a variety of jobs, from a variety of background. AKC wants to know what kind of work/tests/trials we plan to breed, train and compete towards. It is kind of a neat thing to be able to create exactly what we want in terms of tests or trials...but also very important to be headed in the right direction!

I think a CSV specific trial should maybe look like:

Part 1: Obedience
Part 2: Natural tracking/trailing (AKC tracking is a "hybrid" of IPO and trailing - the dog must take all corners, but may "cast" off of the trail very far - there are no points given, only a "pass" (if the scent article is found), or a "fail" - in more advanced levels, the track is 3-5 hours old, much longer, obstacles such as water, and more scent articles. We also have a tracking test for urban/city environments. A test for CSV might focus more on a faster time, and less on "exactness" of following the tracks - more like trailing.
Part 3: Endurance (something like SVP, but also maybe something else - dependent upon local terrain - like a course through mountain trails, for instance)

Optional test (sort of like an FH or AD in schutzhund): Protection

Seperate Character test (or maybe mandatory to participate in the :
a. test specific to the CSV (I look forward to seeing Wolfin's new test that she referred to!) - this should be included with bonitation
b. minimum - Canine Good Citizen test (to ensure civility of the dog in public situations)

At least in the USA, it is possible to compete in many sports, including tracking, obedience, agility, rally obedience, dock diving, therapy work, nosework (scent detection) - and since recently, an aptitude test for lure-coursing and herding - for all breeds. So I don't think it should be a problem for anyone who wishes to try and (or all!) of these.

I have already sent the AKC these videos:

http://www.swr.de/im-gruenen-rp/-/id=100810/did=5436364/pv=video/nid=100810/4meu2n/index.html