SOUTHERN GOLDEN RETRIEVER SOCIET

EXPLANATION OF OBEDIENCE TESTS

a. Heel on Lead -The dog should be sitting straight at the handler's side. On command the handler should walk briskly forward in a straight line with the dog at heel. The dog's shoulder should be approximately level

with and reasonably close to the handler's leg at all times when the handler is walking. The lead should be slack at all times. On the command to turn, the handler should turn smartly in the direction indicated and the dog should keep its position at the handler's side. Turning manoeuvres must not be coupled together. The handler and dog must be allowed several paces if required to turn again. On the command "Halt" the handler should halt immediately, and the dog should sit straight at the handler's side. Throughout the test the handler

may not touch the dog or make use of the lead without penalty.

(1) Pre-Beginners and Beginners Classes. In these classes the only permissible turns are turns of 90 degrees to the left or right and 180 degrees about turns to the right.

(2) Novice. Diagonal turns are permissible, however, it is not acceptable to include left about turns.

b Heel Free -The dog must be off the lead throughout this test. The Test must be carried out in the same manner as Heel on Lead and with the same restriction on turns except as specified below.

(1) Class A. Diagonal turns are permissible, however it is not acceptable to include left about turns.

(2) Classes B and C. Turns of up to 180 degrees to the left (left about turns) are permitted at normal and/or slow pace.

(3) Class C. Figures of eight and/or weaving between poles/markers may be introduced at slow and/or normal pace. Circles may also be included at any pace, but judges must ensure that such manoeuvres can be satisfactorily accomplished by all breeds entered in the Class. Heelwork patterns may also include multiple

or combination turns at normal and/or slow pace, provided that such turns, once started, must continue in the same direction and do not exceed a total of 360 degrees. For example a "Double left about turn" or a "left about turn-left turn" is permitted but a "left about turn-right turn" or an "About turn-left turn" is not.

(4) After the completion of a multiple or combination turn, the handler and dog must be allowed several paces if required to turn again.

c Recall - See specific Class Tests.

d. Retrieve a Dumb-bell/Article - At the start of this exercise the dog should be sitting at the handler's side. On command the handler must throw the dumb-bell/article in the direction indicated. The dog should

remain in the Sit position until the handler is ordered to send it to retrieve the dumb-bell/article. The dog should move out promptly at a smart pace to collect the dumb-bell/article cleanly. It should returnwith

the dumb-bell/article at a smart pace and sit straight in front of the handler. On command the handler should take the dumb-bell/article from the dog. On further command the dog should be sent to heel. In

ClassesA, B and C the test commences on the order "Last Command" to handler.

e. Stays-The Judge or Steward will direct handlers to positions in the ring. The command "Last Command" will be given and handlers should then instantly give their final command to their dogs. Any further

commands or signals to the dogs after this "Last Command" will be penalised. Handlers will then be instructed to leave their dogs and walk to positions indicated until ordered to return to them. These are group

tests and all dogs must compete together, but where this is impracticable at an indoor show, the Class may be equally divided but the Judging for the groups must be consecutive.

(1) Sit/Stay-Dogs should remain in the Sit position throughout the test.

(2) Down/Stay-Dogs should remain in the Down position throughout the test.

f. Scent Discrimination -

(1) Cloths must be placed in position by a steward and must be at least 1m (3ft) and not more than 1.6m (5ft) apart.

(2) The method of taking scent is at the handler's discretion. However, in Class C this shall not require the judge to place his hand on or lean towards the dog.

(3) In Class C, more than one decoy steward may be used, and each decoy steward is permitted to place a maximum of 2 cloths for each dog.

(4) Decoy stewards must not handle a cloth for longer than the handler in Class B, or the judge in Class C. Cloths must be stored out of reach of the dog whilst not in use.

(5) Any cloth which is fouled in any way e.g. mouthed, must be replaced with a fresh cloth.

(6) At the commencement of the test the dog must be brought to a designated point. The dog must be facing away from the cloths while scented/decoy cloths are placed in position. When the cloths have been placed, the handler must give the dog scent, stand up straight and send the dog on command fromthe judge or

steward to find the correct cloth. The dog, on finding the correct cloth must then complete the test as for the Retrieve Test.

(7) Limiting the time for this test is at the judge's discretion.