Companion Dog Test with Socialization Trial - BH

Obedience trial:

1. Basic requirements

Expression of behavior / self-confidence

In evaluation and awarding of ratings, special attention must be given to the expression of the dog's behavior. The dog must show that it wants to work, not that it is merely forced to do so. Dogs must show willingness to work for the handler and a free attitude, without pressure. The dog's expression must be assessed: body posture, ear and tail position, muscle tension, unnatural movements, breathing rhythm, salivation, anxious behavior, etc. Negative reactions to verbal commands will be penalized.

Motivation

The dog's performance must be cheerful and motivated - willingness to work and an enthusiastic performance are priorities.

Concentration / attention

The dog must pay attention to its handler throughout the entire examination, but without displaying an exaggerated, unnatural posture and gait. At the same time, it must execute commands promptly and without hesitation.

Team harmony

The performance of the handler and dog team must be harmonious, with the dog being handled in a natural and fluent movement and gait for the dog.

2. Technical execution

- in addition to a positive attitude and harmonious performance, attention must also be given to the technical aspects of execution.

Position: The dog must be correctly aligned, parallel to the handler, with the shoulder at the level of the handler's knee.

Verbal commands must be executed according to their description.

Evaluation principles

In evaluation, a distinction must be made between primary and secondary elements.

The primary elements of an exercise are described in the exercise title. It is important that the evaluation reflects the primary elements of the exercises more than any mistakes in secondary elements.

The dog's response to verbal commands

The dog must perform the exercise cheerfully, on the handler's command. Any behavior indicating fear or stress will result in point deductions.

Additional commands:
- first additional command: -1.5 points
- second additional command: -2.5 points

If a dog does not perform an exercise even after a second additional command, the exercise will be scored 0 points.

If a dog performs an incorrect position for an exercise (e.g.: sits on the "down" command), the exercise is reduced to 50% of its total points.

If a dog performs an exercise without (before) a command, 2 points will be deducted.

Basic position

The basic position refers to the dog sitting at the handler's left. Each exercise begins and ends with the basic position. The basic position may be taken only once in the introduction of an exercise. In the basic position the dog must be attentive to the handler, positioned straight on the handler's left so that its shoulder is at the level of the handler's left knee, sitting straight and parallel. In the basic position, the handler must stand upright, with arms naturally along the body.

Exercise introduction

The exercise introduction represents the starting part, including the basic position, of the exercises "sit from motion" / "down with recall". It takes place over a distance of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 steps, up to the point where the command is given to perform the exercise.

Pick-up

In exercises where the dog is picked up from a position, the pick-up may be done directly from the front or by going around behind.

Recall / Front basic position / Finish

For recalling the dog, the dog's name may be used instead of a recall command. Using both the dog's name and a recall command will be considered a double command. The dog must come to the recall cheerfully, directly, promptly, determined and motivated, and must sit close in front of the handler. On the command to move into the basic position, the dog must immediately move into the final position on the handler's left. When moving from the front position into the basic position, the dog may move to the handler's left either by going around to the right and behind the handler, or by passing in front and taking the sit directly on the handler's left, pivoting into the basic position. If the handler needs one additional command for the dog to move into the final basic position, 1.5 points will be deducted. If 2 additional commands are needed, 2.5 points will be deducted. If, after a total of 3 commands, the dog does not move into the basic position, the entire exercise may be graded with a maximum of "insufficient".

Rewarding

Verbal praise and / or petting the dog are permitted only after an exercise has been fully completed, for a maximum of 5 seconds; during this time, the dog may leave the basic position. If the final position of an exercise also constitutes the starting basic position of the next exercise, then after rewarding there must be a 3-second pause before starting the next exercise.

Presentation for the obedience trial

At the beginning of the obedience trial, competitors present themselves in pairs, together with their dogs, to the judge. The presentation is done with dogs on leash. Handlers will introduce their name, the dog's name, and the examination they are participating in.

Start and end of an exercise

The judge indicates the start of the exercise. All other elements of an exercise, such as turns, halts, and changes of pace, are carried out without the judge's signal. If the handler completely omits an exercise, the judge will request that the exercise be performed from the beginning. This will not result in a penalty. Omitting a part of an exercise is penalized.

Exercise description:

Start of the examination:

On the judge's signal, one of the two competitors moves to the starting point for the exercise "heeling on leash", and the other to the point for placing the dog in the down position for the exercise "down under distraction".

"Heeling on leash" - 30 points

At the start of the examination, the handler presents to the judge with the dog on leash, stating their name, the dog's name, and the examination they are participating in. Then, on the judge's instruction, they move to the starting point.

On the judge's signal, they start moving. From the basic position, the dog must, on the first command "Heel!", follow the handler cheerfully, attentively, confidently and determinedly, without stress and focused on the handler, remaining at all times with its shoulder level with the handler's knee, moving forward together parallel to the handler. They will walk in a straight line at a normal pace for 50 steps.

After 50 steps, a left about-turn is performed. Left about-turns in the heeling pattern must be performed with the handler pivoting to the left. The dog may turn behind the handler, going around to the right, or may turn directly to the left together with the handler, maintaining position with its shoulder level with the handler's left knee.

After the turn, the handler and dog team will proceed at a normal pace for 10 - 15 steps, then change to a run for another 10 - 15 steps, then to a slow pace for 10 - 15 steps, and then again to a normal pace for another 10 - 15 steps. At each change of pace, the command "Heel!" may be used. The changes of pace must be clearly recognizable, clearly differentiated from the normal pace, and executed without intermediate steps.

After the last 10-15 steps, the handler and dog team perform a halt. After the halt, they set off with the command "Heel!" and enter a moving group of 4 people positioned nearby.

In the group, the handler and dog team circle one person on the right and one person on the left (figure-eight movement) and perform a halt in the basic position. On the judge's signal, the handler and dog team leave the group, return to the start point and take the basic position for the next exercise.

Evaluation criteria

Faulty heeling will be penalized: incorrect positioning - too far ahead, too far behind and / or to the side, a faulty basic position, slow or hesitant sitting, additional commands, lack of attention, lack of determination and motivation, lack of concentration in all phases, apathetic attitude, signs of stress, nonverbal help given to the dog, or coercion.

"Sit from motion - 10 points

From the start point, on the command "Heel!" the handler and dog team proceed straight ahead. After 10-15 steps, the handler gives the command for the "sit" position. The handler may stop and, if necessary, remain next to the dog until it takes the sit position, or may continue moving. The dog must sit immediately. The handler continues 15 steps forward at a normal pace. The handler stops and turns to face the dog. On the judge's signal, the handler returns to the dog and takes the basic position.

Evaluation criteria

Faulty heeling will be penalized, as well as slow sitting and nervous or restless waiting, lack of attention, and behavior indicating stress. If, instead of sitting, the dog lies down or remains standing, 50% of the total points allocated to the exercise will be automatically deducted.

If a dog does not perform the exercise even after 3 commands (1 + 2 additional), the exercise receives 0 points; the examination continues with the next exercise.

Down with recall - 10 points

The handler and dog team proceed straight ahead. After 10-15 steps, the handler gives the command for the "down" position. The handler may stop and, if necessary, remain next to the dog until it takes the down position, or may continue moving. On the "down" command the dog must lie down immediately. The handler moves 30 steps forward at a normal pace, stops and turns to face the dog. On the judge's signal, the handler calls the dog with a recall command. The dog must come quickly directly to the handler, determined and without signs of stress, and must sit front, straight and close to the handler. The handler then gives the command to move into heel and the dog must move into the final basic position. The transition may be done by going around to the right and behind the handler, or directly to the handler's left. The dog is then leashed and the handler and dog team move either to the waiting point for the next exercise, or to the judge.

Evaluation criteria

Faulty heeling will be penalized, slow lying down in the down position, inattentive or agitated waiting, slow and undetermined coming on recall, as well as any help given by the handler or faulty positioning of the handler.

If, instead of lying down, the dog sits or remains standing, 50% of the total points allocated to the exercise will be automatically deducted.

If a dog does not perform an exercise even after 3 commands (1 + 2 additional), the entire exercise receives 0 points; the examination continues with the next exercise.

Down under distraction - 10 points

Before the beginning of the obedience trial for the paired handler and dog teams, the handler must leave their dog in the down position at the waiting place indicated by the judge.

In the basic position, the handler removes the dog's leash and places it in a pocket, or diagonally across the body, on the shoulder on the dog's side. On the judge's signal, the handler gives the command "down". The dog must lie down promptly, without stress. After the dog lies down, the handler must move at least 10 meters away, stop and stand calmly within the dog's field of view, turned in profile toward the dog and facing the examination area.

The dog must remain calm in the down position, without any intervention from the handler, while the other handler and dog team performs the obedience exercises. When the other team has finished the exercise "down with recall", on the judge's signal, the handler must return and position themselves on the right side of their dog. On another signal from the judge, the handler commands the dog to take the basic position.

A faulty basic position, help given by the handler, the dog's agitation in the down position, or an attitude indicating stress will be penalized.

If the dog leaves the down position by more than 3 m from the marked place before the other handler and dog team completes the exercise "heeling on leash", the exercise receives 0 points. For leaving the down position after this moment, the exercise may be scored with a maximum of 5 points.

BH obedience exercise scheme

Socialization trial

General provisions

Only dogs that have passed Trial A (obedience) may participate in the socialization trial.

The trial must be organized in public places (determined by the judge and the trial manager) such as streets, alleys, or pedestrian squares, i.e., outside the examination / training field. The examination must not obstruct public traffic.

Due to its particularities, this trial requires a long duration.

The examination must not be superficial due to the large number of participants.

For this trial, evaluation and awarding of ratings does not depend on points. For passing, the general impression left by the dog's behavior in public space and traffic is very important.

The exercises described below are indicative and may be modified by the judge depending on the conditions available to the organizer. The judge has the right to request the repetition or modification of an exercise in unclear situations when evaluating a dog.

Meeting a group of people

On the judge's signal, the handler with the dog on leash moves to the indicated area. The judge follows at an appropriate distance. The dog must heel on a loose leash, with its shoulder positioned level with the handler's knee. The dog must behave indifferently toward pedestrians or traffic.

Their route will intersect with that of a pedestrian who will cut across their path, and the dog must remain indifferent.

The handler and dog team continue moving and enter a group of at least 6 people. One of the people approaches the handler and they shake hands. The dog is given the command to sit or down and must remain in position during this brief interaction.

Meeting a cyclist

The handler and dog team move on and are overtaken, at a short distance, by a cyclist who, coming from behind, honks. The cyclist turns around and passes the handler and dog again, this time from the front, also honking. During the pass, the dog must be between the handler and the cyclist. The dog must see the cyclist and remain indifferent.

Reaction to cars

The dog must heel on a loose leash. The handler and dog team pass by a few cars. The engine of one car will be started. The door of another will be slammed. The handler and dog team move on, and a car stops next to them and the driver opens the window and interacts with the handler. The dog is positioned in sit or down. The dog must remain indifferent to cars and traffic noises.

Encounter with joggers or skaters

The handler and their dog move into a quieter area. At least 2 joggers overtake them without slowing down. The joggers pass the handler and dog team and then return, still jogging. The dog does not have to maintain strict heeling, but must not interact with the joggers. The handler is allowed to place the dog in the down or sit position. The exercise may also be carried out with skaters.

Behavior toward other dogs

On the judge's signal, the handler with the dog on leash moves in moderate traffic. When meeting another handler with a dog, the dog must remain indifferent. The handler may give the command "heel", or, as appropriate, "sit" or "down".

On the judge's signal, the handler ties the dog to a fixed point. The handler leaves and exits the dog's field of view. The dog may stay in any position - standing, sitting or lying down. During the handler's departure, another handler with a dog on leash passes by the examined dog at a distance of about 5 steps. During this entire time, the examined dog must remain calm and quiet. The helper dog must not be aggressive (must not pull hard on the leash, must not bark).

The judge decides whether the exercises are carried out in the same place for all participants, or whether they prefer to judge the dogs separately, in different locations.

Rules source: ach.ro

The complete and official rules are available for consultation here

This page was last edited on 23.12.2025.