Pass-up Criteria Beginners Class to Class One

MUST HAVE COMPLETED 4 WEEKS OF BEGINNERS TRAINING.

Preferably 4 consecutive weeks or within one calendar month.

In the case of Dogs and Handlers that have been a member of another Obedience club and claim to be at a higher level than Beginners, a Senior Instructor will evaluate the dog and handler and determine which class is most appropriate. In any event the handler must without question complete the one hour induction course.

Class One

All exercises on lead

In Class One, you and your dog will work on the following exercises:

• HEEL - loose lead, held in both hands
• RIGHT TURN
• RIGHT ABOUT TURN
• SIT - verbal and placement
• STAND - verbal and placement
• SIT STAY - on lead
• STAND STAY - alongside handler. Introduction to Stand for Examination
• RECALL - on lead from heeling. Dog to sit in front of handler. No return or finish.
• Use of Commands, Praise and Reprimand.

Your instructor will promote you to Class Two when you and your dog are performing these exercises to the required standard.

Pass-up Criteria Class One to Class Two

Dog must demonstrate that they are showing a willingness to obey the handler’s instructions to:

SIT, STAND, DROP, RIGHT TURN, RIGHT ABOUT TURN, RECALL, SIT STAY, STAND STAY alongside Handler, and that handlers are reinforcing the desired behaviour using a hands on approach where required.

The important element is that dogs and handlers are showing signs of improvement and starting to complete the exercises more willingly than in previous weeks.

Other exercises that may have been introduced are irrelevant at this stage.

Class Two

Training to a higher standard than Class One

All exercises on lead

In Class Two, you and your dog will work on the following exercises:

• HEEL - loose lead, held in both hands
• RIGHT TURN
• RIGHT ABOUT TURN
• LEFT TURN
• LEFT ABOUT TURN
• SIT - verbal (placement if required) progressing to automatic sitting
• STAND - verbal (placement if required). Introduce STAND hand signal
• DROP - verbal (placement if required). Introduce DROP hand signal
• SIT, STAND AND DOWN STAY - Handler one pace in front of the dog. Return around dog
• STAND FOR EXAMINATION - on loose lead. Handler to return around dog
• RECALL - on lead from heeling. Dog to sit in front of handler. No return or finish.
• Use of Commands, Praise and Reprimand.

Your instructor will promote you to Class Three when you and your dog are performing these exercises to the required standard.

Pass-up Criteria Class Two to Class Three

Dogs must demonstrate that they can execute:

• ALL CLASS ONE EXERCISES to a high standard
• AUTOMATIC SIT in most instances
• STAND, RIGHT & LEFT TURN promptly
• RIGHT & LEFT ABOUT TURN with minimum of fuss and handling of the dog
• SIT, STAND AND DOWN STAYS executed on a loose lead with the handler one pace in front
• DROP in most instances
• STAND FOR EXAM Dogs should be comfortable with the approach of an instructor
• RECALL ON LEAD a basic understanding

It is important that the handler understands the need to reinforce the desired behaviour using a hands on approach where required.

Class Three

Training to VCA CCD standard

Exercises on lead except where indicated

In Class Three, you and your dog will work on the following exercises:

• HEEL - loose lead in left hand only
• TURNS - all
• SIT - automatic
• STAND - with hand signal
• DROP - with hand signal
• Introduction to FAST PACE and SLOW PACE
• FIGURE EIGHT
• STAND FOR EXAMINATION - on lead
• RECALL - off lead. No return or finish.
• Introduction to FINISH
• SIT STAY - one minute, off lead. Handler 10 metres from dog.
• DOWN STAY - two minutes off lead. Handler 10 metres from dog.
• Use of Commands, Praise and Reprimand.

Your instructor will promote you to Class Four when you and your dog are performing these exercises to the required standard.

Pass-up Criteria Class Three to Class Four

Any dog and handler combination that obtains a CCD pass (qualifying score) in a DOGS Victoria sanctioned trial or Club or Intra Club FunDay at Class Three must progress to Class Four.

If the dog is not trialing then the dog and handler combination must demonstrate they can meet the criteria stipulated by DOGS Victoria that would obtain a CCD pass (qualifying score). A Senior instructor must evaluate the dog and handler if this approach is used to pass a dog up.

Class Four

Training to VCA CCD standard, progressing to VCA Novice standard

Exercises on lead except where indicated

In Class Four, you and your dog will work on the following exercises:

• HEEL - lead in left hand only. Introduction to off-lead heeling (short periods only)
• TURNS - all
• SIT - automatic
• STAND - with hand signal
• DROP - with hand signal
• FAST PACE and SLOW PACE
• FIGURE EIGHT
• STAND FOR EXAMINATION - off lead
• RECALL - off lead with return. No finish
• FINISH - not with recall
• Introduction to CHANGE OF POSITION
• Introduction to RETRIEVE DUMB-BELL on flat
• SIT STAY - one minute, off lead. Handler 12 metres from dog
• DOWN STAY - three minutes off lead. Handler 12 metres from dog

Your instructor will promote you to Class Five when you and your dog are performing these exercises to the required standard.

Class Five

Training to VCA Novice standard, progressing to VCA Open standard

Exercises on lead except where indicated

In Class Five, you and your dog will work on the following exercises:

• HEEL - on and off lead
• TURNS - all
• SIT - automatic
• STAND - with hand signal
• DROP - with hand signal
• FAST PACE and SLOW PACE
• FIGURE EIGHT
• STAND FOR EXAMINATION - off lead
• RECALL - off lead no drop
• Introduction to DROP ON RECALL
• Introduction to DISTANCE CONTROL
• Introduction to RETRIEVE DUMB-BELL over solid jump
• Introduction to BROAD DUMP
• FINISH - not with recall
• SIT STAY - one minute, progressing to Handler out of sight
• DOWN STAY - three minutes progressing to Handler out of sight

Your instructor will promote you to Class Six when you and your dog are performing these exercises to the required standard.

Class Six

Training to VCA Open Standard. For dogs with a VCA Open Obedience Trial Pass

All exercises off lead

In Class Six, you and your dog will work on the following exercises:

• Heel Free
• Turns - all
• Sit - automatic
• Stand
• Drop
• Fast Pace & Slow Pace
• Figure Eight
• Stand for Examination
• Drop on Recall
• Retrieve dumb-bell on flat
• Retrieve dumb-bell over solid jump
• Broad jump
• Distance Control
• Sit Stay - three minutes, Handler out of sight
• Down Stay - five minutes progressing to Handler out of sight

Instructors at this level must be familiar with the current VCA rulebook