water test

[ArtfulCharm]

I am trying to get Chloe ready for a water test next month and have been going over the rules. I was under the impression that in the basic control portion the dog dog is supposed to heel and sit when you stop (like in obedience). But now that Im reading over the rules, it doesnt say anything about sitting. So does the dog have to sit or not?

I'll have to see how it goes with our training, but I was thinking it would be better to not have her sit every time I stop since I am showing her in conformation too. Does anyone know?

 

[KatieB]

She doesn't have to sit everytime just has to be under control and near your side. Obedience for the water test is pretty lax but work hard on it so you know she'll do great. You want her to get in the habit of sitting so that when in an actual obedience ring she does sit and doesn't lose points. There's too many other ways to lose points in obedience so having the automatic sit is great. As far as teaching water/obedience and conformation I think it's no problem to do both. I do both with Mojo and he understands the difference between conformation ring and obedience. He's never sat down for me in conformation as I give him a firm stand command and in obedience my posture is different and he sits at each halt. Your girl should be able to easily do both if you train her with the proper commands.

 

[911Newfs]

Basic Control Exercises:

• Controlled walking: Off leash, in heel position, remaining within arm's lenght of the handler, as the handler follows the judges commands to go forward, make a left , right , and about turns, and halt. Rules/Regs do not indicate dog has to sit in heel position during "halt."
• Recall: Off leash, the handler leaves the dog, crosses the ring and calls the dog.
• Down Stay: Off leash, group exercise, the handler puts dog in down-stay, crosses to other side of ring, while dogs remain in down-stay for one minute, handler returns to dogs side.

Many people show their dogs in conformation and obedience, training for both venues at the same time. Most dogs realize the differences so it really should not be a problem. As Katie indicated, teach and proof the automatic sit.


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[janices]

The obedience is looser. Have to show the newf is under control. It's a controlled walking.

 

[ardeagold]

Don't feel bad for not understanding. I'm in the same position.

I'm used to field trials with sporting dogs and they have to sit at your side until the bumper/bird is "released" (via a launcher where it sails out of sight), then can't go, can't stand, can't wiggle forward...NOTHING...until the command to go is given.

Then when the dog brings it back they MUST sit in front of you and return it TO HAND. Can't drop it, period. Definitely can't fight you for it.

I've heard the water test (the WD) is much more lax. The dog can anticipate the throw of the bumper (wiggle wiggle bark, GO - without your command), and as long as he/she brings it onshore to you, totally out of the water, even if he/she is reluctant to "let go", it's good.

However, if you can integrate the obedience training of having the dog return to you and immediately sit in front (and "give" or "drop" to hand)...and the *sit/stay* on your left side until you release...that can't be a bad thing in the water training arena either.

Don't know if this is true, but I'll find out next weekend!

They can be taught the difference in sit and stand. Cole knows the difference just by my hand motions (I don't have to speak at all), however, if you're not careful in the conformation ring, and raise your hand in a way that gives him the "sit" command...he may sit. Happened once with Cole when my handler did that. Once she realized what happened, she became more aware in the ring.

 

[pecanpiepatti]

We're also doing both, and as someone told us, if you can teach a dog to sit (as in formal obedience when stopped), you can teach a dog to stand (in conformation).

 

[blphome]

I just attended the NCNC water training seminar. The WD rules can be found in pdf form on the NCA website under working dogs. There are also explanations found in Judy Adler's book Water Work, Water Play. Cant say that I know the rules specifically but I plan to study them before our test in the fall. When Lewis passed his CGC one of the stewards said we couldnt use a slip choker but the class instructor said slip or buckle collars were permissable; prongs and martingales werent permissable. Lewis passed with his buckle collar but I reminded the instructor and she corrected the steward. Better to know the rules and avoid someone putting their interpretations of the rules in the way of your success.

 

[CMDRTED]

Also a difference in regular Obedience to Basic Control, is that you can talk, clap, use hand signals in conjunction with verbal on the recall and other exercises, all kinds of fun stuff that a "true" obedience Judge or Non-Newf person would keel over and have a herat attack about.

 

[ArtfulCharm]

Nevermind... I had posted that we were also at the NCNC water seminar, but I was just looking up something on google and came across the website for the other NCNC which you must be talking about. We attended the NCNC (Newfoundland Club of Northern California) water seminar last week! What are the chances?

My sister in CO just got Judy Adler's book and was reading parts of it to me over the phone. It has already helped with our "take it" where Chloe likes to get lazy.

I just attended the NCNC water training seminar. The WD rules can be found in pdf form on the NCA website under working dogs. There are also explanations found in Judy Adler's book Water Work, Water Play. Cant say that I know the rules specifically but I plan to study them before our test in the fall. When Lewis passed his CGC one of the stewards said we couldnt use a slip choker but the class instructor said slip or buckle collars were permissable; prongs and martingales werent permissable. Lewis passed with his buckle collar but I reminded the instructor and she corrected the steward. Better to know the rules and avoid someone putting their interpretations of the rules in the way of your success.

 

[ArtfulCharm]

I know, Im really happy about that! I think Im going to try to treat it like a real obedience test, but use the extra cues as a back up. Im sure my "special" girl will need them. She is still a great big puppy a lot of the time:nod:

Also a difference in regular Obedience to Basic Control, is that you can talk, clap, use hand signals in conjunction with verbal on the recall and other exercises, all kinds of fun stuff that a "true" obedience Judge or Non-Newf person would keel over and have a herat attack about.