Mary Allen
People get a dog for a variety of reasons. While some are looking for a loyal companion and friend, other people also focus on the protective and guard function or dog sport. A large number of offers and courses from different providers are now available for the various areas of application. The companion dog test and the associated training are important basic training. The focus is, among other things, on obedience and behavior in public. As described below, the exam consists of four parts, each of which must be passed separately. The objectives and content of the exam are explained below.
Goals
Through extensive training and the final test, the suitability of the dog for everyday use should be checked. As the smallest dog sport test, it is also the basis for further, progressive tests and activities in a dog sport such as tournament sport and higher performance tests. Passing the test confirms to you and your dog that you are a good team and can build on that.
Requirements
There are certain admission requirements for taking the exam. In principle, you can take the test with any dog that is at least 15 months old and can be clearly identified by a tattoo or chip. A performance certificate or papers such as the family tree can serve as proof. Furthermore, the dog must be vaccinated and the dog owner should have liability insurance. As a dog handler, you must also be a member of a VDH association. You can participate in an appointment with a maximum of two dogs; each dog, however, only with a dog handler. Before the start of the examination, you as the owner must also prove in a competence test that you have mastered the necessary basics.
The clubs in the VDH that are authorized to conduct examinations include:
- General German Rottweiler Club (ADRK) e.V.
- Boxer Club e.V.
- German Dog Sports Association (DHV) e.V.
- German Malinois Club e.V.
- German Association of Working Dog Sports Clubs (DVG) e.V.
- German Bouvier Club from 1977 e.V.
- Dobermann Club e.V.
- International Boxer Club e.V.
- Club for Terriers e.V
- Pinscher Schnauzer Club e.V.
- Breeding Club for Hovawart Dogs e.V.
- German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.
- Association for German Shepherd Dogs (SV) e.V.
In addition, the passing of the examination may be entered in the performance records of the
- Club for British Herding Dogs e.V.
- Association of Poodle Friends Germany e.V.
- German Club for Belgian Shepherd Dogs e.V.
- Club Berger des Pyrénées 1983 e.V.
Procedure for the Companion Dog Test
Examination Part I – Theoretical, written examination
In the first part of the companion dog test, you have to prove your specialist knowledge of dogs and dog ownership. The part mainly contains multiple-choice questions (to tick) and also some open-ended questions that have to be answered in the long text. Depending on the association, the questions vary somewhat. If at least 70% of the questions are answered correctly, this part of the test is passed. This certificate of competence is only to be provided once by each owner and is then also valid for other tests.
Part II of the test – identification of the dog and impartiality test
This part of the test includes identifying the dog using a tattoo number or chip. The impartiality test – also called the character test – can be carried out outside the practice field, or directly before the following part on the practice field. The performance judge or the training supervisor touches your dog here and tests its behavior towards other people and dogs. Your dog should not react fearfully or aggressively here.
Examination part III – obedience
This is followed by the main part of the companion dog test. The human-dog team is judged here on the training ground. Your dog’s obedience is tested with a few commands. This includes walking on a leash (normal step and fast step, slow step, and angle work. Your dog must walk closely, happily, and attentively next to you here. Before the start of the exercise, you as the dog handler can give a command. When standing still, the dog should be able to walk independently sit next to you, the leash should be slightly slack throughout the exercise and the dog should follow on its own.
In the next exercise, you and your dog walk through a group of people several times and stop near a stranger. The dog should sit down independently, calmly, and uninterested. The same exercise is then performed without a leash. A predetermined running pattern is often used for this part of the test. Two more exercises follow without a leash, i.e. in free rotation.
This includes the sitting exercise. You run along a straight line with your dog following in foot position, and then after 10-15 steps take a basic stance where you command the dog to sit. You then move another 15 steps away from the dog and then pick it up again. The dog should remain seated attentively until given the command to follow (“foot”).
The second off-leash exercise is stepping down and approaching. The starting point is the position 15 steps away from the previous exercise, then you take up the basic position, give the command “down” and move away from another 30 steps. Then you call the dog over to you. He should come immediately and quickly and sit right in front of you, looking attentively. After the command “heel” the dog has to sit on your left side. This exercise is usually completed by two teams (dog and owner) at the same time, with one owner always letting his dog “lie down”. The owner first lets the dog sit down (with the command “sit”), then unleashes it and lets it lie down (usually with the command “down”). Then the holder moves 30 paces away and stands with his back to him.
Points are awarded for these exercises. If you have at least 70% of the achievable 60 points (i.e. 42 points) you have passed the part and the exam can be continued.
Part IV of the test – external test/traffic part
In the last part of the companion dog test, real outdoor conditions are tested and your dog has to show indifferent behavior. The test part is often carried out in heavily frequented places such as parking lots or train stations. Your dog should neither tug on the leash nor be pulled. Additional situations such as a screaming child or a cyclist are often simulated. Sometimes a tie-up exercise is also integrated, in which the dog should remain calm and relaxed on its own despite various people passing by with and without a dog.
If all parts of the test are passed, you have passed the companion dog test. This is followed by a final discussion and written confirmation of passing.
Depending on the testing club, there may be variations and minor deviations in the testing process.