Hi;
I wrote this article on preparing for the BH and was wondering if anyone would let me know what they think. I have a feeling I'm missing something and I'm not sure that I got the name of the test correct. I wrote it using information from a few books and a few articles I found online. I'm also asking because some of my sources may be out of date and the procedures could have changed.
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So you've decided to take a leap and get your Rottweiler his BH (Begleithunde (Companion Dog) Obedience) title.
Now its time to prepare! Hopefully you've been working consistantly with a Shutzhund trainer and have worked your dog well up til this point. Now how do you prepare
for the actual test? First off, have a qualified trainer, experienced in this area, evaluate you working your dog.
Don't use the same trainer you've been working with - you want a fresh point of view. You may want to walk the patterns
alone the first few times, just to get the feel of things, and have your handling skills evalutated. You may be over handling your dog, sending subconscious signals, going too fast or too slow, etc. I'll relate a story to you, as you may not get what I'm try to say. A good friend of mine had
worked her dog consistantly, for over a year. He was middle-age to be starting training, but she used a good trainer and was wanting to go out for his first title. So, she had a trainer she knew, evaluate her working the dog on the patterns. As she
started out walking away from the person evaluating her on a basic heel free, she was immediately stopped. "Your following the
dog too much," the trainer said. She didn't understand, so we laid out tape in a straight line to show her. She tried her
best several times to stay on the line, but found herself traveling sideways so it looked like the dog was at her side.
She had actually made it over 12 feet away from the line on measurement, going slowly across. Well a year after practicing
on the line and studying all the patterns carefully to be sure she knew what she was doing, her dog got his titles and is now
training for more advanced titles. Whats the point? You may not know what your doing until you get someone to evaluate
you individually, and working your dog.
You will also want to use your mind to think about every little detail in the test. This is a good time to go over a few, "what if"
situations. What if there is a hole? What if its muddy? What if it rains? If possible, look over the area where the test will
be held. Maybe there is tall grass and your dog has only worked on dirt. Now don't get carried away until your nerves are shot.
I'm sure there will be no tidal wave, flash flood, tornado, fire, etc during your test. Try to loosen up a bit now, calm yourself
throughly before you take your first step in the test. A dog as highly intelligent as the one your taking the test with can sense your tension and will be completely thrown off. If you do get overly nervous, before heading towards the trial field, pull out a toy and just spend alittle time with your dog. If that doesn't work, imagine how good it will feel when you pass with flying colors. When everyone cheers and gives you their praise.
And how fast your dogs little stubby tail will wag. Are you ready?
Now for the test. There are two parts to this test, and you should be ready for both. The Obedience portion and the "traffic sureness test." The Obedience portion will be very basic, standard work. The Traffic sureness test will be the difficult part because there are only a few ways to be
prepared. Be prepared for anything and everything, and hope that your dog is focused on the test and not what his next
meal will be.
Now I'm guess this is your first BH test; otherwise I don't know why you'd need to read this article. Be completely
open to learning at the trial, and don't be a know it all. You'll want to know when and where the BH test will be held, and if your not the first one up, watch a few dogs do it
before you. It is ok to ask the judge what they are going to look for, of course most judges will tell you ahead of time. Be sure to give them a chance and listen - they won't
repeat themselves. Find out ahead of time whether the judge will give instructions to start each new exercise or if its
expected that you just go ahead and the judge will be looking. Some judges can be picky about this point, so clear it up
beforehand.
While waiting for your call on to the field, you can start to build your dogs excitement. Do what needs to be done to show him its time to have fun. Don't get too carried
away as you don't want your dog exhausted or bouncing off the walls. It is also good to point out that you need to leave all toys and treats off the field.
When you are called onto the field, check the dog, check yourself, take a deep breath, and be confident. Be sure the lead is slacked as you don't want to start the test,
struggling to keep the dog at your side. For the actual test, you will be paired with another dog and handler and will need to report to the judge with them. Have
your dog heeling (on leash) and head up to the judge. When you stop, the dog should sit in heel position. You will need to state your name, your dog's call name, and
that you are reporting for the BH. You will either be directed to the location of the long down exercise or to the location of the moving exercises. Be sure that you know the order (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in which you'll
being doing the moving or long down exercises.
Each of the obedience routines start from the basic position. The basic position will be at a starting point which will be marked or indicated by the judge. You will need to be in heel position, standing confidently. Your dog should be sitting straight
with his right shoulder blade next to your left knee. You only have one chance to get into this position. There is no moving to re-adjust if the dog is sitting incorrectly. A good point to remember is that you can
only praise a dog after you complete an individual exercise and have returned to the basic position. Do not hug, kiss, leap about, baby talk, etc your dog or
he may break the basic position and become excited. This is not permitted. Smile at your dog, give him a brief pat on the head, a scratch on the ear, and low-key verbal praise.
Upon completing your routines, you and the handler you've been paired up with will report back to the judge. You will be directed to stand in front of the spectators for a critique. Its good to have your dog in a sit or down position while you listen. Always face the crowd and always remember to be a good sport. Remember your smile, your
"thank you", and shake hands with the judge at the end of the critique. And most important - remember to praise your dog at the end of the test. Pass or fail, you will
always have your dog and that is always the most important thing.
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Ok, don't be too harsh...I can't take critism!
http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif Ok, I can take it if you can help me fix the article. I re-read it and it seems so un-informative (not a good thing I'm guessing
http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif )
- Dana -