Each assessment level is made up of 3 parts, and the entrants are required to successfully complete part 1 before they are permitted to enter part 2 and so forth. The welfare of the dogs remains the priority throughout these assessments, so progression to more complex and physically demanding levels may appear slow. The dog and handler need to develop as a team both physically and psychologically over a period of time, so that they may safely and successfully complete each level of these assessments.

There are a set amount of points that the team is permitted to lose in each part of the assessment, but if this total is exceeded then the result will be a fail.

The team will be deducted points for the following: -

• A general lack of control.
• A lack of control on turns
• A lack of control on recalls
• Poor teamwork between the handler and dog
• Poor response when commanded to stop
• The lead used to reinforce commands
• Excessive commands used before dog responds
• The dog dictating the pace

As the assessment levels progress, the breaking of sit and down stays becomes an instant fail, rather than a deduction of points.

Part 1: Introduction to Harness (on lead). The handler is assessed on their ability to safely fit a harness on to the dog.

Part 2: A short control course (on lead). The dog is assessed on how willing it is to work while wearing the harness. The handler is assessed on well they handle the dog during the course. The course will include 3 right turns, 1 left turn and 2 about turns.

Part 3: Introduction to traces (on lead). The handler is assessed on their ability to safely fit the traces to the harness being worn by the dog. The dog will be required to remain under control while walking in a straight line for approx 25m. During this period a person shall hold the ends of the traces behind the dog, and will move the traces up and down and side to side whilst applying slight resistance, so the dog may be assessed on how it would react to pulling a draught apparatus. On completion of the straight line the "team" will complete a fig 8 in the same manner.

Part 1: Introduction to Harness (on lead). The handler is assessed on their ability to safely fit a harness on to the dog.

Part 2: Exercise 1: 1 minute sit (on lead). If the dog breaks the sit a 2^nd attempt is permitted.

Exercise 2: A short control course (on lead). The dog is assessed on how willing it is to work while wearing the harness. The handler is assessed on well they handle the dog during the course. The course will include 3 right turns, 2 left turns and 2 about turns.

Part 3: Introduction to traces (on lead). The handler is assessed on their ability to safely fit the traces to the harness being worn by the dog. The dog will be required to remain under control while walking in a straight line for approx 25m. During this period a person shall hold the ends of the traces behind the dog, and will move the traces up and down and side to side whilst applying slight resistance, so the dog may be assessed on how it would react to pulling a draught apparatus. On completion of the straight line the "team" will complete a fig 8 in the same manner.

Part 1: Control section (on lead) approx 50m course including;

2 left turns

2 right turns

2 about turns

10 second stand wait

1 minute sit stay

Recall from end of lead.

Part2: Introduction to traces (on lead) approx 50m course including:

2 left turns

2 right turns

2 about turns

Part 3: Introduction to shafts (on lead) 25m in a straight line.

Shafts are placed in the harness "shaft straps" and the unattached end is held by a steward following behind the dog. The dog is assessed on how willing it is to work with the shafts being used. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog.

Part 1: Control Section (on lead) approx 50m course including between 6 and 8 turns made up of between:

1 & 3 left turns

1 & 3 right turns

1 & 3 about turns

10 second stand wait

1-minute down-stay

2-metre recall (off lead)

Part 2: The pull section 25 metres (on lead): an unwheeled apparatus (sled/ log or drag item) is attached to the harness, and the dog must pull/drag the item for 25m in a straight line.

The dog is assessed on how it reacts to pulling the unwheeled apparatus and how willing it is to work while pulling. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog.

Part 3: The haul section 25 metres (on lead): a light weight wheeled apparatus is attached to the harness, and the dog must then haul the apparatus for 25m in a straight line. The dog is assessed on how it reacts to the wheeled apparatus and how willing it is to work while attached to the wheeled apparatus. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog.

Part 1: Control section (on lead) approx 75m course including between 6 and 8 turns made up of between:

1 & 3 left turns

1 & 3 right turns

1 & 3 about turns

10 second stand wait

90 second sit-stay

3 metre recall (off lead)

1 min group down stay

Part 2: The haul section (on lead) approx 150m. The "team" (handler and dog) are required to haul a cart/wagon type draught apparatus of a course of approx 150m including:

1 left turn

1 right turn

1 about turn

Part 3: The manoeuvring section (on lead). The course will be approx 50 meters in length and will include 6 of the following obstacles:

Gate, chicane, figure 8, funnel, right angle turn, ramps, kerbs, weave, rattle board, ribbon rail, noise distraction, loading of item, unloading of item, stop within designated area.

In parts 2 & 3 the dog is assessed on how it reacts to pulling the cart/wagon and how willing it is to work while pulling. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog.

Part 1: Control section (on lead) approx 75m course including between 7 and 9 turns made up of between:

1 & 3 left turns

1 & 3 right turns

1 & 3 about turns

2 x 10 second stand-waits, 1 random, 1 in same location for all dogs

90 second down-stay

5 metre recall (off lead)

90 second group down stay

Part 2: The manoeuvring section (on lead). The course will be approx 75 meters in length and will include 6 of the following obstacles:

Gate, chicane, figure 8, funnel, right angle turn, ramps, kerbs, weave, rattle board, ribbon rail, noise distraction, loading of item, unloading of item, stop within designated area.

Part 3: The haul section (on lead) approx ½ mile. The "team" (handler and dog) are required to haul a cart/wagon type draught apparatus over a course that includes the following obstacles which can be naturally occurring:

A gate, right and left turns, a series of fairly tight "s" bends, slight inclines and people and dogs that may cause distraction to the teams.

In parts 2 & 3 the dog is assessed on how it reacts to pulling the cart/wagon and how willing it is to work while pulling. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog and well they work as a team with their dog.

Part 1: Control section (on lead) approx 100m course including between 8 and 10 turns made up of between:

Min 3 left turns, (1 at slow pace)

Min 3 right turns (1 at slow pace)

Min 2 about turns (1 at slow pace)

1min Stand-stay

2 x 20 second stand-waits, 1 random, 1 in same location for all dogs

5 metre recall (off lead)

90 second group sit stay

Part 2: The manoeuvring section (on lead). The course will be approx 75 meters in length and will include between 6 and 8 of the following obstacles:

Gate, chicane, figure 8, funnel, right angle turn, ramps, kerbs, weave, rattle board, ribbon rail, noise distraction, loading of item, unloading of item, stop within designated area, 2 m recall while hitched to cart, steps.

Part 3: The haul section (on lead) approx 1 mile. The "team" (handler and dog) are required to haul a cart/wagon type draught apparatus over a course that includes the following obstacles which can be naturally occurring:

A gate, right and left turns, a series of fairly tight "s" bends, slight inclines, steps and people and dogs that may cause distraction to the teams.

In parts 2 & 3 the dog is assessed on how it reacts to pulling the cart/wagon and how willing it is to work while pulling. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog and well they work as a team with their dog.

Part 1: Control section (on lead) approx 100m course including 10 turns made up of between:

Min 3 left turns, (1 at fast pace)

Min 3 right turns (1 at fast pace)

Min 2 about turns (1 at fast pace)

90 second Stand-stay

3 x 10 second stand-waits, 1 random, 2 in same locations for all dogs (1 while at fast pace)

7 metre recall (off lead)

Reasonably straight reverse of 1 meter.

2 Minute group down stay

Part 2: The manoeuvring section (on lead). The course will be approx 75 meters in length and will include between 6 and 8 of the following obstacles:

Gate, chicane, figure 8, funnel, right angle turn, ramps, kerbs, weave, rattle board, ribbon rail, noise distraction, loading of item, unloading of item, stop within designated area, 5 m recall while hitched to cart, steps, 1m reverse while hitched, tight "s" bends, spiral.

Part 3: The haul section (on lead) approx 2 mile. The "team" (handler and dog) are required to haul a cart/wagon type draught apparatus over a course that includes the following obstacles which can be naturally occurring:

A gate, right and left turns, a series of fairly tight "s" bends, inclines and people and dogs that may cause distraction to the teams. There will also be a 1 minute out of sight down stay, a 1 metre reverse and 1 other obstacle/element that will be selected by the judge.

In parts 2 & 3 the dog is assessed on how it reacts to pulling the cart/wagon and how willing it is to work while pulling. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog and well they work as a team with their dog.

Level 8 Gold: Min age 2 ½ years Max age 7 Years.

Part 1: Control section (on lead) approx 125m course with changes of pace between normal, fast & slow and including:

At least 3 left turns, (at least 1 at each pace)

At least 3 right turns (at least 1 at each pace)

At least 3 about turns (at least 1 at each pace)

90 second Stand-stay

3 x 20 second stand-waits each stop/wait to be executed at a different pace 1 being random.

10metre recall (off lead)

Reasonably straight reverse of 2 meters.

3 Minute group down stay

Part 2: The manoeuvring section (on lead). The course will be approx 125 meters in length and will include at least 10 of the following obstacles:

Gate, chicane, figure 8, funnel, right angle turn, ramps, kerbs, weave, rattle board, ribbon rail, noise distraction, loading of item, unloading of item, stop within designated area, 6 m recall while hitched to cart, steps, 2m reverse while hitched, tight “s” bends, spiral.

Part 3: The haul section (on lead) approx 3mile. The “team” (handler and dog) are required to haul a cart/wagon type draught apparatus over a course that includes the following obstacles which can be naturally occurring:

A gate, right and left turns, a series of fairly tight ”s” bends, some steep inclines, steps and people and dogs that may cause distraction to the teams. There will also be a 2 minute out of sight down stay, a 2 metre reverse and 1 other obstacle/element that will be selected by the judge. In parts 2 & 3 the dog is assessed on how it reacts to pulling the cart/wagon and how willing it is to work while pulling. The handler is assessed on how they control and reassure the dog and well they work as a team with their dog.