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Compiled by
Sheena Stebbing on behalf of the Working Committee Leonberger Club of GB .
Leonberger Club of Great Britain Water Tests.
The LCGB held their first
official water tests in May 1995 at Grange Water in Essex, 2 dogs passed
level “A”. These tests where adopted from the water regulations from both
“The Newfoundland Club of GB” & “The Northern Newfoundland Club” who kindly
gave permission for LCGB to use their tests as our basis. However these
weren’t the first water trails the club had organised. The first ever Water
Trails were held at Grange Water in Essex in 1993, the second trials also at
Grange Water were held on the 19th June 1994. There were three
levels put on for the second trials - Beginners, Novice & Intermediate
tests.
Today’s
tests have 5 levels A, B, C, D & E, Level “A” being the lowest progressing
up to the highest level “E”. Two judges judge independently and both judges
must pass all the exercises for the dog to pass. A dog may only attempt one
un-passed level per test, not withstanding level “A” when judges have the
option if they consider the dog ready they can invite the owner to attempt
level “B” after passing a dog at level “A”
A dog
that passes 4 tests at two or more different venues with at least 4 or more
different judges for levels B, C & D can earn a certificate of merit.
A
diploma is awarded to a dog that has passed 3 level “E” tests at two or more
different venues with 4 or more different judges. Dogs awarded this diploma
earn the title LCGB Water Work Champion.
The tests are
set to encourage handler’s to train and work their dogs in a fun manner,
using their dog’s natural instincts to swim and retrieve promoting team work
to reach the set standard. As the tests progress higher so the partnership
must work harder, the dog has so much freedom in water work that unless a
handler can control at distance the dog will act for its own gain and will
not progress far. Even passing the lower levels can be hard work for some
dogs and handlers.
An advantage with water work compared to other doggie
activates is it is non-competitive sport; handlers must work together to
help each other train their dogs up to the standard needed. The group who
helped train a dog all feels the achievement when it passes, this is
especially felt with handlers of dogs who work level “C” and above, when a
dog fails the whole group feels for the handler - the dog on the other hand
doesn’t know it didn’t reach the set standard and just had fun swimming!
Level A is set to encourage
handlers to enter and have a go, most dogs that can swim should be able to
pass this level without to much trouble – some take it and pass with out any
water training at all. Handlers have 30 metres of shore area to work in, a
distance of 15 metres out from shore to swim to handler and boat and are
within reach of most novice dogs. As the dogs Progress up the levels the
shore area decreases to 10 metres and the distance of control has expanded
from 15 metres to over 30 metres.
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A brief description of the
Tests.
Level A
“A”
level entrants must be at least 6 months old on the day of the test, level
“A” has 3 exercises entrants can ask judges for guidance throughout testing.
EXERCISE
1 Swim out 15 metres to handler or stranger
The dog will remain on shore with the owner
until instructed to begin. The handler or water steward will swim out at
least 15 metres from the shore, turn and face the shore and wait. On being
given the indication from the Judge they will attract the dog's attention by
calling and/or splashing in the water. Upon command from the owner, the dog
will swim directly to the handler/steward, and when within touching distance
of them, turn and swim back to the shore either towing or being followed by
them. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise is completed when the dog
is back on shore.
EXERCISE 2 Swim out 15 metres to boat
The dog will remain on shore with the owner
until instructed to begin. The handler will be in the front of a boat, with
the boat steward, at least 15 metres from the shore. The dog's attention can
be attracted by calling/splashing or tossing the towrope into the water.
Upon command from the owner, the dog will swim directly to the boat, and
either take the tow rope in his mouth and tow the boat to the shore
or, when within touching distance of the
handler in the boat, turn and swim
back to the shore being followed closely by the boat. The Judge shall
indicate that the exercise is completed when the dog is back on shore.
EXERCISE 3 Retrieve familiar object from
6metres
The dog will remain on shore with the owner
until instructed to begin. In full view of the dog, the owner or steward
will throw the article out at least 6 metres into the water test area. The
Judge will immediately give the indication to begin. The dog will be sent to
retrieve the object from the water and return it to the shore. The Judge
shall indicate that the exercise is completed when the dog and the object is
back on shore.
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Level B
This level has five
exercises. You will see the exercises have progressed quite quickly from
level A with the addition of a “controlled swim” and a “sunken retrieve”
handlers often have to work very hard at this level to get a pass. This
level helps the dog learn some good basic groundwork that will help them
throughout their training for the higher levels. Dogs must be at least 9
months old on the day of the test to enter this level.
EXERCISE 1 Tow handler or stranger from 20
metres
The dog will remain on shore with the owner
until instructed to begin. The handler or water steward will swim out at
least 20 metres from the shore, turn, face the shore and wait. On being
given the indication from the Judge the handler/steward will attract the
dog's attention by calling and/or splashing in the water. Upon command from
the owner, the dog will swim directly to the handler/steward, affect a safe
pick-up and tow and return with him back to the shore. The Judge shall
indicate that the exercise is completed when the handler/steward is in
shallow water near the shore.
EXERCISE 2 Tow boat
back 20 metres
The dog will remain on shore with the owner
until instructed to begin. The boat will be position at least 20 metres from
the shore, with the handler at the front of the boat. The dog's attention
can be attracted by calling/splashing or tossing the towrope into the water.
Upon command from the owner, the dog will swim directly to the boat, take
the towrope in his mouth and tow the boat to the shore. The Judge shall
indicate that the exercise is complete when the boat is within reach of the
owner and the boat occupants could step ashore safely in less than knee
depth water.
EXERCISE 3 Retrieve provided object from 6
metres
The dog will remain on shore with the owner until
instructed to begin. In full view of the dog, the owner or steward will
throw the article out at least 6 metres into the water test area. The Judge
will immediately give the indication to begin. The dog will be sent to
retrieve the object from the water and return it to the shore. The Judge
shall indicate that the exercise is completed when the dog and the object is
back on shore.
EXERCISE 4 Retrieve of object from 20
centimetres under water
In full view of the dog, the owner will drop
or throw the article in the water and allow it to sink, in accordance with
the Judge's instructions. When the object has sunk, the Judge will
immediately give the indication to begin. The dog will be commanded to find
the object and return it to the owner. The
Judge shall indicate that the exercise is
completed when the object has been given by the dog to the owner.
EXERCISE 5 Controlled swim
The dog, off lead, and owner (see Explanatory Note
2) will leave the shore together and swim out at least 25 metres straight
out from the shore; the dog will swim at the side of the owner close enough
to be controlled but not too close so as to interfere with the stroke of the
swimmer. On reaching the required distance an indication by one of the
Judges (by whistle, loud hailer, flag, etc.,), will deem the exercise
complete. The dog will swim independently throughout the exercise; it will
not tow the owner during the exercise.
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Level C
The exercise many handlers find difficult at
this level is exercise 4 the controlled swim, where as in level B the dog
and handler swam in a straight line at this level the handler has to execute
turns and swim a lot further. A dog must be at least 18 months old on the
day of the test to enter for Level C
EXERCISE 1 Tow stranger from 25 metres
The dog will remain on shore, under control,
at the side of the owner, until instructed to begin. The water steward (who
is a stranger to the dog, i.e. not from its normal training group) will swim
out at least 25 metres from the shore, turn, face the shore and wait. On
being given the indication from the Judge, they will attract the dog's
attention by calling and/or splashing in the water. Upon command from the
owner, the dog will swim directly to the steward, effect a safe tow and
return with him back to the shore. The Judge shall indicate that the
exercise is completed when the steward is in shallow water near the shore.
EXERCISE 2 Jump from boat and tow 30 metres
to shore
The dog and owner, in a controlled manner,
will enter the boat containing a steward, the boat steward and a Judge. The
boat will then be taken at least 30 metres from the shore. When given the
signal to begin, the dog shall enter the water, take the boat's towrope in
its mouth and tow the boat directly back to the shore. The instruction to
the dog can be supplemented by splashing or tossing the towrope into the
water. The Judge will determine when to release the boat after the dog has
jumped so that the test distance is achieved. The owner must remain in the
boat until the test is completed. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise
is complete when the boat is within reach of the handler and the boat
occupants could step ashore safely in less than knee depth water.
EXERCISE 3 Retrieve object from 15 metres
The dog will remain on shore, under control,
at the side of the owner, until instructed to begin. A boat will proceed on
a course parallel to the shore. In full view of the dog, the steward will
hold the article above their head and then on the Judge's signal drop it
into the water as they pass so that the dog will have to swim at least 15
metres to the article. The Judge will immediately give the indication to
begin, while the boat leaves the test area. The dog will be sent to retrieve
the object from the water and return it to the shore. The Judge shall
indicate that the exercise is completed when the dog and the owner with the
object are back on shore
EXERCISE 4 Controlled swim
During this exercise the dog and owner will
be required to swim together for at least 45 metres and not more than 50
metres, perform a minimum of two turns so that they are swimming parallel to
the shore for at least 15 metres. The route to be taken should be either: -
1. 'N' shaped with a swim out of at least
15 m, turn to swim at least 15 m parallel to the shore and then a further
turn and swim back the last at least 15 m to the shore; or
2. A triangle with a swim out of at least
15 m, turn to swim at least 15 m parallel to the shore and then a further
oblique turn and swim back the last at least 15 m to the entry point on the
shore; or
3. An inverted 'L' with a swim out of at
least 15 m, turn to swim at least 7.5 m parallel to the shore, then an about
turn over the same route to return to the shore at the entry point.
The choice of route will be decided by the
Judges depending on the environment and weather conditions on the day of the
test and will be the same for each dog; the Judges may vary distances
according to venue or conditions but without reducing the overall distance.
The dog, off lead, and owner (see
Explanatory Note 2) will leave the shore together and swim out following the
route previously detailed by the Judges. The dog will swim at the side of
the owner close enough to be verbally/visually controlled but not too close
so as to interfere with the stroke of the swimmer. The dog will swim
independently throughout the exercise; it will not tow the owner during the
exercise. Note: The points at which to make turns will be clearly indicated
audibly and/or visually by the Judges, e.g. whistle, loud hailer, flag,
etc.,
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Level D
This level also has 4
exercises however the shoreline is smaller and the distance the handler has
to control the dog has grown considerably! The judges really start looking
for total control. Dogs must be at least 24 months on the day of the test to
enter this level.
EXERCISE 1 Take coil of rope out to a boat
and tow it back to shore
The boat with a steward and the boat
steward, not known to the dog, and a Judge will be positioned at least 25
metres from the shore. The boat steward will be solely concerned with the
safety and position of the boat and will not be concerned with handling the
dog. The dog will remain on shore, under control, at the side of the owner,
until instructed to begin. When instructed, the owner will command the dog
to swim out directly to the boat with the coil of rope in its mouth, with
the steward calling out for the dog to come to the boat. On reaching the
boat the steward will attempt to take the coil of rope without endangering
himself or the dog. Once he is holding the coil of rope, the steward will
give the 'release' command, as notified to him by the owner before
commencing the exercise, and will continue to do so until the dog
voluntarily releases the coil of rope. The steward will not forcibly remove
the coil of rope or continue to hold the coil of rope if it becomes unsafe
to do so. The handler must not show the second rope to the dog until the
coil of rope is inside the boat.
The steward will then go to the front of the boat
and offer a similar rope to the dog. The dog will then take this rope in its
mouth and use it to tow the boat back to the shore. The Judge shall indicate
that the exercise is complete when the boat is within reach of the owner and
the boat occupants could step ashore safely in less than knee depth water.
EXERCISE 2 Tow stranger to a boat
The dog will enter the boat and be taken
about 25 metres from the shore with the owner, a water steward (who is a
stranger to the dog), a steward, the boat steward and a Judge. The owner
will ensure that the dog is under control while in the boat and does not
impede the stewards. When given the signal to begin the water steward will
fall noisily overboard and position himself at least 5 metres
from the boat, where he will be vertical in
the water, facing the boat, calm and silent. The water steward should be on
the side of the boat furthest from the test area shore, but this may depend
on prevailing weather conditions. When the water steward is in position and
when instructed by the Judge, the owner will command the dog and the boat
steward will continue to hold the boat in position and NOT allow the boat to
drift. The dog will enter the water, swim to the water steward and effect a
safe tow. The Judge will determine when to release the boat after the dog
has jumped so that the test distance is achieved. The dog will tow him to a
position close enough to the boat so the owner and steward can pull the
water steward aboard. The owner does not have to physically get the water
steward aboard but should be involved and should not be solely dealing with
the dog during this time. Once the water steward is safely aboard the Judge
will tell the owner to bring their dog aboard. Meanwhile, the dog will have
been required to wait in the water until instructed to approach the boat
again, when it will be carefully pulled aboard in a safe manner. The owner
must remain in the boat until the test is completed. The Judge shall
indicate that the exercise is complete when the dog is back in the boat.
EXERCISE 3 Directed retrieve of one of two
objects
The dog will remain on shore, under control at the
side of the owner, until instructed to begin. The Judge will inform the
owner which article the dog has to retrieve. A boat will proceed on a course
parallel to the shore. In full view of the dog, the steward will hold the
articles above their head and then on the Judge's signals quietly place the
articles in the water as it passes so that they are between 6 and 7 metres
apart and the dog will have to swim at least 15 metres to them. The articles
and their positions will be the same for all dogs in that test. Once the
second article is in the water the Judge will give the indication to begin,
while the boat leaves the test area. The dog, from its position midway
between the two articles, will be sent to retrieve the selected article from
the water and return it to the owner on the shore. In this particular
exercise the owner must stay on land at the midway point, directing the dog
only by verbal/visual commands and not move until the dog commences the
exercise. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise is completed when the
dog and the owner with the object are back on shore. The boat will then
retrieve the other article.
EXERCISE 4 Search for hidden stranger and
tow to shore
Out of the view of the dog, the boat will be
positioned at a buoy at least 25 metres from the shore with a water steward
(who is a stranger to the dog) in the water holding the boat in such a
position that he cannot be seen by the dog on the shore. The boat steward,
who will eventually handle the boat, must make himself as inconspicuous as
possible so as not to attract the dog's attention in any way. The dog will
remain on shore under control, at the side of the owner, until instructed to
begin. When instructed the water steward will begin to shout and splash in
the water and the owner will command the dog to swim out to the boat. On
reaching the boat it will swim around the boat to find the water steward and
effect a safe tow. Avoiding the boat, it will then return with him back to
the shore. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise is completed when the
steward is in shallow water near the shore.
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Level E
Judges at this level
expect a dog to work in unison with it’s handlers there is no room for
error! Many spectators thoroughly enjoy watching the dogs work at this level
as it looks spectacular from the shore.
EXERCISE 1 Take out life buoy/jacket to
stranger
The dog will remain on shore under control,
at the side of the owner until instructed to begin. The water steward (who
is a stranger to the dog) will enter the water from a boat at least 30
metres from the shore so that he is facing the shore. When instructed, the
owner will command the dog to swim out to the water steward with the life
buoy or life jacket. The dog will swim directly to him holding the article
with its mouth. On reaching the steward it will swim close enough for him to
take and keep hold. The dog will then use the article to bring him back to
the shore. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise is complete when the
steward is in shallow water near the shore.
EXERCISE 2 Directed tow of one of two
persons
The exercise will be set up out of sight of the
dog. When called forward the dog will remain on shore under control, at the
side of the owner until instructed to begin. Two water stewards (who are
strangers to the dog) will have entered the water from a boat so that they
are both at least 30 metres out, about 10 metres apart and both vertical in
the water, facing the shore. The Judge will inform the owner which steward
the dog has to tow. Depending on the random selection, both stewards will be
either noisy and splash in the water or both will remain calm and quiet.
When instructed the owner will command the dog from its position mid way
between the two water stewards to swim out to the randomly selected steward.
In this particular exercise the owner must stay on land at the midway point,
directing the dog only by verbal/visual commands and not move until the dog
commences the exercise. The dog will swim directly to the selected steward,
effect a safe pick-up and return with him back to the shore. The Judge shall
indicate that the exercise is complete when the steward is in shallow water
near the shore. The other water steward will then return to the shore.
EXERCISE 3 Jump and take a rope to a
stranger in another boat and be pulled in
The dog will enter the boat and be taken
about 25 metres from the shore with the owner, the boat steward and a Judge;
another boat with a steward and its boat steward, neither of which are known
to the dog, and the other Judge will be the same distance from the shore but
at least 15 metres away. To ensure the boats remain in their set positions
of at least 15 metres apart they will be anchored, where possible. When
given the signal to begin, the owner will command the dog, with the steward
in the other boat calling out for the dog to come to the boat.. The dog will
enter the water, be handed or take one end of the rope in its mouth and swim
directly to the other boat; the other end will be tied off on the first
boat. As the dog gets sufficiently near to the other boat the steward will
actively attempt to get hold of the rope but without endangering himself or
the dog. When the steward has the end of the rope, he will secure it to the
boat. While he is doing this the dog will be required to swim calmly in the
water until instructed to approach the boat again, when it will be carefully
pulled aboard in a safe manner. The Judge shall indicate that the exercise
is complete when the boats are connected by the rope and the dog is in the
second boat.
EXERCISE 4 Search for hidden rope and tow
boat to shore.
Out of sight of the dog, the boat will be
positioned at least 30 metres from the shore with a steward holding the boat
in position so that he cannot be seen by the dog on the shore. The dog will
remain on shore under control, at the side of the owner, until instructed to
begin. When instructed the owner will command the dog to swim out to the
boat. On reaching the boat, the dog will swim around the boat to find the
rope that will be hanging loosely with the end in the water. The dog will
take up the rope and use it to tow the boat back to the shore. The Judge
shall indicate that the exercise is completed when the boat is within reach
of the owner.
Copies of the Water &
Carting regulations can be obtained by the contacting the secretary Nadine
Arnold £3.50 each. Nadine Arnold 0778523154
N.D.Arnold@sheffield.ac.uk
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I hope my mum
takes me water training soon!
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Leonberger Club
of GB Working Committee
Chairperson:
Sheena Stebbing 01502 575752
sheena@waggytails.biz
Secretary:
Nadine Arnold
0778523154
N.D.Arnold@sheffield.ac.uk
Treasurer:
Midge Clayton 01775
680065
clayville2@aol.com
Committee members
Gordon Ashfield
afield98@hotmail.com
Karen Thompson – details
to follow.
Alison Cooper 01332
862251
alison@ridingbank.co.uk
John Tyler
(e-mail contact only please)
john@stukeley.co.uk
Barton Water
Bears:
Water training and
carting. Contact Alison 01332 862251
alison@ridingbank.co.uk
Training Days: 7th
& 21st Aug, 4th & 25th
Sept.
First Dog £4.00 other dogs £1.00
Waveney
Water Lions:
Water Training.
Contact Sheena Stebbing 01502 575752
sheena@waggytails.biz
Training every Thursday
from 28th April to 27th October
All dogs £3.50
Rother Valley:
New group.
Contact Nadine Arnold for more details on 0778523154
N.D.Arnold@sheffield.ac.uk
General
information
The Working
Committee has a booklet full of useful information for any persons
thinking of starting their own Leonberger Water Training Group. Please
contact Sheena Stebbing for a copy.
Copies
of the Water & Carting regulations £3.50 each, can be obtained by the
contacting the secretary of the working committee - Nadine Arnold
0778523154
N.D.Arnold@sheffield.ac.uk
If you
wish to train your Leonberger and have no Leonberger Group training in
your area you may find it useful to join a Newfoundland Water Training
group.
If you have the water to train and
would like to start your own Leonberger Training Group the working
committee will help you in any way possible.
If you
are training for tests and are having difficulties with an exercise
please contact the working committee, we are here to help.
If you
train with a Newfoundland group and wish to put on certified Leonberger
tests a Test Managers Pack is available from the working committee
secretary.
If you
have any ideas that you think the water or carting review should
consider please contact the secretary of the working committee.
If you
would like to be present when the working committee discusses the Water
or Carting reviews please make it known to the secretary of the working
committee.
If you
would like to be co-opted on to the working committee please put your
application in writing to the secretary of the working committee.
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Who shall we rescue first?
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OK - in you go!
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Off to the rescue...........
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You have to hold this if I'm going to rescue
you.......
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I'm towing as hard as I can!!
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Some people just lay on their backs
all day while I work hard.
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Back on shore safe and sound.
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This is the best bit - people beware!!
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