Medallion

Following completion of the beginners course, handlers and their dogs who achieve over 70 out of 80 on test night can progress to the Medallion course, involving more advanced training.

The course lasts 14 weeks and culminates with a test night, testing both individually and as a group.

  • Heel work on lead – with the dog on the left, further obedience work at a higher standard than beginners - including sit, right, left and about turns.
  • Heel Free – again with the dog on the left, handler and dog progress to a longer course with the dog staying at the handlers side (no lead) and following only verbal instructions.
  • Recall – With the dog in the sit position, handler walks away a given distance, turns and calls the dog which comes straight in and sits in front of the handler, then comes round to heel.
  • Drop on Recall – Again the dog is left in the sit position, handler walks away a longer given distance and calls the dog, as the dog is running in, about half way in, the handler signals the dog to stop and go into the down position, reinforcing this with words, the dog should immediately stop where it is and drop down into the Down position, the exercise is finished with the dog coming in, sitting and then heeling round.
  • Sit Stay – A group exercise, dogs are left in the sit position, handlers walk away and stand opposite to their dog (facing away) for 2 minutes, the dogs should remain in the same position, without moving until the handlers return to their side.
  • Down Stay – Again a group exercise, dogs are left in the down position, the handler walks to the opposite side of the room and then all handlers (but not the trainers) leave the room for 5 minutes. The dogs should remain in the down position, without moving until the handlers return to their dogs.
  • Distance Control – The dog is left in the sit position, handler walks away a given distance and must signal to the dog with arm signals and commands, various positions as stated by the trainer – Down, Sit and Stand in varying orders.

Rossetts and cups are presented to the handlers and dogs achieving the highest marks in the medallion test.

Successful handlers and their dogs may then be eligible to be invited to Advanced Training


Handler and Dog