Companion dog or “CD” has nothing to do with qualifying a dog to help people as a service dog or therapy dog; it is a combination of control, agility, and nose work and is the basis of Classic Working Trials (which later includes tracking).

At Club Level there are 3 Companion dog levels, starting with Beginner Companion Dog. When a dog qualifies out of Beginner CD, it enters the Companion Dog class and has the option of entering Super Companion Dog when the dog qualifies 3 times. Agility equipment heights are adjusted to suite small, medium, and large dogs.

Minimum criteria:

Dogs must be at least 14 months old to participate in the CD classes and must actively participate in a Novice or Rally Fun class or higher.

Exercises

Beginner CD

Companion Dog

Super Companion Dog

Control (Obedience)

Heel on lead (loose leash) – incl. turns, pace changes and walk around obstacles and people  Recall – 20m with sit and finish  Retrieve – dumbbell with presentation and finish  Send away 15m to an object and a closed food container; no recall   Down stay – 5 minutes insight facing the dog.

Heel on lead and heel free – incl. turns, pace changes and walk around obstacles and people  Recall – 20m with sit and finish  Retrieve – dumbbell with presentation and finish  Send away 20m to an object. The dog remains in any position and is recalled when instructed and finish  Down stay – 10 minutes out of sight.

Heel-free – incl. turns, pace changes and walk around obstacles and people   Recall – 20m with sit and finish  Retrieve – dumbbell with presentation and finish  Send away 50m to an object. The dog remains in any position and is redirected either left or right to another object.  Down stay – 10 minutes out of sight.

Nose work

Area search (15mx15m area) Handler’s article (not brightly coloured; +/-7cm x 7cm x 1cm) 2 minutes to find the article.

Area search (15mx15m area) Judge’s article which handler will scent  2 minutes to find the article.

Area search (25mx25m area) Judge’s articles; foreign scent.  5 minutes to find the articles.

Agility

Clear jump A-frame Long jump  A closed food container may be placed on the landing side of the obstacles.

Clear jump A-frame Long jump.

Clear jump A-frame Long jump.

Next level

Dogs that have passed three times in this grade must move up to Companion Dog grade. Pass mark 80%.

Dogs that have passed three times in this grade may move up to Super Companion Dog if the handler wishes. Pass mark 90%.

Pass mark 90%.