Continental Kennel Club

Novice Retriever

I. Conditions

The General Rules for Competition apply to all novice exercises. Please refer to a separate publication for more details.
All dog’s must compete on a flat collar.
In all novice retrieving tests, the cover will be no more that a mowed field.
Shallow ponds or a large plastic wading pool may be used for the water retrieves.
All novice retrieves will be no more than 30 yards.
An assistant will be used to throw the dummies and will be seated behind the a blind.
All angles and distances are based on the starting line or the position of the dog.

II. Novice Level 1

As a prerequisite, all dog’s must first pass the CKC Canine Companion Certification Program (CCCP) prior to competing in this event.
Dog’s may compete on a lead of no more than ten feet in length.
Before the dummies are thrown, a noise similar to the clap of hands will be made to simulate a gun shot.
As the dummies are thrown, the handler may restrain his dog.
Verbal encouragement is allowed at this level.
The dog must show a desire to retrieve.

Exercise 1—Land Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 20 yards from the dog.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
The dog must return to the general vicinity of the handler.
The handler may gently assist the dog into a close proximity to the handler.

Exercise 2—Land Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 20 yards from the dog.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
The dog must return to the general vicinity of the handler.
The handler may gently assist the dog into a close proximity to the handler.

Exercise 3—Land Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 20 yards from the dog.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
The dog must return to the general vicinity of the handler.
The handler may gently assist the dog into a close proximity to the handler.

III. Novice Level 2

As a prerequisite, all dog’s must first pass the CKC Novice Retrieving Level 1 prior to competing in this event.
Dog’s may compete on a lead of no more than six feet in length.
Before the dummies are thrown, a noise simulating a gunshot will be made using two wooden blocks (2” x 4” x 12”).
As the dummies are thrown, the handler may use mild restraint to prevent the dog from leaving.
Verbal encouragement is allowed at this level.
The dog must show a desire to retrieve.

Exercise 1—Land Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 20 yards from the dog, and on land.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
The dog must return to the general vicinity of the handler.
The dog may retrieve to the hand or foot.
The handler may gently assist the dog into a close proximity to the handler.

Exercise 2—Land Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 20 yards from the dog, and on land.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
The dog must return to the general vicinity of the handler.
The dog may retrieve to the hand or foot.
The handler may gently assist the dog into a close proximity to the handler.

Exercise 3—Water Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 20 yards from the dog, and in water (a pond or wadding pool).
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
The dog must return to the general vicinity of the handler.
The dog may retrieve to the hand or foot.
The handler may gently assist the dog into a close proximity to the handler.

Exercise 4—Water Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 20 yards from the dog, and in water (a pond or wadding pool).
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
The dog must return to the general vicinity of the handler
The dog may retrieve to the hand or foot.
The handler may gently assist the dog into a close proximity to the handler.

IV. Novice Level 3

As a prerequisite, all dog’s must first pass the CKC Novice Retrieving Level 2, Novice Obedience Level 1, Novice Agility Level 1, and Novice Tracking Level 1 prior to competing in this event.
Dog’s may compete on a crop or a lead of no more than one foot in length.
Before the dummies are thrown, shot will be fired from a 6mm starter pistol.
As the dummies are thrown, the handler may use very mild restraint to prevent his dog from leaving.
Mild verbal encouragement is allowed at this level.
The dog must show a desire to retrieve.

Exercise 1—Land Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 30 yards from the dog.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
Upon returning to the handler, the dog must present the bird or dummy in either the service position or a finish position.
The dog must release the bird or dummy without resistance.
The handler will give the bird to the Judge.
On signal from the judge, the exercise will be completed.

Exercise 2—Land Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 30 yards from the dog and at a 90° angle to the last dummy.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
Upon returning to the handler, the dog must present the bird or dummy in either the service position or a finish position.
The dog must release the bird or dummy without resistance.
The handler will give the bird to the Judge.
On signal from the judge, the exercise will be completed.

Exercise 3—Water Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 30 yards from the dog, into water
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the dummy, pick it up and return to the handler
Upon returning to the handler, the dog must present the bird or dummy in either the service position or a finish position.
The dog must release the bird or dummy without resistance.
The handler will give the bird to the Judge.
On signal from the judge, the exercise will be completed.

Exercise 4—Water Single

Once the judge signals ready, the assistant will simulate a gun shot.
Immediately after the shot, the assistant will throw one dummy to a designated spot that is approximately 30 yards from the dog, into water at a 90° angle to the last dummy.
On signal from the judge, the handler will send the dog.
The dog must, without hesitation, leave the handler, go straight to the first dummy, pick it up and return to the handler.
Upon returning to the handler, the dog must present the bird or dummy in either the service position or a finish position.
The dog must release the bird or dummy without resistance.
The handler will give the bird to the Judge.
On signal from the judge, the exercise will be completed.

For information on competing or hosting events contact

CKC Events Department at 1-888-CKC– 8042 or visit us at WWW.CKCUSA.COM

Continental Kennel Club, Inc. reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.

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