Excercises for waterrescue dogs
Purpose
To conclude information about the dogs real life rescue ability. To include dogs with qualification to volunteer rescuework and baywatch.
methodics
Testing the dogs in three modules
1. Dogs instinct
2. Rescuework without handler
3. Teamwork
excercises presented in modules are linear and points are given compared to the difficulty of the excercise.
Excercises of the same module are performed during the same day.
The dog and the handler must wear proper gear while performing.
Evaluation
The dog is used as an assistant for the handler with helping bringing the person back to the shore and taking waterrescue devices to the drowning person. Dogs given the certificate of for middle and high level are giveb the certificate by MTÜ allowed to perform given evaluations.
High level (100-75%)
Dog with rescue abilities, suitable for rescuework.
Middle level (74-50%)
Dog able to pwrerform some rescuework
basic level (49-25%)
Dog with potential to become a rescuedog with training.
1. Module - Instinct 100 points
Purpose
To understand dogs relationship with water, obedience, cooperation and instinct.
Excercises
1.1 Entering the water from shore 15 points
1.1.1 Bringing object from water
a. Dog and handler are on the shore. Handler orders dog to bring an object thrown by helper out of the water. 5 points
a.1 6m swimming 3 points or
a2 20 m swimming 5points
b. Dog and handler positioned on shore. Dog must retrieve an object held by a helper in water. Helper is allowed to move the object to attract dogs attention. 10 points
b.1 6 meters swimming 5 points
b2. 20 meters swimming 10 points
1.2 Entering water in different situations
1.2.1 Dog is 30 meters from shore, situated in a boat with a helper. Handler stays on shore who called the dog. The dog must swim to the shore. 5 points
1.2.2 Dog and handler situated in a boat. An object is thrown to the water that the dog must retrieve back to the boat. Dog is pulled into the boat. 8 points
1.2.3 Dog is situated on boat bridge and must retrieve an object thrown to water. For every 25 cm of hight of the boat bridge additional 2 points are given.7 points
1.3 Waterrescue instinct and obedience 15 points
1.3.1 Person in distress is in the water, 20 meters from shore, calling for help. Dog and handler are on the shore, the dog without a leash. Handler waits and sees what the dog decides to do. When the dog wants to run to the person in distress, the handler orders the dog to stay put. When the dog shows no desire to got to the water, the exercise can not be completed.
1.4 Team swimming 50 points
Explanation- Dog and handler go to the water together (dog must not be pulled) and start swimming side by side.
1.4.1 Straight line from shore (at least 30 meters) and back 15 points
a. Handler is holding the dog by leash 10 points
b. Handler is not holding the dog by leash 15 points
1.4.1 Team swimming with change of direction. Two turns to the right, two to the left and one 180 degree turn. Swimming after every turn must be at least 15 meters
a. Handler is holding the dog by leash 15 points
b. Handler is not holding the dog by leash 25 points
1.4.3 Dog and handler swim 20 meters from shore. Handler throws an object in three different directions. After every throw a command is given to the dog to retrieve the object.
10 points
2, MODULE
Retrieving a person in distress- dog alone
Purpose- Dog must retrieve a person in distress (responsive) min 25 meters from shore.
Exercises
2.1 Dog and handler situated on shore. An order is given to the dog to swim to the helper who is yelling in the water. The dog must swim to the helper and bring him/her back. 20 points
a. The helper is the dogs handler or familiar to the dog 10 points
b. The helper is a stranger 20 points
2.2 Dog and handler situated on the shore. Given the order, dog swims to helper in the water (barely responsive). The helper grabs the dogs vest and the dog brings him back to the shore. 30 points
a. The helper is the dogs handler or familiar to the dog 20 points
b. The helper is a stranger 30 points
2.3 Dog and handler situated on shore. Given the order, dog swims to helper holding a dummy in the water, grabs the dummy and brings the person holding the dummy back to the shore. 30 points
a. The helper is the dogs handler or familiar to the dog 20 points
b. The helper is a stranger 30 points
2.4 Dog and handler situated in a boat. Given the order the dog jumps out from the boat, swims to the helper in water and brings him tothe boat.Both are dragged into the boat by the handler. 30 points
2.5 Dog and handler situated on shore. Three helpers are in water, one active, two passive. Given the order, the dog must swim and bring backthe active helper. 30 points
2.6 Dog and handler stated on shore. Dog must bring and object to the helper in water, who grabs it. The dog must retrieve the person holding the object to the shore by pulling the object. 30 points
3. MODULE- Teamrescue 350 points
Purpose- Evaluating teamrescue.
Exercises
3.1 Retrieving one person from water 140 points
Explanation- Helper is in the water, min 25 m from the shore. Dog and helper start from shore and swim to the helper. Handler takes the helper and the dog helps to pull them both back to the destination.
Variations-
3.1.1 Shore-water-shore 30 points
3.1.2 Boat- water- boat 35 points
3.1.3 Shore- water- boat 40 points
3.1.4 Boat- water- shore 35 points
3.2 Retrieving to persons from water 180 points
Explanation- Two helpers arein the water, min 25 meters from shore. Dog and handler start from shore.
Variations-
3.2.1 Dog and handler start from shore and go to one of the helpers together. The handler makes sure the helper grabs the dogs vest and then swims to the other helper. The dog with follows him. The handler grabs the second helper and both are helped to pull to the shore by the dog. 50 points
3.2.2 Dog and handler start from shore and swim to one helper in water. The handler makes sure the helper grabs the dogs vest and the handler sends them to the shore. The handler then proceeds to take the second helper and brings him to the shore. 70 points
3.2.3 Dog and handler start from shore. Two helpers are in the water. In the water, the handler gives the dog an order to go to one of the helpers and himself goes to the second one. After the first helper grabs the dogs vest, the dog swims to the handler who is assisting the second helper. The dog then helps pull them all to the shore. 60 points
3.1.1Bringing the rope to the helper
Explanation.
Helper is at least 25 meters from the shore.
Handler and dog are positioned on shore. Handler gives the dog a rope and gives a command to bring it to the helper. The dog must swim to the helper with the rope and then around the helper so that he can grab the rope. The helper is brought to the shore by pulling the rope.
30 points