6. Canine Boatwork Tests

Print: Boatwork.pdf

2009 Rules & Regs.pdf

A.    Single Novice Retrieve

Task Summary:  

The dog shall retrieve an article from 60 ft. and return it to the boat.

Time limit:

3 minutes.  Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog and shall end when the dog is in the box with the article. 

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

Any floating article. 

Site Equipment:  

Two markers, placed at or about 60 ft apart and 60 ft. out from and parallel to the shoreline.

Classification of Standards:   None

Prescripts: 

The handler may gently restrain the dog by the harness or the life jacket until the dog is released for the retrieve.  The handler shall not guide or push the dog forward off the boat. The boat steward shall row the team out to one of the 60 ft. markers and may anchor the boat.  The handler may elect to have a steward toss for the team or the handler may toss the article at or beyond the opposite 60 ft marker. A steward may toss from anywhere within or outside the test area.  The article shall be a minimum of 60 ft out from the boat when the dog is sent. If the judge is not satisfied with the article’s landing the judge may excuse the team while the article is recovered by a steward and made ready for another toss.  The dog shall not leave the water before the article has been delivered to the handler.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall board the boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall remove all hand contact with the dog and cue the dog to retrieve.
   

4. •The dog shall immediately enter the water, go directly to the article, grasp the article by mouth, immediately return to the stern of the boat with the article.
   

5. •The judge signal the end of the task
   

B.    Multiple Retrieve from the Water

Task Summary:  

The stewart shall place tree articles in the water a minimum of 60 ft from the boat for group 1 and a minimum of 35 ft for group two. The dog shall leave a boat and complete three 60 ft  retrieves and deliver each to the handler.

Time limit:

5 minutes.  Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog shall end when the dog has completed the retrieves.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

Three significantly different (size, weight, shape) floating toys, water articles or other objects.

Site Equipment:  

Two markers set at about 60 ft. apart and 60 ft. from and parallel to the shoreline.   Two Row boats

Classification of Standards:  

Group 1 shall retrieve articles between 60 ft. & 100 ft. from the stern of the handler’s boat.  Group 2 shall retrieve articles between  35 ft. &  60 ft.  from the stern of the handler’s boat.

Prescripts: 

The handler’s boat steward shall keep the boat at a position about 60 ft from the shoreline and 60 ft from the opposite site marker.  The article steward shall row  out to the 60 ft marker opposite the handler’s boat, scatter the retrieve articles a minimum of 10 ft. apart in a water zone of  between 60 ft. and 100 ft. from the handler’s boat for Group 1 or between 35 ft.  and 60 ft. from the handler’s boat for Group 2. The article steward shall leave the retrieve area. If natural conditions move the articles a significant distance out of a specific water zone the judge may have a steward quickly move (not throw) the article(s) back into the proper retrieve zone while taking care not to interfere with the dog’s work. There shall be no designated retrieve order for the three articles, but dog may only retrieve one article at a time. If an article becomes entangled on the dog, the judge may direct a steward to retrieve the article and place it back in the water zone. The dog shall not leave the water before all the articles have been hand delivered to the handler.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall board the boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge the articles shall be scattered.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall send the dog for the first article.
   

5. •The dog shall immediately enter the water, grasp one article by mouth, return to the boat’s stern, and release the article into the handler’s hand.
   

6. •The handler shall then send the dog for another article.
   

7. •The dog shall immediately swim to the next article, grasp one article by mouth,  immediately return to the boat’s stern and release the article into the handler’s hand.
   

8. •The handler shall then send the dog for the third and final article.
   

9. •The dog shall immediately swim to the article, grasp the article by mouth, return to the boat’s stern and place the article in the handler’s hand.
   

10. •The judge signal the end of the task.
    

C.    Directed Retrieve

Task Summary:  

The dog shall leave the boat and retrieve a designated article among three and deliver it to the handler.

Time limit:

90 seconds.  Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog into the water and shall end when the judge has observed the dog’s delivery.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

Three floating articles, the same in all aspects (size, shape, color, weight, throw lines)

Site Equipment:  

Two markers set at about 60 ft. from the shoreline and about  60 ft apart.   Two Row Boats

Classification of Standards:   None 

Prescripts: 

The judge shall tell the handler which article the dog is to retrieve: “left”, “center” or “right”  of the handler’s boat.   The handler’s boat steward shall keep the boat at a position about 60 ft from the shoreline and 60 ft from the opposite site marker.  The article steward shall row  out to the 60 ft marker opposite the handler’s boat, toss, drop or place the three retrieve articles in a row, perpendicular with the shoreline, with each article about 30 ft. apart  and 60 ft. away from and parallel to the stern of the handler’s boat. The article steward shall leave the retrieve area. If natural conditions move the articles a significant distance  the judge may have a steward quickly move the article(s) back into the proper retrieve zone while taking care not to interfere with the dog’s work.  The dog may not grab or mouth a non-designated article. The dog shall not leave the water before the article has been hand delivered to the handler.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall board the boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge the steward shall toss, drop or place the articles in a row perpendicular to the shoreline and 60 ft from the handler’s boat.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall send the dog for the designated article. 
   

5. •The dog shall immediately enter the water, go directly to the designated article, grasp the article by mouth, immediately return to the boat’s stern and release the article in the handler’s hand.
   

6. •The judge shall signal the end of the task.
   

D.    Retrieve from Person on Shore

Task Summary:  

The dog shall leave the boat, go to the starter’s box, take a long line from the steward, and deliver the line to  the handler.

Time limit:

2 minutes. Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog and shall end when the judge has observed the delivery.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

100 ft Long Line.

Site Equipment:  

Two markers set  at about 60 ft.  from and parallel to the shoreline. One Row boat

Classification of Standards:   None. 

Prescripts:

The handler’s boat steward shall keep the boat at a position about 60 ft from the shoreline.   The long line shall be in the starter’s box and the steward shall feed the line out as the dog moves toward the boat.  If the line becomes entangled on the dog, the judge may direct a steward to assist the dog. With the handler’s approval, the steward may communicate with the dog when the dog reaches the shoreline and is no longer swimming.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall board the boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge the steward shall enter and remain in the starter’s box.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall send the dog to the starter’s box to retrieve.
   

5. •The dog shall immediately enter the water, swim to the starter’s box, enter the box, grasp the end of the line by mouth from the steward, take it directly to the stern of the handler’s boat  and release the line into the handler’s hand. 
   

6. •The judge shall signal the end of the task.
   

E.    Deliver to Person on  Shore

Task Summary:  

The dog shall leave the boat,  take a long line from the handler  to a steward on shore.

Time limit:

2 minutes. Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog and shall end when the judge has observed the delivery.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

100 ft Long Line.

Site Equipment:  

Two markers set at about  60 ft.  from and parallel to the shoreline. One Row boat

Classification of Standards:   None. 

Prescripts:

The handler’s boat steward shall  keep the boat at a position about 60 ft from the shoreline. The long line shall be in the boat and the handler shall feed the line out as the dog moves toward shore.  If the line becomes entangled on the dog, the judge may direct a steward to assist the dog.  With the handler’s approval, the steward may communicate with the dog when the dog reaches the shoreline and is no longer swimming.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall board the boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge the steward shall enter and remain in the starter’s box.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall send the dog off the boat, hand the dog the long line and direct the dog to the starter’s box.
   

5. •The dog shall immediately enter the water, grasp the end of the line by mouth, go directly to the starter’s box, enter the box  and release the line into the steward’s hand. 
   

6. •The judge shall signal the end of the task.
   

F.    Directed Delivery between Boats

Task Summary:  

The dog shall leave the boat, take a long line from the handler,  and deliver it to a designated boater from among two boaters 60 ft. away. 

Time limit:

2 minutes. Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog and shall end when the judge has observed the delivery.

Time Requirements: 

None

Team Equipment:  

100 ft. Long line.

Site Equipment:  

A pair of distance markers set at  60 ft. apart and 60 ft. from and parallel to the shoreline.

Three Boats.

Classification of Standards:  

none.

Prescripts: 

The judge shall identify, the “shoreward”  or  the “waterward”, boat as the designated target for the dog.  The handler’s boat steward shall  keep the boat at a position about 60 ft from the shoreline and 60 ft from the other boats.  Two boaters shall position themselves 30 ft apart inside an area between 60 ft. and 100 ft from the shoreline and a minimum of  60 ft. from the handler’s boat.  The steward may sit or kneel on the stern platform to receive the line.  Delivery to a non designated boat shall be declared if the dog swims within three feet of a non designated boat.   The dog shall not leave the water before the delivery.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal of the judge the team shall board a row boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal of the judge the two boaters shall set up for the task.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall send the dog off the boat, hand the dog the tow line and direct the dog to the designated boat.
   

5. •The dog shall immediately leave the boat, grasp the line by mouth,  tow the line to the designated boat’s stern, release the line to the boater’s hand.
   

6. •The judge shall signal the end of the task.
   

G.    Directed Retrieve between Boats

Task Summary:  

The dog shall leave the boat, and swim to a designated boater from among two boaters 60 ft. away.   The dog shall take the end of a long line from the designated boater and deliver it to the handler .

Time limit:

2 minutes. Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog and shall end when the judge has observed the delivery.

Time Requirements: 

None

Team Equipment:  

100 ft. Long line.

Site Equipment:  

A pair of distance markers set at  60 ft. apart and 60 ft. from and parallel to the shoreline.

Three Row Boats.

Classification of Standards:  

none.

Prescripts: 

The judge shall identify, the “shoreward”  or  the “waterward”, boat as the designated target for the dog.  The handler’s boat steward shall  keep the boat at a position about 60 ft from the shoreline and 60 ft from the other boats.  Two boaters shall position themselves 30 ft apart inside an area between 60 ft. and 100 ft, on a perpendicular line with the shoreline, and a minimum of  60 ft. from the handler’s boat.  The steward may sit or kneel on the stern platform to transfer the line.  The line may  be dropped or handed to the dog  when the dog is within three feet of the boat and the steward may speak to the dog at this point if so advised by the handler.  An attempt to retrieve from a non designated boat shall be declared if the dog swims within three feet of a non designated boat.   The dog shall not leave the water before the delivery in completed.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal of the judge the team shall board a row boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal of the judge the two boaters shall set up for the task.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall send the dog off the boat and direct the dog to the designated boat.
   

5. •The dog shall immediately leave the boat, swim to the designated boater, grasp the line by mouth,  tow  the line to the stern of the handler’s boat and release the line to the handler’s hand.
   

6. •The judge shall signal the end of the task.
   

H.  Deliver to and Tow  Swimmer

Task Summary:  

The dog shall leave the boat, take a life ring from the handler, deliver the line to a swimmer 60 ft. from the handler’s  boat and tow the swimmer to the boat.

Time limit:

3 minutes. Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog and shall end when the  swimmer grasps the boat.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

Life Ring and tow line.

Site Equipment:  

Pair of markers set  60 ft. apart  and 60 ft.  from  and parallel to the shoreline. One Row boat.

Classification of Standards:   None

Prescripts: 

The handler’s boat steward shall  keep the boat at a position about 60 ft from the shoreline.  A swimmer shall swim out to a position about 60 ft. from the shoreline and 60 ft. from the handler’s boat.  The swimmer shall grasp the life ring when it is within arms reach. The judge shall immediately stop the task if the dog climbs on the swimmer. The dog may not leave the water before the completion of the tow.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal of the judge the team shall board a row boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal of the judge the steward shall enter the water and set up for the task.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall send the dog off the boat, hand the dog the tow line with the life ring and direct the dog to the swimmer.
   

5. •The dog shall immediately leave the boat, grasp the line for the life ring by mouth,  tow the article directly to the swimmer,  remain with the swimmer until the swimmer grasps the life ring, and  tow the swimmer to the boat.
   

6. •The swimmer shall grasp the boat when it is within arms reach.
   

7. •The judge shall signal the end of the task.
   

I.    Dive Retrieve from a Boat

Task Summary:  

The dog shall immediately dive off the boat, submerge its entire body, retrieve the article and bring it to the surface.

Time limit:

60 seconds.  Timing shall begin when the handler sends the dog and shall end when the dog completes the retrieve.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

Any dive or underwater article.  The handler may have two dive articles on the boat.

Site Equipment:  

A row boat with a stern platform.

Classification of Standards:  None

Prescripts: 

The handler shall advise the judge who will make the toss of the article, a steward or the handler. If the steward is to make the toss the handler may consult with the steward and show the steward the placement technique desired by the handler for the dog.  The handler’s hands shall not be placed underwater for the purpose of guiding, luring or directing the dog.  If the dog is having difficulty locating the article due to test conditions the judge may grant permission for  a  second article to be tossed. The dog may make as many dive attempts as needed to complete the task within the time limit. The dog shall dive directly underwater from the boat platform to make the retrieve. Should the dog surface without the article, the handler may, if time permits, bring the dog back on the platform for another jump.  The dog may not make the retrieve from a swim dive unless the dog has first demonstrated a complete underwater dive for the retrieve off the boat platform. The judge shall take into consideration the length of a dog’s coat.  The judge shall not disqualify a dog’s dive if the entire coat on the dog’s back or the tail does not completely submerge.  The dog shall not leave the water before the completion of the retrieve.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall enter the boat and set up for the task.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge either the handler or a steward shall toss or drop the diving article into the water in front of the dog.
   

4. •Without further direction from the judge the handler shall send the dog to retrieve the article. 
   

5. •The dog shall jump from the boat platform, diving directly underwater, submerging its entire body, retrieve the article and bring it to the surface.  
   

6. •The Judge shall signal the end of the task.
   

6 J     Rescue Tow of Handler, Sea to Shore off boat

Task Summary:  

The team shall board the platform of a row boat.  A steward shall row the team to the 60 ft line. The handler shall enter the water off the platform and pretend to be in distress. The dog shall be released by the steward. The dog shall leave the boat from the platform and swim to the handler. The dog shall circle the handler until the handler is able to grasp the harness line.  The dog shall tow the handler to shore.

Time limit:

3 minutes.  Timing shall begin when the handler calls the dog and shall end when the dog has completed the tow.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

A Harness Tow Line (Watersports Lead)

Site Equipment:  

Two markers, placed at or about 60 ft apart and 60 ft. out from and parallel to the shoreline. One or two markers set in a depth of water 20 inches deep to indicate shallow water for tow.   Row boat.

Classification of Standards:  None

Prescripts: 

The boat steward shall row the team out to one the 60 ft. line and shall maintain the boat on the waterward side of  60 ft line without anchoring.  The steward shall not communicate with the team until instructed by the judge. The steward shall keep the stern facing the handler once the handler has entered the water. The boater shall row waterward when the dog leaves the boat. The handler may not stand in the boat at any time.  The handler may leave the boat by sliding, rolling or sit-diving into the water and shall swim away from the boat enough to allow the dog to jump safely.   Once clear of the boat the handler shall splash and move about as if in distress until the dog leaves the boat. Once on board the boat the dog shall not leave the boat platform, especially during the handler’s splashing, until signaled by the steward. The handler shall not communicate with or signal the dog until after the steward has released the dog from the platform.  The dog may be physically and vocally active, but shall remain on the platform until released.  The handler may gently kick to get the tow started or gently kick under conditions pre-approved by the judge, but otherwise shall remain inactive during the tow. The dog shall circle, loop or move so that the swimmer is able to grasp the floating harness line on the dog’s harness.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall board the boat, the steward shall row the team to the 60 ft line.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall enter the water from the boat platform.
   

4. •Once in the water and clear of the boat the handler shall splash as if in distress until the dog enters the water.
   

5. •The judge shall signal the steward to send the dog to help the handler.
   

6. •Upon signal from the steward, the dog shall immediately enter the water off the platform, swim to the handler, remain with the handler until the handler is able to grasp the dog’s harness tow line, then tow the handler to shore.
   

7. •The dog shall tow the handler until the handler is beached or the handler’s torso is on the shore side of the shallow water line.
   

8. •The judge signal the end of the task.
   

6 K   Tow Handler from Sea to Boat/ Dog leaves boater.

Task Summary:  

The dog shall be left on the boat platform while the handler travels to the waterward side of the 60 ft line.  The Steward shall row the dog to a position along the 60 ft line and 60 ft away from the handler. When called by the handler the dog shall leave the boat’s platform, swim to the handler, circle the handler until the handler can grasp the harness tow line, and tow the handler to the boat.

Time limit:

3 minutes.  Timing shall begin when the handler calls the dog and shall end when the handler has grasped the boat.

Time Requirements:  None

Team Equipment:  

A Harness Tow Line (Watersports Lead)

Site Equipment:  

Two markers, placed at or about 60 ft apart and 60 ft. waterward from and parallel to the shoreline.   Row boat.

Classification of Standards:  None

Prescripts: 

The handler shall travel to and remain on the waterward side of the 60 ft line and the exterior side of the perpendicular line between one of the 60 ft markers and the shoreline. The handler may gently kick to get the tow started or gently kick under conditions pre-approved by the judge, but otherwise shall remain inactive during the tow. The steward shall not communicate with the team unless instructed by the judge. The judge may signal the steward to begin rowing anytime after the handler has left the dog on the boat. The steward shall row the boat with the dog out to the 60 ft. line and shall maintain the boat on the waterward side of 60 ft line and the exterior side of the perpendicular line between the opposite 60 ft marker and the shoreline. The steward may anchor the boat. The steward shall keep the stern facing the handler.  The dog shall remain calm and quiet on the platform until called by the handler.  The dog shall circle, loop or move so that the swimmer is able to grasp the floating harness line on the dog’s harness.

Task:

1. •The Team shall enter the starter’s box.
   

2. •Upon signal from the judge the team shall travel to the boat, where the handler shall leave the dog on the boat platform and travel to designated position outside the 60 ft line.
   

3. •Upon signal from the judge the steward row the boat to the opposite 60 ft marker and hold the stern of the boat facing the handler.
   

4. •Upon signal from the judge the handler shall call the dog to come to the handler.
   

5. •Upon signal from the handler the dog shall immediately leave the boat platform and travel to within arms reach of the handler. The dog shall remain with the handler until the handler is able to grasp the harness tow line.
   

6. •The handler shall grasp the harness tow line and send the dog tow to the boat.
   

7. •The dog shall tow the handler close enough to the boat so that the handler may grasp the boat.
   

8. •When within arms reach of the boat the handler shall grasp the boat.
   

9. •The judge signal the end of the task.