3.e.5. Core

CORE WATER WORK BEHAVIORS

Swim:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to propel herself in a controlled, purposeful motion in and upon the water’s surface when in swim depth water.

Team Swim:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to swim next to a swimming person and to respond appropriately to (follow) swimmer’s speed and direction changes.

Retrieve:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to take and move an object into the handler’s hand when cued by the handler.

Water Retrieve:

Canine demonstrates the ability and desire to swim to a designated floating object, take it and return it to the handler’s hand when cued by the handler.

Underwater Retrieve:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to remove an object from below the water surface, pick it up and deliver it to the handler’s hand when cued by the handler. (Pawing it out is acceptable)!

Dive:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to submerge her head and or entire body, to accomplish a retrieve, when cued by the handler.

Deliver:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to transport an object from the handler to a target (named thing, location or person) when cued by the handler.

Tow:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to overcome resistance and pull a designated object over a designated course when cued by the handler.

Scent Find:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to find and indicate to the handler the location of a human scent source, which may be on or below the surface of the water, when cued by the handler.

Course & Destination:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to follow a course signal (left, right, go away, come toward, stop) when cued by the handler. Targeting: canine demonstrates ability and willingness to move to a named contact destination ie boat, shore, swimmer, marker, or retrieve article when cued by the handler.

Boat Etiquette:

Canine behaves in a calm, self controlled manner whenever she is on a boat.

Jump:

Canine demonstrates ability and desire to confidently & safely leap from a boat when cued by the handler.

CONCEPTS DOGS NEED TO LEARN FOR WATER WORK

Approval Signal (Also called a conditioned reinforcer or bridge)

Attention - focus on the handler when name is called.

Boat Up (board platform)

By Me (remain close - a more relaxed version of heeling)

Carry (grasp, hold, and or transport object/ cue can be the name of the object)

Circle/Help ( to walk or swim a loop around an object or person one or more times)

Distraction Tolerance - another level of attention work

Dive - (Submerge to reach target or retrieve object)

Drop (release article)

Duration of a behavior (continue until)

Go Out / Go Deep - Away (from handler) or out into the water

Here (target handler’s hand)

Ignore / Leave it

Jump / Plunge (leap away into water)

Left (dog’s left) AND Right (dog’s right)

Let’s Swim ( cue for cooperative team swim)

Off (all paws off)

Pull / Tug (overcome resistance)

Ready (focus, prepare for action)

Settle (relax and show calm behavior)

Stop / Stay

Sit and Down

Take/fetch (deliver object to my hand)

Target (place or thing to contact)

Target Recognition (to know the name of people, places and things) Boat, Shore, Marker, Water Articles