GENERAL:
The objective of the Basic Obedience Skills Test is to demonstrate to the Certification Official that a Canine Team can work together in a safe and effective manner.


BASIC SKILLS TEST (DEFINED):
The demonstration of the Canine Team's ability to perform a series of agility tests respond accurately to obedience commands, (both verbal and non-verbal, on lead) while remaining under the "control" of the handler, to the satisfaction of the Certification Official.

ON LEASH: The canine and handler will demonstrate their ability to perform, (on a basic agility course) a "workout" as determined by the Certification Official. This may include (to be read as available and determined by the Certification Official), but not limited to, walking up stairs, a forty-five degree incline, a series of jumps with the height of the jumps to be determined by the Certification Official. The canine and handler will do a series of left and right turns, a halt without being commanded. The handler shall place the canine in a "sit" position, walk to the end of a six-foot leash, turn and face the canine…. the canine shall remain in a "sit" for no longer then 60 seconds, or until released by the Certification Official, (which ever is shorter). Upon acknowledgement of the Certification Official the dog will return to the handler ending with a "sit-stay-heel" position.

A minimum of oral commands shall be given to the canine and excessive talking to the canine shall be justification for the Certification Official to "NON-QUALIFY" the canine team. No restrictions shall be placed on "hand signals".

In the event of a "NON-QUALIFY" the Certification Official may place the Canine Team at the end of the list and re-test at a later time during the day, if the Certification Official so desires.

The Certification Official decisions are final. (No additional fee will be charged if re-testing is done at the same test period).

No other canine shall be within a reasonable distance of the canine being tested. If at all possible, no canine shall be in view of the Canine Team being tested.

The decision of the Certification Official is final.

It shall be noted that all situations concerning LETS Certification Skills Tests can not be covered in this policy, due to many locations, and testing environments that are involved. However, the Certification Officials appointed by the Board of Regents are highly experienced in conducting such tests. The purpose of the Certification Skills Test is to determine the overall ability of the team to perform Basic Obedience.