The videotaping should cover at least three different days so we can get a better feel for the dog’s personality and don’t have to worry that it may have just been a “good day” for the dog J The videotaping should not take more than a 6 month time frame, but the taping of the various elements below should not all be done on the same day and can be as spread out in time (within the 6 months) as you wish. Items with a red u would be best if video taped by a person rather than a stationary camera.

Passing this test is not meant to be easy, but rather something for which you can be proud! Not all dogs can be Dog Scouts and those that want to hold the title need to prove that they have sufficient training and the proper temperament to represent Dog Scouts of America. The humans need to prove they will be responsible parents that understand how to be “the smart end of the leash.” In most of the situations below, both the dog and the parent’s actions are being evaluated.

Certification behaviors need to be performed in accordance with the Dog Scouts of America guidelines set forth for the Dog Scout test. These guidelines spell out what is allowed and not allowed during the testing phase.  Be SURE to review these guidelines before starting your videotaping.

Training behaviors need to show that the parent understands and used acceptable methods to train their dog and that the dog understands those methods. Information on how to train each of the behaviors using acceptable methods is available on the DSA and Troop 107 website.

_____ Certification behavior: Dog is shown greeting at least three people, preferably people the dog has not met before.  This could be at a dog park, at a pet supply store, at a local park, training facility, etc.  It should be at least three people that are as diverse as possible (Examples would be: man, woman, child, person in a wheelchair or using a walker or crutches, person in a uniform, person with a characteristic that makes them unique from others the dog has been shown greeting)

_____ Certification behavior: Parent is shown encouraging a proper greeting between his/her leashed dog and another leashed dog. The dog being greeted can be known to the dog being tested, but greeting behavior needs to be shown (the dogs ignoring each other won’t work.)  It cannot be a dog that lives in the same household as the dog being tested.

_____ Certification behavior: uDog is shown interacting off lead with other dogs. This can be in a yard, in a house, at a dog park, in a day care or any safe and secure location where it is legal for dogs to be off lead.

_____ Certification behavior: Parent shows and explains what they would do during a meeting between their leashed dog and another leashed dog if their dog or the other dog started showing signs of aggression. The dog being tested and another dog should be present for this “set-up”, but signs of aggression should not be present. Just pretend that one or both of the dogs is showing aggressive signals and show/explain on the tape what you would do to prevent further escalation of the situation. It is the parent being evaluated in this exercise, more than the dog (but the dog needs to respond to the handler.)

_____ Training Behavior: Demonstrate the training steps used to teach the dog a “Leave it” cue for food on the floor. Include the use of a clicker or other “marker” signal (like a verbal “yes”) so it can be seen that you understand the proper timing of the signal. If your dog already has a solid response to this cue: set-up the “training” scenario to the best of your ability and be sure to use a food item the dog wants.  It needs to be shown that the dog responds to the clicker or other signal during this exercise. Rewards can be used.

_____ Certification behavior: Part 1: You will need to show that the dog can be cued to “leave it” and make the choice to turn and move away from food he wants and is looking at while the parent remains stationary and does not use the leash as a cue (only a verbal cue.)  Be sure to review the guidelines for the leave it exercise before submitting them for review. The dog should do three correct passes or responses in a row with no stopping of the tape for both part 1 and part 2 without treats. 

_____ Part 2: The dog should also demonstrate that it will respond quickly and correctly to a “Leave it” cue while walking past food that it wants and knows is on the floor. It is helpful if the food is first given to the dog to show they want it and then put on a plate to make it easier to see in the video. It should be table scraps with a strong scent that the dog wants to get. Items like BBQ rib bones, cooked steak trimmings, hotdog pieces, tuna, or anything the dog clearly wants to eat with gusto are acceptable. Using food the dog has no interest in will not count. The dog should be close enough to reach the food, the leash needs to remain loose for the entire pass by the plate and the dog clearly shows a choice to leave it without help from the leash. Using the “heel” cue is not permitted, but an alternate cue that the dog understands means “Leave it” can be used such as “on by”, “don’t touch”, etc.

_____  Training Behavior: Demonstrate the training steps used to teach the dog a “Leave it” cue with another animal as the distraction. Include the use of a clicker or other “marker” signal (like a verbal “yes”) so it can be seen that you understand the proper timing of the signal. If your dog already has a solid response to this cue: set-up the “training” scenario to the best of your ability using an animal the dog wants to investigate. It needs to be shown that the dog has a definite interest in the other animal and responds to the clicker or other signal during this exercise. Rewards can be used. The other animal should not be a fake animal unless it looks and SMELLS real and shouldn’t be another dog. It can be a crated cat, caged ferret, caged bird, contained rodent, contained farm animal, or a fresh wild animal carcass (killed by a predator or by traffic).  It could also be a furry cat toy (with real fur on it) that is put on fishing line and pulled across the floor to simulate live movement before it is stopped for the dog to pass by.  This test should not take place on a roadway (if road kill is used move it off the road.) It should not put undue stress on the animal being used for the leave it.  If you are unsure if a particular animal qualifies, please contact the Certification Program Director prior to taping.

_____ Certification behavior: The dog should demonstrate that it will respond quickly (this means before close inspection or contact is made with the other animal) and correctly to a “Leave it” cue to be called away from interest in another animal.  The animal used for this test needs to follow the same guidelines as listed above (live or realistic fake.)  The dog should show definite interest in the other animal, and clearly show a choice to leave it when cued without help from the leash. Please show both walk by’s and stationary leave it’s. Be sure to review the guidelines for this before submitting it for review. The dog should do three correct leave it’s in a row: 3 moving without stopping the tape and 3 stationary without stopping of the tape. As above, using the “heel” cue is not permitted.