To complete Sirius K9 Academy’s Intermediate Obedience Level (and receive a
certificate if in our class) and move on to our Advanced Obedience Level, your dog must be able to perform the following exercises using ONE
voice command or hand signal (no corrections are allowed - verbal or with the
leash - you cannot bend over and you cannot repeat commands or use both a verbal and hand signal at the same time) during the exam. Treats & toys are permitted as a reward AFTER completion of the
exercises (not during.) Treat aprons cannot be worn during the test but you can have some treats on you in your pocket as long as they are not in a baggie and cannot be seen by your dog. Your 5' - 6' leash and long line must remain loose
the entire time during the exam. Only a nylon or leather collar will be permitted on your dog (no training collars can be on the dog during the test.)
Please see below for the description and video clip of each exercise of our Intermediate Obedience Test.
** In the video clips are Jim and his dog Kekona. "Kona" is a 8 year old female Wheaton Terrier. Jim has owned her since an 8-week old puppy and began training her with us at approximately 6 months of age. She is a certified TDI Therapy Dog. **
To pass our Intermediate Obedience Level Certification, your dog must be able to
perform the following exercises:
Sit and down at your side (in heel position) with only a
hand signal. (You cannot give any kind of a verbal command, bend over, or snap your fingers, etc.)
Sit and down in front of you at the end of the leash in
place using only a hand signal. (Same rules as above apply.)
Sit & down in-motion (your dog must sit and down while you are walking at a normal pace.) No body cues are permitted, only a verbal command. Once your dog sits or downs, they must hold that position as you continue walking away. We will tell you when we want you to turn around and return back to your dog into heel position. Your dog must hold the position after the command was given as you continue walking and upon your return into heel position beside them.
Stand from a sit and down at your side (in heel position.) You may use a hand signal or verbal command for this exercise. (Not both.)
Stand from a sit and down in front of you at the end of the leash in place. You may use a hand signal or verbal command for this exercise. (Not both.)
Formal recall from at least 25 yards with an auto-sit directly in front of you. We will tell you when to recall your dog after you walk away from them. (This could be several minutes.) You can put your dog in a down or sit position before you walk away. After being recalled, your dog must then
return into heel position when we tell you to bring your dog back into heel (you cannot move your body when finishing your dog.) They can "flip-finish" or go behind you when returning into heel position upon command and must then sit automatically at your side.
Must refuse food offered by one of our staff members while sitting in heel position
next to you, and while on a down next to you (the food will be offered by hand when the dog is sitting
and dropped or placed in front of the dog when it is in a down.) One command of "Leave It" or something similar is permitted. ** Ideally, your dog should refuse the food without needing a command telling them to leave it, as demonstrated here. **
Mary Ann is offering Kona string cheese.
Mary Ann is offering Kona a Turkey Hot Dog.
Heeling (figure eight / weave around at least two obstacles) and your dog must sit
automatically when you stop walking without being told to do so. During the heeling part of the exam, the end of the leash will
be in your pocket or over your shoulder (you cannot hold the leash.) You also cannot pat your leg or talk to your dog once the heeling command has been given. We will tell you when we want you to stop walking.
Complete at least a One-Minute Stand Stay (handler is out of site of the dog)
Complete at least a Three-Minute Sit Stay (handler is out of site of the dog)
"This exercise is performed the same way as the stand stay above."
Complete at least a Ten-Minute Down Stay (handler is out of site of the dog)
"This exercise is performed the same way as the stand stay above."
** Optional **
Complete a five minute “Ook” or "Chin" Stay (handler is out of site of the dog.) This exercise is performed the same way as the stand stay above. You may put your dog into the Ook position while doing the down out of site exercise and get both out of the way at the same time – If your dog succeeds at
this exercise during the test, you will earn a free Sirius K9 T-Shirt! :) The video clip below demonstrates an Ook. ** We teach this command so that you will have ultimate control over your dog. This is a great command for dogs that are easily distracted, get overly-excited, or are reactive / aggressive with dogs and/or people. **
