TEAM Level 1 – General overview
General overview
Location: Any familiar location, such as the house, yard or regular training area. All exercises off leash.
Equipment: Foot target, cone, three scent articles, jump, vertical target.
Optional: platform, nosework oil, distraction bowl or plate.
Cues: All cues may be verbal and/or hand signals in this level.
Reinforcement: One external reinforcer (food or toy) for each exercise. At the end of each exercise, the handler may reinforce the dog’s behavior. The reinforcer must be kept in a pocket (no bait bags) and out of sight while the dog is performing an exercise. The reinforcer MUST be the same food or toy that is used in any distraction work. Food tosses do NOT count, and are allowed during the exercise when specified as an option. One reinforcer = one treat OR ball toss/toy play up to 10 seconds.
Maximum video length: 7 minutes
Video Special Rules: Handlers may opt to film Level 1 and/or Level 1+ as two parts.
- The video must split the exercises as 1-5 and 6-10.
- Both videos must be taken within 7 days of each other.
- Location must be the same for both sets of exercises
- Video must be edited together as one complete video for submission purposes.
- Maximum time allowed limits still apply.
- Regular 1+ levels for location rules still apply
- Does not apply for level one honors.
Sample Video:
Additional samples of Level 1 passing videos
Sample Videos:
Note: Dog not required to pivot 360 degrees on foot target or to stop after reaching 180 degrees on send around cone.
Note: The send around cone was judged as questionable in this level due to early mark (“yes”) by handler.
Exercise 1-1: Engagement & Pivot
Engage the dog for 10 seconds without formal cues, proceed to pivot platform, pause in heel position, and then execute 180-degree pivot.
Handler engages the dog for 10 seconds of playful interaction and then moves with dog to pivot platform. Handler and dog pause in heel position and then perform an 180-degree counterclockwise pivot in heel position using the pivot platform.
Click to see video examples, details and judging criteria
Exercise 1-2: Find Heel Position
Find heel position from 6 ft. (2 m) away (straight plus one angle).
Following a cookie toss or circling a cone, the dog is expected to find heel position from straight ahead and coming in from one angle using a platform/foot target/box.
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Exercise 1-3: Find Front Position
Find front position from 6 ft. (2 m) away (straight plus one angle) with foot target/platform.
Following a cookie toss or circling a cone, the dog is expected to find front position from straight ahead and from one angle with the assistance of a platform/foot target/box.
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Exercise 1-4: Position Changes
Position changes from 5 ft. (1.5 m) away with a foot target/platform.
Demonstrate sit and down positions from a distance of 5 ft. (1.5 m) using a foot target or platform.
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Exercise 1-5: Back up
Back up minimum distance of 2 ft.
Handler cues the dog to back away 2 ft. (0.6 m). Back-up target is optional.
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Exercise 1-6: Send to vertical target
Send dog to vertical target placed 5 ft. (1.5 m) away.
Handler cues the dog to go to any vertical target placed 5 ft. (1.5 m) away. Target touch is optional but dog must approach within a half-body length of target.
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Exercise 1-7: jump
High jump or bar jump (height or width must be minimum of ⅓ dog’s height).
Dog is cued to walk or run over a low bar or solid jump.
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Exercise 1-8: Go Around an Object
Go around an object.
Handler sends the dog around an object (such as a cone or pole) placed minimum 5 ft. (1.5 m) away.
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Exercise 1-9: Scent articles
Identify correct article (out of 3) by scent.
Dog correctly indicates the handler’s scent (or nosework scent) from among three objects.
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Exercise 1-10: Stay with Release
Stay under distraction with handler close by.
Dog demonstrates the ability to hold a stay while handler places a food or toy distraction approximately 5-10 ft. (1.5 – 3 m) in front of dog, returns to dog for two seconds and then dog moves when given a release cue.
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Additional Resources
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(For convenience only. Please rely on the website exercise pages for details, updates, examples and judging criteria.)
