Training your dog for Working Trials is rewarding in itself, but it is at a trial that you discover how well your training is progressing. The atmosphere at a trial is always supportive and encouraging, perhaps partly because the handlers are competing against a standard rather than against other competitors.

Starting off
If you're not sure how to get started in Working Trials, first take a look at the Getting Started page.

First Trial
Once you have started training your dog and understand more about Working Trials, you will want to think about entering a trial. To be sure you are prepared,  take a look at the ' Checklist - going to your first trial' below.  Be aware that most trials span several days. You may find that all your exercises are scheduled on the same day, but you may sometimes find that your nosework exercises are on one day while your control and agility exercises take place at the end of the trial.

Progressing
When you have gained more experience, you will aim to qualify to enter into more advanced stakes. Qualification in Working Trials is obtained by achieving sufficient marks in each group of exercises and also at least 80% of the available marks overall for the stake in which you are competing. You will initially enter each stake at an Open Trial; if you are successful this qualifies you to enter the same stake at a Championship Trial.

From the first stake, Companion Dog (CD) or Open Utility Dog (UD), through Championship Utility Dog (UD), Open and Championship Working Dog (WD), to Open and Championship Patrol Dog (PD) and Tracking Dog (TD) at the very top, a dog is required to obtain 70% of the marks in each group of exercises and 80% of the overall total marks in order to qualify and thereby progress upwards to the next stake. 

Excellent Awards
When your dog gains a qualifying mark of at least 70% in each group of exercises and at least 80% overall at a Championship Working Trial, it is entitled to use the title ‘Excellent’ after the qualification – for example UD Ex., WD Ex. or TD Ex. The titles TD Ex. and PD Ex. are automatically added to the dog’s record by the Kennel Club on receipt of the trial’s marked catalogue. To apply to add other Ex. awards to a dog’s record, a copy of the relevant qualification certificate should be sent to the Awards Section of the Canine Activities Department at the Kennel Club, 1-5 Clarges St, Piccadilly, London W1J 8AB.

Championship Qualification
The highest accolade in Working Trials is the title of Working Trial Champion (WT Ch), which is awarded to a dog which has won two Working Trial Certificates (with an 'Excellent' qualification) under two different Judges. The winner of a Kennel Club Working Trial Championships which has qualified 'Excellent' automatically gains the title of Working Trial Champion.

Kennel Club Working Trials Championships
Each year, dogs winning Championship TD and PD tickets with an Excellent qualification during the year are invited to compete in the Kennel Club Working Trials Championships (the “KCCs”’), held every October and hosted by a different society each year. Details of the Kennel Club Working Trial Championships

Checklist - Going to your first trial

Preparation

• Dress appropriately – plenty of layers of warm clothing, strong waterproof walking boots or Wellington boots, wind- and water-proof jacket, hat and gloves. Even in British weather you may also need sunglasses.
• If you take a change of clothing, you will not face a cold and damp car journey home. Pack food and drinks as you are unlikely to be near shops, though societies often provide snacks and hot drinks at the base. Judges lunches are provided by the host society.
• Getting to a trial often involves a long car journey –a strong travelling cage and plenty of water will make your dog’s journey more comfortable. Often working dogs are not fed before the day’s work, but remember to pack food and bowls to enable you to feed your dog before returning home. 
• Check the schedule/catalogue for details of where the Trial is being held, and the time for reporting to the base.

At the Trial

• Allow plenty of time to reach the base – if you run late, you will usually find a mobile phone number to call the Trial Manager.
• Book in once you arrive at the base. Take note of the briefing you will receive on where you will be working and how to get there, and advice on parking so as not to obstruct the work of farmers and landowners. Working Trials are vitally dependent on the goodwill and generosity of landowners, farmers and their workers, so always treat the countryside with respect and be courteous to all those who live and work there.
• Keep your dog under control and be aware of its reactions. Give it time to adjust to the environment of the trial, and if it seems affected by the proximity of other competitors, give it some space and reassurance. If you feel your dog should not continue working, ask the judge’s permission before withdrawing from that exercise.
• At the end of the Trial, join the other competitors at the base for the Judge’s summing up and the prize giving. It is courteous and expected that you will attend regardless of your personal results. If you do wish to withdraw from any part of the stake you must obtain permission from the Trials Manager.

Further Information and forms

• Registering your dog with the Kennel Club
• ATC (Authority to Compete) Form for dogs from overseas (PDF)
• Working Trials and Bloodhound Trials Regulations
• Code of Practice for Objections and Appeals

Other Working Trials Pages

• Getting Started in Working Trials
• What are Working Trials
• Working Trials Diary (PDF)
• Claiming a Working Trials Excellent award
• Judges' Section
• Working Trials - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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• Top of this page (Competing in Working Trials)
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• Working Trials - Home Page

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