A new Working Trials stake – the Introductory Stake – came into effect on 1st January 2010. This initiative is aimed at encouraging new competitors to enter Working Trial competitions and to provide a graduated step on the way to entering the existing qualifying stakes. The intention is to give participants the entire feel of the CD Open Stake but to ask them to do less, so as to give confidence to both the dog and the handler.

In summary

The exercises are based on the CD Open stake but with: 

• the inclusion of a maximum distance for the send away
• shorter times for the stay exercises
• reductions in the dimensions of the agility equipment
• the addition of a fourth article in the search square but with only three articles required to be retrieved
• the use of extra commands being permitted in heelwork, recall and retrieve.

The Introductory Stake can be held on its own or as part of a larger Open or Championship Working Trial, and existing societies are encouraged to organise an Introductory Stake as part of their training days and weekends during the coming months. 

The Introductory Stake is a non-qualifying stake - it does not affect eligibility for other stakes.

Detailed Regulations relating to the Introductory Stake
The following extracts from the Working Trial Regulations 2010 are provided only for convenience. In case of any doubt or dispute the full Regulations must be referred to.

Certificates
I.17.c Societies may issue Certificates for the Introductory Stake provided the Certificate contains the following words: “This Certificate does not entitle the dog named to any qualification recognised by the Kennel Club”.

I(A) DEFINITION OF STAKES, ELIGIBILITY AND EXERCISES
I(A).5. Open Working Trials.
 a. Introductory Stake—For dogs which have not qualified CDEx or UDEx. Dogs in this stake may also enter the CD Stake.

I(A).6. Championship Working Trials.
a. Introductory Stake—For dogs which have not qualified CDEx or UDEx. Dogs in this stake may also enter the CD Stake.

I(A). 8. Introductory Stake.
A Working Trial may be run consisting only of an Introductory Stake.

I(A).9. Schedule of Exercises and Points.
a. INTRODUCTORY AND COMPANION DOG (CD) STAKE

Annex C to I Regulations I(C)
DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES AND GUIDANCE FOR JUDGES
1. Method of Handling.—Although implicit obedience to all orders is necessary, dogs and handlers must operate in as free and natural a manner as possible; persistent barking, whining, etc. in any exercise other than location of articles, person or speak on command should be penalised. Food must not be given to the dog by the handler whilst being tested.

 2. Heel Work.—The Judge should test the ability of the dog to keep its shoulder reasonably close to the left knee of the handler who should walk smartly in a natural manner at normal, fast and slow paces through turns and among and around persons and obstacles. The halt, with the dog sitting to heel and a “figure of eight” may be included at any stage. Any act, signal or command or jerking of the lead which in the opinion of the Judge has given the dog unfair assistance shall be penalised. Extra commands shall be permitted in the Introductory Stake. Where required the lead should be of a slip type or attached to a smooth collar or slip chain. Retractable leads or head collars are not to be used.

 3. Sit (Introductory Stake 1 Minute. CD Stake 2 Minutes).—Dogs may be tested individually or in a group or groups. The Judge or Stewards will give the order “last command” and handlers should then instantly give their final commands to the dogs. Any further commands or signals to the dogs will be penalised. Handlers will then be instructed to leave their dogs and proceed to positions indicated by the Judge or Steward until ordered to return to them. In the Introductory Stake, these positions should be in sight, but in the CD Stake, where possible, such positions should be out of sight of the dogs but bearing in mind the short duration of the exercise this may not be practical. Dogs must remain in the sit position throughout the test until the Judge or Steward indicates that the test has finished. Minor movements may be penalised. The Judge however may use discretion should interference by another dog cause the dog to move.

 4. Down (Introductory Stake 5 Minutes. Other Stakes 10 Minutes).—Handlers must be out of sight of the dogs who may be tested individually or in a group or groups. The Judge or Steward will give the command “last command” and handlers should then instantly give their final commands to their dogs. Any further commands or signals to the dogs will be penalised. Handlers will then be instructed to leave their dogs and proceed to positions indicated by the Judge or Steward until ordered to return to them. Dogs must remain in the “Down” position throughout the test until the Judge or Steward indicates that the Test has finished. Minor movements may be penalised. No dog will be awarded any marks that sits, stands or crawls more than its approximate body length in any direction. The Judge however may use discretion should interference by another dog cause the dog to move. The Judge may test the dogs by using distractions but may not call them by name.

 5. Recall to Handler.—The dog should be recalled from the “Down” or “Sit” position. The handler being a reasonable distance from the dog at the discretion of the Judge. The dog should return at a smart pace and sit in front of the handler, afterwards going smartly to heel on command or signal. Handler to await command of the Judge or Steward. Extra commands shall be permitted in the Introductory Stake.

 6. Retrieve a Dumb-bell.—The dog should not move forward to retrieve nor deliver to hand on return until ordered by the handler on the Judge or Stewards’ instructions. The Retrieve should be executed at a smart pace without mouthing or playing with the dumbbell. After delivery the handler will send the dog to heel on the instruction of the Judge or Steward. Extra commands shall be permitted in the Introductory Stake.

 7. Send Away and Directional Control.—The Minimum distance that the Judge shall set for the Send Away shall be 18.288m (20 yds) for the Introductory Stake and the CD Stake and 45.72m (50 yds) for all other Stakes. In the Introductory Stake the maximum distance that the Judge shall set for the Send Away Shall be 45.72m (50 yds). The TD and PD Stakes shall also include change of direction or directions of a minimum of 45.72m (50 yds).When the dog has reached the designated point or the Judge is satisfied that after a reasonable time the handler cannot improve the position of the dog by any further commands the dog should be stopped in either the stand, sit or down position at the discretion of the handler. At this point in the TD or PD Stakes the Judge or Steward shall instruct the handler to redirect the dog. In all Stakes, whilst the Judge should take into account the number of commands used during the exercise, importance should be placed upon the handler’s ability to direct the dog to the place indicated.

 10. Agility.—the descriptions below should be followed for Agility:

a. No part of the clear, long jump or scale equipment to be traversed by the dog shall be less than 914.4mm(3ft) wide nor be in any way injurious to the dog. The tests shall be followed in any sequence decided by the judge Clear Jump, Long Jump, Scale, commencing with Clear Jump. Handlers should not be prevented from pacing or stepping out the position from which to send their dogs over the clear, long or scale jump provided this does not cause unnecessary delay.

 b. The Clear Jump should be so constructed that it will be obvious if the dog has exerted more than slight pressure upon it. The rigid top bar may be fixed or rest in cups and the space below may be filled in but the filling should not project above the bottom of the top bar. Appreciable pressure exerted by the dog on the clear jump shall be considered to be a failure.

 c. The construction of the Long Jump shall be as follows: The front element to be a minimum of 914.4mm (3ft) wide graduating over 5 elements. (The largest of which is removed for dogs not exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder: the largest two of which are removed for dogs not exceeding 254mm(10in) at shoulder) to a back element of a minimum width of 1.117m (3ft 8ins). The front edge of the front element to be 101.6mm (4ins) high rising to 177.8mm (7ins) at the back edge. Each element thereafter graduating in height by 25.4mm (1 in) - the back of the last element being 279.4mm (11ins) high. The minimum width (front to back) of each element to be at least 152.4mm(6ins) and clearly visible to the dog.

 d. The handler may either approach the clear and long jumps with the dog or send it forward or stand by the jumps and call the dog up to jump. At no time should the handler proceed beyond any part of the jumps before they have been traversed by the dog. Casual fouling of the Clear or Long Jump may be penalised. Once the dog has cleared the obstacle he should remain on the other side under control until joined by the handler.

 e. The Scale should be a vertical wall of wooden planks which may be grooved, or chamfered along their bottom edge, to assist the dog. Slats are not permitted. The top surface of the scale may be slightly padded. The handler and dog should approach the scale at a walking pace with the dog at heel. At the handlers discretion and in his own time whilst the dog and handler are in a stationary position and the dog's front feet are within the clearly defined 2.743m (9ft) marker(s) the dog should be ordered to scale. On reaching the other side the dog should be ordered to stay in the stand, sit or down position, the handler having previously nominated the position to the Judge. The Judge should ensure that the dog will stay steady and may indicate to the handler where he should stand in relation to his dog and the scale before ordering the dog to be recalled over the scale. A dog which fails to go over the scale at the second attempt shall be excluded from the stay and recall over the scale. Failure in the recall over the scale does not disqualify from marks previously gained.

 f. Failure or refusal at any of the 3 types of jump may be followed by a second attempt and any one such failure shall be penalised by half the marks allotted to that part of the exercise in which the dog is given a second attempt.

 g. Jumping heights and lengths:

(1) Introductory Stake:

(a) Clear Jump—

• Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 381mm (1ft 3ins)
• Dogs not exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 457.2mm (1ft 6ins)
• Dogs exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 762mm (2ft 6ins)

(b) Long Jump—

• Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 990.6m (3ft 3ins)
• Dogs not exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.524m (5ft)
• Dogs exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.828m (6ft)

(c) Scale—

• Dogs not exceeding 254mm (10in) at shoulder 762mm (2ft 6ins)
• Dogs not exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 990.6mm (3ft 3ins)
• Dogs exceeding 381mm (15in) at shoulder 1.524m (5ft)

11. Search.—The Introductory Stake Search shall contain 4 articles of which only 3 are to be recovered. The Companion Dog (CD) Stake Search shall contain 3 articles and all other Stakes shall contain 4. In all Stakes fresh articles must be placed for each dog who must recover a minimum of 2 to qualify. The Judge must choose Track and Search articles suitable to the nature of the ground and Stake being judged and which are unlikely to be in any way injurious to the dog. The time allotted shall be 4 minutes in the Introductory Stake and the CD Stake and 5 minutes in all other Stakes. The articles should be well handled and placed by a Steward who shall foil the ground by walking in varying directions over the area. An area of ground which has had a search laid over it must not have another search laid over it until the following day.

The Introductory Stake and the CD Stake search area shall be 13.761m square (15 yards square), all other Stakes being 22.86m square (25 yards square) and shall be clearly defined by a marker peg at each corner. The handler may work his dog from any position outside the area, but must not enter it. In the Introductory Stake and the CD Stake a maximum 5 marks should be allotted for each article and a maximum 5 marks for style and control. In all other Stakes a maximum 7 marks should be allotted for each article and a maximum 7 marks for style and control. 

(The use of the singular throughout this Annex may, where appropriate, also apply to the plural.)

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Other Working Trials Pages

• Getting Started in Working Trials
• Competing in Working Trials
• Trials Diary (PDF)
• Working Trials - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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