Working Trials
Working Trials are a competitive sport based on the civilian equivalent of police dog work. They develop and test many canine skills – obedience and control, intelligence and independence, searching and tracking, agility and fitness. Trials are physically demanding for both dog and handler, but are also great fun and extremely rewarding.
Training
Training for Working Trials takes place at societies and clubs across the country, as well as at a number of training weekends and courses, and there is a friendly social scene to be enjoyed. Punitive or harsh handling are not tolerated, and all training is based on encouragement and positive reinforcement, leading to happy, well-trained dogs.
Structure
The Kennel Club provides a structure for Working Trials including regulations for trials, training and approval of judges, registration of training clubs and societies, resolution of objections and complaints and sponsorship of the annual Kennel Club Working Trial Championships, the sport’s flagship event. Two-way communication and liaison with competitors and clubs is organised through representatives elected on to the Working Trials Liaison Council, which normally meets twice a year.
- What are Working Trials?
- Getting Started in Working Trials
- Competing in Working Trials
- NEW - Introductory Stake
- Kennel Club Working Trials Championships
- Show Diary (PDF)
- Running a Working Trial
- Running a Working Trial Society
- Judges' Section
- Working Trials Liaison Council
- Working Trials Regulations
- Working Trials FAQs
- Kennel Club Registration
Working Trials Beginner's Guide
If you are just starting out in Working Trials or would simply like a bit more information to help you find out more about this activity you can visit the What are Working Trials? and the Getting started in Working Trials pages and you can also download our free Working Trials Beginner's Guide (PDF).
Keep up to date on Working Trials
If you would like to automatically receive email copies of Kennel Club Announcements and Press Releases about Working Trials, make sure that in your website profile you have a tick against 'Working Trials' in the Interests section, and that you have chosen a frequency for 'Content Updates' in the next section (Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly etc). Then click the 'Update' button on the profile page.
(To see your profile you need to log in - if this is your first visit you will need to register first)
Canine Sports Science Seminars
The Kennel Club is hosting a series of seminars which explore best practice when taking part with your dog in active sports such as obedience, agility, heelwork to music, flyball, working trials or field trials, and for treating and preventing any possible injuries taking a holistic approach.
Each seminar includes a number of presentations on different techniques and disciplines and their roles in the treatment of the canine athlete.
Click here for full details of the next two seminars on Saturday and Sunday, 30 and 31 October 2010
