Skills Level Two

Set up Rules

  • Balls, baskets, cones, boxes, etc. are appropriate objects for Send and Directional tests.
  • Mats are not allowed in any test.
  • Treats and toys are allowed at the end of each skill test and when the dog returns to the handler before reversing direction in the Directional Cues skill test.  
  • A 25’ by 5’ handler area is required and all rules regarding handler area in the handbook apply.
  • No goal is required.
  • All rules regarding appropriate size and treatment of balls in the handbook apply.

Send Test – Object is placed 25 feet from the rear and center of the handler area; maximum time of 25 seconds

  1. The dog is sent from handler’s side to the opposite side of an object.
  2. The dog pauses 2 to 3 seconds behind the object.


Push Test - Ball is placed 30 feet from the rear and center of the handler area; maximum time 15 seconds

  1. The test begins with the dog in a sit, stand or down position on the opposite side of the ball from the handler. The test does not include a send or directional cue.
  2. Elapsed time begins at the handler’s cue for the dog to push.  
  3. Time ends when the ball has completely entered the handler area.

Note:  The videos below were before the change to measure distances for Skills from the back of the handler box (the goal line), thus these are all listed as 25' ft rather than 30'.



Directional Cues Test - Three objects in a line at 20 feet from the rear of the handler area
and 10 feet apart; maximum time 45 seconds per direction

  1. The dog is sent from handler’s side to the opposite side of one of the end objects. The dog pauses behind the object.
  2. The dog is sent from behind the first object to behind the middle object and then pauses.
  3. The dog is sent in the same direction from behind the middle object to behind the third object and then pauses.
  4. The dog is recalled to the handler.
  5. The test is to be to be completed twice; once in each direction.