FARM DOG
The Farm Dog Certified Test consists of 12 situations that a dog might encounter in a typical farm environment.
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Greet the judge
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Walk around the farm and a passive stranger
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Jump on hay/straw bale
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Walk past farm animals
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Walk over or through unusual surfaces
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Supervised separation
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Pass through a gate
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Handler feeds livestock
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Reaction to another dog
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Reaction to noise distraction
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Dog approaches livestock
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Physical examination
AKC FARM DOG CERTIFICATION (FDC)
Your dog responds well to commands at home and in public, but how would he respond in a farm environment? There’s an easy way to find out: Sign him up for a Farm Dog Certified (FDC) test.
The FDC test is intended to test a dog’s aptitude to work as a farm dog. It is not meant to be an obedience test, however your dog will need to have basic leash-walking skills and a solid “stay” to be successful.
Open to all breeds of dogs, this test involves your dog performing a series of 12 exercises that are typical for a farm environment such as being in close proximity to livestock (who are always penned to avoid any altercations); jumping and staying on hay/straw bales; walking on unusual terrain; and jumping over logs. All exercises are done on a leash. There is no herding involved. Instead, the goal is to assess his aptitude as a working farm dog by exhibiting self-control, confidence and trust with you or his handler.