The United States American Bulldog Club Protection Dog titles are designed to evaluate an American Bulldog’s working temperament and ability to protect their owner while remaining a safe and stable member of the community.  USABC Protection Dog 1 title has both an obedience and protection phase.  The USABC Protection Dog 2 and 3 titles do not have a separate obedience phase for two reasons.  One reason is that the dog has already demonstrated within the PD-1 title that they are able to remain under the control of their handler and that they are safe members of the community.  The second reason is that there is quite a bit of off-lead control required in the PD-2 and PD-3 titles and this also demonstrates the dog’s willingness to obey his/her handler in high drive, intense situations.

Dogs must be minimally 18 months of age to try for the Protection Dog title.  Handler’s wishing to attempt any Protection Dog title should bring with them to the trial a photocopy of the dog’s registration papers, their AWDF scorebook (or applicable scorebook dated prior to January 1, 2004) and whatever fee the hosting club requires to trial.  The dog’s scorebook shall be presented to the hosting club’s Secretary at the beginning of the trial.  The USABC does not require pre-registration for any of their tests, however, the hosting club may require pre-registration so please be sure to contact the hosting club before the trial date.

Our Protection Dog 1-3 titles may be taken using either a suit or a sleeve at the handler’s discretion.  If a handler elects to trial using a sleeve and the dog attempts to take a bite anywhere but the sleeve, it may be considered grounds for disqualification from this and any future PD trialing, at the discretion of the USABC Board of Directors.

As in any USABC working title a maximum of three out commands are allowed per exercise. A failure to out in any of the three gripping exercises will result in failure. Dogs that fail to engage the helper or come off the grip without immediately re-engaging, or , for the PD2-3, leave the helper during the guard portions of the exercise will not pass the test.

All dogs testing for the Protection Dog titles shall wear either a fur saver or a choke chain with the leash attached to the dead ring.  Corrections given during the trial will result in point deductions.  Excessive corrections will result in disqualification.  All exercises shall begin with the dog in the basic position (sitting at left of handler’s knee facing in the same direction as handler).

The handler should look for the judge’s signal to begin at the start of the trial and at the beginning of each exercise of the test.  All tests begin and end with the handler and dog reporting to the judge, stating their names and the title they are commencing or ending.

The obedience phase of the PD1 requires a minimum of 70 points in order to pass.   The protection phase of the PD1 requires 70 points to pass.

Dogs may not test more than once on any given day.

The leash should be held in left hand and be SLACK AT ALL TIMES.  Corrections may be deemed grounds for disqualification.

When reporting in for the PD1 test, the handler must tell the judge whether the dog shall be recalled after the out or guard after the out.

Obedience Phase (100 points)

Dogs shall automatically sit at all halts while remaining at handlers left side, its shoulder even with the handler’s knee.

 EXERCISE 1 - Heeling on leash

From the basic position, handler gives heel command.  Handler and dog team heels straight ahead.  When has heeled out 15 paces, judge’s assistant shall fire 2 shots from starter pistol.  Dog should not show distress at gunshots and should remain in control of the handler.  Team continues heeling an additional 25 paces and executes an about turn.  Team continues to heel 10 paces at a normal speed.  Without stopping, handler reissues heel command and team heels10 paces at an accelerated rate of speed.  Without stopping, handler reissues heel command and team heels10 paces at a slow rate of speed.  Without stopping, handler reissues heel command and team heels 10 paces at a normal rate of speed and executes a right turn.  Team heels 10 paces and executes another right turn.  Team heels15 paces and executes a left about turn.  Team heels 5 paces and halts.  Handler counts to three and reissues heel command.  Team heels 10 additional paces and executes a left turn into the group.
Dogs shall automatically sit at all halts while remaining at handlers left side, its shoulder even with the handler’s knee. The leash should be held in left hand and be SLACK AT ALL TIMES.  Corrections will be deemed grounds for disqualification.

EXERCISE 2 - Heeling through a group

At judge’s signal, handler heels the dog through a group of no less than 4 people in a figure 8 pattern and halts in the middle of group.  Members will be asked to calmly move in and crowd the dog while team maintains the basic position.  Judge will then dismiss the group.

EXERCISE 3 - Sit out of motion

From basic position team heels straight ahead10 paces.  Without stopping, changing pace or looking back, handler issues a sit command and drops leash.  Dog should sit promptly and straight.  Handler continues forward another 30 paces, halts and turns to face the dog.  At judge’s signal, handler returns to dog and resumes basic position.

EXERCISE 4 - Down out of motion with recall

From basic position the team heels straight ahead 10 paces.  Without stopping, changing pace or looking back, handler issues a down command and drops leash.  Dog should down promptly and straight.  Handler continues another 30 paces, stops and turns to face the dog.  At judge’s signal, handler recalls the dog. The dog should run to handler and sit straight directly in front of the handler.   Handler re-issues heel command and the dog should promptly return to the basic position.

EXERCISE 5- Simulated ATM Scenario

At judge’s signal, handler heels dog out of group and up to a simulated ATM (which can be any object which with imagination could act as an ATM).  Dog should assume basic position as handler simulates use of ATM.  Stranger should come up behind handler and simulate a waiting on line scenario.  Stranger may act impatient, but may not touch handler or behave in an aggressive manner.  Handler heels dog away from ATM.  Dog should alert to the stranger by watching and guarding.  If stranger yells at handler or gets loud with handler, dog may bark, however the dog should remain in total control of handler and not lunge or pull toward stranger.

Obedience Phase Concluded.

Protection Phase (100 points)

Only dogs which have passed the obedience /temperament test may take part in the protection phase of the test.
Note:  Failure to guard, lack of focus during guard and re- gripping after out command will be negatively reflected in the dog’s evaluation.
 

EXERCISE 1 - Surprise attack on handler (out of the blind)

Dog and handler heel away from the ATM and approach the blind on lead.  When dog and handler are approximately 14 feet from the blind, the judge will instruct the helper to come out of the blind and attack the handler.  Upon attack of helper, handler must drop the lead.  The dog should immediately engage the helper and continue gripping while being driven by the helper minimally seven paces.  Dog shall receive two stick hits with a padded stick at intervals of 3 steps between hits.  If the dog fails to grip the sleeve or comes off at any time, the helper must continue to drive the dog.  If the dog re-engages the helper and grips, the test will continue.  If the dog fails to re-grip, the judge shall stop the test and the dog will be excused for failure to commit.  Upon signal from the judge, handler outs the dog.  A total of three (3) out commands are allowed.  If the dog refuses to out after first and second commands, handler may, upon judge’s instructions, approach the dog to give the final out command.  Each additional out command (after the first command) will constitute a 3 point deduction.  Handler may not touch the dog while issuing the out command.  After dog outs, the handler has the option of recalling the dog into a basic position or allowing the dog to guard.   If the handler opts to recall the dog, the dog will be judged on the speed of recall, the correctness of the basic position and intensity of the dog's focus on the helper.  If the handler opts to allow the dog to guard, the dog will be judged on the correctness of the guard (dog should not bump helper or take dirty bites) and the intensity of focus on the helper.   Barking is not required.

EXERCISE 2 - The Courage Test

Upon signal from judge, handler removes the dog’s leash and takes hold of the dog’s collar.   Helper runs away to a distance of approximately 30 yards then turns and runs straight at dog in a threatening manner.  Helper may yell and threaten dog with stick.  Upon the judge’s signal, handler gives one command and sends dog down field toward the helper.  Dog should run toward helper immediately, without hesitation, and show full commitment to the grip.  Dogs who fail to engage the helper, come off the grip without immediately re-engaging, or leave the helper during guard will not pass the test.  Helper then drives the dog no less than seven paces and locks up.  Upon judge’s signal, handler outs the dog.  Handler may, at this point, allow the dog to guard or recall the dog under same guidelines as exercise 1.  Upon judge’s signal, handler puts lead on dog dog and leaves the field with dog.

Protection Phase Concluded.