Sign Descriptions

Team moves forward with the dog in left heel position.

Team moves forward with the dog in right heel position.

Handler cues dog to perform any behavior handler chooses, as long as it is safe. If a moving behavior, it must be completed prior to the next sign. Handler must cue the dog to move back into original position on approach to the Free Choice sign, before continuing to next sign.

Dog performs a sit in position and then moves directly into a stand before moving forward. There should be a brief pause while the dog is in the sit and again in the stand. Dog should change behaviors without changing position relative to the handler.

Dog performs a down, directly from a stand, in position and then directly into a stand before moving forward. There should be a brief pause while the dog is in the down and again in the stand. Dog should change behaviors without changing position relative to the handler.

While heeling forward, the team moves in an approximately 270-degree turn to the right. 270-degree turns are not performed as a pivot where the dog or handler's feet remain in place. 270 turns are performed as walking in a circle but not around the sign. This sign may be used twice on a course.

While heeling forward, the team moves in an approximately 270-degree turn to the left. 270-degree turns are not performed as a pivot where the dog or handler's feet remain in place. 270 turns are performed as walking in a circle but not around the sign. This sign may be used twice on a course.

Team will weave thru a set of 3 or 4 props, as indicated on the course map, entering with the first prop to the left of the handler. The team has not completed the station until passing the last prop. A minimum of 2 props should be items other than cones. Props must be a minimum of 7 inches, and a maximum of 3 feet tall and no more than 18 inches wide. Props will be placed approximately 4-6 feet apart. Props will not contain food. This sign may be used twice on a course.

Dog crosses in front of the handler and takes a standing, stationary heel position on the opposite side of the handler before continuing forward.

Handler crosses in front of the dog and takes a position on the opposite side of the dog before continuing forward. Dog should remain stationary as handler crosses and before continuing forward.

Dog moves directly into left heel position. Transition to left heel is handler's choice. Dog remains standing.

Dog moves into directly right heel position. Transition to right heel is handler's choice. Dog remains standing.

Dog moves into the position directly in front of and facing the handler. Transition to center position is handler's choice, and may include a single step back. The dog remains standing.

Handler transitions the dog into center position, then pauses before moving backward a minimum of 3 steps. Dog moves with the handler, while remaining in center position. Handler then either transitions the dog back into position on approach to sign, or directs the dog into a new position as indicated by the next station if married to the current station.

Dog circles handler in a clockwise direction one revolution, beginning and ending in left heel.

Dog circles handler in a counter-clockwise direction one revolution, beginning and ending in right heel.

Dog spins in a clockwise circle, beginning and ending in the same position in which he started the spin.

Dog spins in a counter-clockwise circle, beginning and ending in the same position in which he started the spin.

With dog in right or center position, and the handler's left leg forward, the dog passes through directly into left heel. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size.

With dog in left or center position, and the handler's right leg forward the dog passes through directly into right heel. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size.

With dog in left heel, dog and handler perform a 180 turn to the left simultaneously, and independent of each other. Upon completion of the 180 turn, the dog will be in right heel.

With dog in right heel, dog and handler perform a 180 turn simultaneously to the right, and independent of each other. Upon completion of the 180 turn, the dog will be in left heel.

From left heel, dog crosses in front of the handler clockwise as handler turns counter-clockwise, each performing a 180 turn in opposite directions and ending with the dog in left heel.

From right heel, dog crosses in front of the handler counter-clockwise as handler turns clockwise, each performing a 180 turn in opposite directions and ending with the dog in right heel.

Handler turns left as the dog moves in a single circle around the handler. Dog and handler team then move forward with the dog in the same position as on approach to the sign.

Handler turns right as the dog moves in a single circle around the handler. Dog and handler team then move forward with the dog in the same position as on approach to the sign.

With dog in left heel, handler turns left as the dog passes through the handler's forward right leg directly into right heel. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size.

With dog in right heel, handler turns right as the dog passes through the handler's forward left leg directly into left heel. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size.

Dog performs a figure 8 thru handler's legs 2 times, crossing under the handler's legs a total of 4 times. Handler's legs should not move excessively in a forward or backward movement. Some bend in the knee may be present. For large dogs handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size.

Dog performs a walking weave, passing thru the handler's far leg 3 times. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size.

Dog performs a walking weave, passing thru the handler's far leg 4 times. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size.

Dog sits and lifts left paw. Dog and handler remain in position on approach to the sign. Dog should not touch handler, change position or come out of the sit behavior.

Dog sits and lifts right paw. Dog and handler remain in position on approach to the sign. Dog should not touch handler, change position or come out of the sit behavior.

Dog drops his chest toward the floor while keeping his hind end up. Dog performs the bow in the same position on approach to sign. Dog and handler must then pass the Bow sign to complete the course.

Dog moves into position behind the handler, with dog's nose facing handler's back, in line with the handler. Transition to behind position is handler's choice.

Dog circles handler 3 times, finishing in the same position where the behavior started.

Dog circles handler a minimum of two times as handler turns in opposite direction a minimum of one time. Dog finishes in the same position where the behavior started.

Dog performs clockwise spin as handler turns right to meet dog. Dog ends in center position.

Dog performs counter-clockwise spin as handler turns left to meet dog. Dog ends in center position.

Team performs a single clockwise spin side by side simultaneously, finishing in the same position where the behavior started.

Team performs a single counter-clockwise spin side by side, simultaneously, finishing in the same position where the behavior started.

Team performs a 360-degree pivot to the right. See definition of a pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Team performs a 360-degree pivot to the left. See definition of a pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Team performs a 180-degree pivot to the right. See definition of a pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Team performs a 180-degree pivot to the left. See definition of a pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Team performs a 360-degree pivot, with the dog in center position, in either direction. The handler's feet are the pivot point. See definition of a pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Team performs a 180-degree pivot in either direction. The handler's feet are the pivot point. See definition of a pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Dog and handler move laterally to the right in unison as dog maintains position. Handler takes a minimum of 4 steps.

Dog and handler move laterally to the left in unison as dog maintains position. Handler takes a minimum of 4 steps.

Dog follows handler in behind position as handler takes a minimum of 4 steps forward.

Dog passes thru the handler's far forward leg 3 times as handler steps back. Handler may step forward with the far leg first, or step back with the near leg and cue the dog thru the opposite leg. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size. This is a change of side sign.

Handler crosses in front of dog while dog stays in position. Dog then crosses in front of handler to position on other side of handler. Handler then crosses in front of dog again while dog stays in position. Each should remain stationary as the other crosses in front. This is a change of side sign.

Handler takes a minimum of 4 steps backward as the dog moves backward with handler and remains in left heel position.

Handler takes a minimum of 4 steps backward as the dog moves backward with the handler and remains in right heel position.

Handler transitions dog to center position. Dog then moves backward in center position while handler takes a minimum of 4 steps forward. Dog remains in center position, moving in unison with handler. Dog then moves back to position on approach to the sign.

Dog moves in a backward circle, rear first, around handler. Dog will travel in a counter-clockwise direction if on the left side of the handler, and in a clockwise direction if on the right side of the handler. Dog finishes behavior in the same position the behavior started.

Dog moves into position other than the primary positions of left heel, right heel, center or behind. Dog may have any part of his body be the connection point to handler. Position should be parallel or perpendicular to the handler and be held for a minimum count of 3. May include but not limited to dog in front of handler facing away from handler, dog on left or right side of handler perpendicular either facing toward or away from handler, or behind handler facing away from handler. Between the handler's legs is not considered an alternative position.

Dog moves to center position and then moves backward away from handler a minimum of 4 feet. Dog should remain straight and in line with the handler. Dog then remains stationary while handler returns to dog and takes up position previous to transition to center. This is a change of direction sign.

Dog moves to center position and then moves backward from center position away from handler a minimum of 4 feet. Handler cues dog to perform a behavior of handler's choosing. Props may not be used at this sign. Dog then returns to position prior to moving into center and on approach to the sign.

Handler steps back with opposite leg from dog. Dog moves backward, thru handler's far leg pausing before performing the next backward move thru the handler's opposite leg. X3 indicates the number of times the dog passes thru. For large dogs handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size. This is a change of side sign.

Dog and handler perform a 180-degree pivot in either direction with dog in behind position. The handler's feet are the pivot point. See definition of pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Dog and handler perform a 360-degree pivot in either direction with dog in behind position. The handler's feet are the pivot point. See definition of pivot in the glossary section of the rules and guidelines.

Dog moves in a backward circle around handler a minimum of 2 times, while handler turns in the opposite direction a minimum of 1 time.

From center position dog turns away from the handler and backs thru the handler's legs into behind position. For large dogs, handler may lift their foot or leg to accommodate dog's size. Handler then either returns the dog to position on approach to the sign, or performs next married station behavior.