Earning A Protection Dog Certificate As A First Time Handler

Stepping onto the trial field for your Protection Dog Certificate (PDC) is more than just starting your PSA journey.

 

It’s an opportunity to showcase your dogs clarity, drive and confidence under pressure.

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As a new handler and Cheerio being my first dog and first working dog, preparation wasn't just about the commands and behaviors needed to pass. I lacked confidence in the PDC pattern and routine.

 

In an attempt to remedy this, I would put Cheerio up after training sessions and walk the routine by myself.

 

I'd practice the patterns, my footwork, right turns, left turns and about turns. Envisioning what we'd look like on trial day when it was our chance to lay it all out there. 

 

I'm pretty sure the people at the parks and in my neighborhood thought I was a bit off.

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I also needed to read the rules, several times, to begin sorting out where Cheerio might lose points and where we could probably hold onto them. 

 

From points analysis, to our engagement heeling, to Cheerio's drive in bitework, we tried to make every piece of our training intentional and purposeful.

 

This focus paired with the guidance from our INCREDIBLE team of coaches and friends, ultimately helped us achieve our goal and Cheerio earn his Protection Sport Association PDC.