I just got a PM wondering what the BH was...So I figured I would try to explain it.
The BH is the first test in Schutzhund. The dog has to be 15 months old to do it. It is basically a temperament/obedience test. They want to make sure that the dog is under control on and off leash, before you can move on to SchH I, II & III.
There is 2 dogs/handlers on the field at a time. Its a field about the size of a football field, maybe a little smaller. One dog is put in a "long down" to the side of the field, the handler has to remove the leash and walk away, and the dog has to stay there while the other dog is on the field doing the obedience portion. Ideally, the dog will keep their eyes on the handler. (Rommel however...thinks that he is a spectator..and likes to watch the other dog...who knows, maybe he will learn something...hopefully it will be something good
)
After the other dog is finished, they come and put their dog in a long down, and you start your obedience portion.
Here is the heeling diagram, all "halts" are automatic sits. Being that your dog must sit without a command to sit.
You do the whole routine, on leash. Then you heel through the crowd (4 people) bring your dog out of the crowd, take the leash off, and start over. First with the crowd...you heel through the crowd, then do the whole heeling diagram again, just without a leash.
After that, you go back to the basic position, to do the "out of motion" exercises. From the basic position (start position) you take 20 steps and while walking...you tell the dog to sit, he has to sit with no hesitation, as you continue walking...30 paces. You stop turn around, look at the dog, the judge gives you the signal, you go back to your dog...tell the dog to heel, go another 20 paces, then do the same thing, but you tell the dog to "down" again, the dog goes down with no hesitation while you continue walking, turn face the dog...recall the dog, the dog comes to the front position. The judge signals you, you give the heel command and the dog comes around to the heel position, and that is the "finish" You leash the dog....
Then...you just pray for mercy. The judge will give you a critique in front of god and everyone.
Then you do the traffic portion... (This part I copied from Big Sky Schutzhund Club Website...it varies from judge to judge)
The traffic portion of the test varies from one judge to the next, and each judge has their own method. The rulebook calls for the test to be conducted in a public traffic area, but also allows for the judge to conduct it at the trial field under simulated traffic conditions. Generally, the club will provide a bicycle with a horn or bell and a rider; a car and driver; a jogger; a tie-out post on which to tie the dog and a barrier such as a car or the corner of a building for the handler to hide behind.
The judge will direct the dog and handler to walk on a loose lead up and down a road with cars driving by, and bicyclists and joggers passing at a distance of 10 feet. however I have never gotten around to adding some of the many different things I've seen judges do. Dropping metal food pans on concrete behind the dog, 12 people crowding around the dog in a tight circle and staring silently...
The End. (I'm still nervous)
