Shiloh Breed Ambassador

The Shiloh Breed Ambassador Tests were developed in 2022 to allow more titling opportunities for the Shiloh community. By completing the Shiloh Breed Ambassador Testing levels, breeders and owners alike have the ability to prove their Shilohs are temperamentally sound and well-educated citizens. Further assuring we push as a community to motivate/support representatives of the Shiloh  Shepherd breed!

PUPPY Test (3-10 months)

Puppy Test

  • SPA title to be awarded after registered name
  • Must hold current ISSDC membership
  • For Shilohs between 2-10 months of age
  • Leash must be 6’ (only flat collars, martingales or slip leads allowed)
  • Treats or reward toy allowed for steps 6 and 7 only

Test Steps:

  1. Initial Approach – Tester approaches puppy and handler. Puppy shouldn’t show hesitation with tester approach. Tester will assess handler/puppy team for properly fitted equipment
    and note condition of the puppy’s coat and body condition score.
  2. Tester Greeting – Puppy happily greets tester with appropriate behavior (no jumping, nipping, fear; owner may place their puppy in a sit)
  3. Startle Response – Tester drops heavy folder on ground within 3 feet of puppy when not looking. Puppy can startle but must recover quickly to pass portion.
  4. Handler Evaluation – Handler must show tester puppy’s bite and perform a physical evaluation of puppy (run hands over head, down sides, under chest and belly, down all four limbs and be able to handle puppy’s feet). After showing puppy’s tolerance with touch, handler brushes puppy’s back and hindquarters with slicker.
  5. Tester Evaluation – Tester performs same steps as handler in step 4. Puppy must tolerate evaluation without hesitation, nipping or attempting to flee.
  6. Recall/Name Recognition – Handler allows dog to relax and become distracted, once puppy is distracted owner asks puppy to come to demonstrate recall and knowledge of name. Puppy must come on first attempt.
  7. Obedience – Handler asks puppy to perform a sit and has puppy stay for 5 seconds. Handler then asks puppy to down and stay for 5 seconds.
  8. Dog Distraction – Handler walks puppy past calm dog within 10 ft. Puppy must not show excessive interest.
  9. Novel Distraction – Handler calmly walks puppy past person sitting in foldable chair. When puppy is approximately 5 ft away, person stands up and folds chair, then tosses chair on ground as puppy walks away.

Scoring:

The puppy test will be a culmination of 25 points in total. The handler and puppy team must amass a score of 20/25 to pass (or 80%).

ADULT Test (11+ months)

Adult Test

  • SBA title to be awarded after registered name
  • Must hold current ISSDC membership
  • For Shilohs at least 11 months of age
  • Leash must be 6’ (only flat collars, martingales or slip leads allowed)
  • Treats are NOT allowed for any portion of this test

Test Steps:

  1. Initial Approach – Tester approaches dog and handler and shakes owner’s hand. Dog should not show hesitation with tester approach. Tester will assess handler/dog team for properly fitted equipment and note condition of the dog’s coat and body condition.
  2. Tester Greeting – Tester greets dog with petting and verbal acknowledgement. Dog demonstrates proper greeting manners (no jumping, barking, nipping, evasion). Handler may place the dog in a sit or allow dog to stand naturally.
  3. Physical Evaluation – Tester runs hands over dog’s body. Dog must tolerate being physically evaluated with no fear, hesitation or apprehension. Owner may ask dog to sit or stand and can hold collar gently.
  4. Obedience – Handler places dog in a sit, then down. While dog holds command, Handler walks to end of leash and walks 360* circle around dog while dog maintains command. 
  5. Recall – While dog is still in down command from step 4, Handler walks to end of lead in front of dog. Handler then turns to face dog and calls dog to come, then sit in front of handler.
  6. Dog Distractions – Two dogs chosen by Tester are positioned 10 feet apart. Handler must loose leash walk (or heel) dog between two distraction dogs and complete a figure 8 around both distraction dogs within a 5 foot radius.
  7. Obedience w/ Dog Distraction – Handler walks dog back between two distraction dogs and places dog in a down. Handler then walks away to end of lead while dog holds down command, faces dog and holds for 30 seconds. Handler then returns to dog and loose leash walks away.
  8. Food Distraction – Handler walks dog past a bowl of food on the ground in close proximity. Handler is allowed one “leave it” command if dog shows interest.
  9. Obedience w/ Food/Toy Distraction – Handler turns around and walks back to bowl of food with ball in bowl, then commands dog to sit within 3 foot of bowl. Once dog is in sit, owner walks to end of leash and counts to 15 seconds, then returns to dog and walks off.
  10. Separation Tolerance – Handler walks to Tester, hands leash to Tester (may command dog to sit), and walks to retrieve bowl of food off ground. Handler then walks back, gives bowl of food to Tester and walks off with dog. Dog must not pull towards owner, show excessive vocalizations or anxiety.
  11. Traffic Tolerance – With Tester trailing behind, Handler walks dog in loose leash or heel through moderate mixed crowd. Dog must not pull, bark, or show excessive interest in crowd.

The adult test will be a culmination of 30 points in total. The handler and dog team must amass a score of 24/30 to pass (or 80%).

Shiloh Breed Ambassador Testing (Puppies & Adults)
Shilohs’ Name, Call Name, Owner

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