06/12/2025
🐶 WANNA TO COME PLAY FETCH WITH US!!
🐾🐾 TEXAS DOG SPORT ADVENTURES IS HOSTING AN ALL-BREED AKC FETCH TESTING.
WE WILL BE TESTING 3 LEVELS OF FETCH.
NOVICE, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED.
COME JOIN US. PLAY FETCH WITH YOUR PUP AND EARN SOME TITLES TOO.🐾🐾
INDOORS AT NRG WORLD SERIES OF DOG SHOWS. WE WILL BE IN EXHIBIT HALL A.
WHAT IS FETCH ALL ABOUT?
AKC now has a new sport called fetch.
BYOB- bring your own ball or bumper?
We will have two judges available for testing. Each test will cost $35. You need two tests to qualify and move up to the next level of fetch.
We will be AWARDING QUALIFYING
RIBBONS and NEW TITLE ROSETTES for each level.
THERE IS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF SPACE AVAILABLE FOR EACH TEST.
Mark your calendars and save the date for Thursday July 17, 2025 at
NRG Center, 8400 Fannin, Houston, Texas.
Start time at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Here is an On-line Fill-in entry form:
You can find the form "AKC FETCH TESTS ENTRY FORM - at:
Houston World Series Dog Show @ NRG - Thursday, 17, 2025 - Houston, Texas" at: https://form.jotform.com/250619298934166
PREMIUM LIST:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ajhFGJHD/
AKC Fetch is designed for all breeds.
AKC Fetch is a pass-fail noncompetitive test. The four levels of titles (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Retriever) assess the ability of the dog to retrieve. In the Advanced and Retriever levels, the dog must respond correctly to signals. There is also a memory component in Advanced and Retriever because a retrieving bumper or ball is dropped (or thrown) behind a blind where it cannot be seen.
For each of the four titles, the dog must pass the test twice under two different approved AKC Fetch judges.
• AKC Fetch tests will be listed on the AKC Events Calendar at akc.org
Why Participate in AKC Fetch?
AKC Fetch provides a form of exercise for dogs and their owners. Dogs learn new skills and many handlers will learn to teach a skill (i.e., retrieving) they have not previously taught.
AKC Fetch titles are fun to earn, and they can be used as a required AKC title for earning the Gold level of AKC FIT DOG. For info on AKC FIT DOG, see: https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dogprogram/akc-fit-dog/
Title (requirements for) The AKC Fetch titles are designated by the suffixes
FTN (Novice),
FTI (Intermediate),
FTA (Advanced), and
FTR (Retriever).
The dog must pass the test two times at AKC licensed or member club events, or at a CGC Evaluator’s
(who is a Fetch judge) test.
Age of dogs
Dogs must be at least 6 months of age to participate in the AKC Fetch test.
Aggression (see Disqualification)
Bi***es in season
Bi***es in season may be tested as the last dog(s) at the end of the day. Bi***es in season should not be
waiting in the area with other dogs. Bi***es in season should wear panties to prevent soiling the test area.
Clickers
While we recognize that clickers may be valuable training tools, they are not permitted in the AKC Fetch test.
Collars, harnesses, leashes
Dogs may wear slip collars, buckle collars, and Martingales in the AKC Fetch test. They may not wear prong collars, e-collars, head collars, muzzles, or body harnesses.
Leashes should be 4 ft. to 6 ft. long and should be made of fabric or leather.
Dogs with disabilities may participate in AKC Fetch.
Examples include hearing impairments (in which case the dog may be directed by hand signals), or dogs with a missing limb.
Disqualifications
If a dog exhibits aggressive behavior (e.g., biting) during the AKC Fetch test, the dog should be dismissed immediately. If the aggression occurs on the Fetch course, the judge will complete the “DQ by Judge” official AKC form. If the aggression occurs outside the Fetch course, a “DQ by Committee” form should be completed.
Food rewards
While we recognize that food can be a very valuable tool when teaching a skill, food as a reward or lure is not permitted in the AKC Fetch test. Further, handlers may not use “imaginary food” where they attempt to guide the dog with an empty hand (as though they were holding food) to get it into position.
Refusals on the send
If the dog refuses to retrieve when given the cue by the handler, it may restart the following number of times:
Novice – 2 restarts
Intermediate – 2 restarts
Advanced – 1 restart
Retriever – 1 restart
Signals
The dog must respond to signals. Signals may include verbal cues (“Fetch it!”) hand signals, whistles, or
combination.
Size of test area.
The AKC Fetch test is given outdoors. The test area should be at least 100 x 100 ft. if all 4 levels of Fetch are to be administered (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Retriever) but it may be larger. The club is permitted to offer only the lower levels of the AKC Fetch test. If only lower levels are offered, the size of the test area must be the size required for the largest level of test offered plus 20 ft.
Novice only = for a 30 ft. retrieve + 20 ft. = a 50 x 50 ft. test area is required
Intermediate = for a 50 ft. retrieve + 20 ft. = a 70 x 70 ft. test area is required
Advanced = for a 70 ft. retrieve + 20 ft. = a 90 x 90 ft. test area is required
Retriever = for an 80 ft. retrieve + 20 ft. = a 100 x 100 ft. test area is required
As can be seen above, if a club chose to only offer Novice testing, they could use a
50 x 50 ft. test area. If the club chose to only offer Novice and Intermediate, the
Fetch test area would need to be a minimum of 70 x 70 ft.
Soiling the test area
Dogs who urinate or defecate on the AKC Fetch test course do not qualify.
The Retrieving Objects
• In the Novice and Intermediate tests, the retrieving object may be a tennis ball or equivalent, a retrieving bumper, or a handler’s choice toy (e.g., KONG Wubbaä).
• Bumpers (or other retrieving objects) may not be scented or filled with food.
• Retrieving objects may not be launched from a mechanical apparatus such as a ball gun or an automatic ball throwing device.
• In the Advanced and Retriever tests, the retrieving object may be a bumper or tennis ball or equivalent.
• The retrieving objects may be provided by the handler. The Evaluator/club should also have a ball and bumpers in case a handler did not bring theirs.
NOVICE LEVEL
In the Novice Fetch test, the handler will throw an object—a ball, bumper, or toy, and the dog will retrieve from at least 30-ft.
• The ball (or bumper or toy) will be thrown between the obstacles.
• The handler (or helper) will throw 3 singles (in an order determined by the handler):
• 1 to the left, 1 to the center, and 1 to the right as shown by the dotted
lines in the diagram.
• The dog will be able to see the ball as it goes between the obstacles.
• The Novice course has 4 obstacles. If boxes are used, they must be at least 14 inches tall. One “fun” obstacle may be used such as a lawn chair or lawn ornament.
• The dog must pass a total of two times at two events under two different judges to earn the title. Example: one pass on Saturday, one pass on Sunday to earn the title.
Procedure:
• The handler/dog will walk up to the start line with the dog on leash. The leash will be removed before the handler throws the first ball, bumper, etc.
• In Novice, the handler may hold the collar until the ball is thrown and lands.
• The ball must land before the handler sends the dog.
• Dog fetches, returns, and must come within 3-ft. (2 steps) of handler. The handler may take the ball.
• There should not be an extended game of tug when the dog returns the ball.
• If the dog starts and then stops, the handler may re-send the dog 2 times.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
In the Intermediate Fetch test, the handler will throw an object—a ball, bumper, or toy, and the dog will retrieve from at least 50-ft.
• The ball (or bumper or toy) will be thrown between the obstacles.
• The handler (or helper) will throw 4 singles (in any order determined by the handler).
• Retrieves are 1 each to the center, right and left, then one more to the right or left as shown by the dotted lines in the diagram.
• The dog will be able to see the ball as it goes between the obstacles.
• The Intermediate course has 8 obstacles. If boxes are used, they must be at least 14 inches tall. A maximum of two “fun” obstacles may be used such as lawn chairs, or lawn ornaments.
• The dog must pass a total of two times at two events under two different judges to earn the title. Example: one pass on Saturday, one pass on Sunday to earn the title.
Procedure:
• The handler/dog will walk up to the start line with the dog on leash. The leash will be removed before the handler throws the first ball, bumper, etc.
• In Intermediate, the handler may hold the collar with 1 finger until the ball is thrown and lands. The ball must land before the handler sends the dog.
• Dog fetches, returns, and must come within 2-ft. (1 step) of handler. The handler may take the ball. There should not be an extended game of tug when the dog returns the ball.
• If the dog starts and then stops, the handler may resend the dog 2 times.
ADVANCED LEVEL
In the Advanced Fetch test, the dog will retrieve bumpers (or balls) from at least 70-ft.
• The bumpers will be dropped behind the 3 blinds by an event helper.
The handler may request to throw the bumpers rather than have them dropped.
• The dog must do 2 singles and 2 doubles (in an order to be determined by the handler). § 2 Singles: 1 to the center, and 1 to the right or left as shown by the dotted lines in the diagram. These will go behind the blinds.
• 2 Doubles: behind the blinds. Bumpers for Doubles must be 2 different directions (e.g., 1 center, 1 left). They cannot be the same direction.
• The Advanced course has 3 blinds at least 24 inches tall and 10 ft. to 12 ft. long.
Blinds may be no taller than 30 inches. See photos of blinds in the module, “Setting Up AKC Fetch Courses.”
• The dog must pass a total of two times at two events under two different judges to earn the title. Example: one pass on Saturday, one on Sunday to earn the title.
Procedure:
• The handler/dog will walk up to the start line with the dog on leash. The leash will be removed before the helper begins to drop bumpers. • In Advanced, the handler may not hold the collar. The bumpers must land before the handler sends the dog.
• Dog fetches, returns, and must come close enough for the handler to take the bumper (or the dog delivers to hand).
• If the dog starts and then stops, the handler may resend the dog 1 time.
RETRIEVER LEVEL
In the Retriever Fetch test, the dog will retrieve bumpers (or balls) from at least 80-ft.
• The bumpers will be dropped behind the 3 blinds by an event helper.
The handler may request to throw the bumpers rather than have them dropped.
• The dog must do 2 doubles and 1 triple (in an order determined by the handler). § 2 Doubles: To the center, right or left behind the blinds. There must be 2 balls thrown in 2 different directions (e.g., they cannot both be thrown to the left).
• 1 Triple: Must be 1 center, 1 right, 1 left (behind the blind).
• The Retriever course has 3 blinds at least 24 inches tall and 10 ft. to 12 ft. long.
Blinds may not be taller than 30 inches. See photos of blinds in the module, “Setting Up AKC Fetch Courses.”
• The dog must pass a total of two times at two events under two different judges to earn the title. Example: one pass on Saturday, one on Sunday to earn the title.
Procedure:
• The handler/dog will walk up to the start line with the dog on leash. The leash will be removed before the helper begins to drop bumpers. • In the Retriever test, the handler may not hold the collar. The bumpers must land before the handler sends the dog.
• Dog fetches, returns, and must come close enough for the handler to take the bumper (or the dog delivers to hand).
• If the dog starts and then stops, the handler may resend the dog.
PREMIUM LIST:
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Payments can be made to my Paypal account link:
https://www.paypal.me/AmLureCourseRacing
Venmo:
-Wildman-AmLureCourse
ZELLE: Cynthia Wildman-832-671-3793
**Please select friends and family when making the payment and also reference your name, dogs name and event.
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FACEBOOK PAGE for additional information, Events and updates.
Here is a link to the on-line filling entry form. Just fill it out and it will send me a notification:
You can also visit the AKC website under the performance calendar, Fastcat
The Club hosting or
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