Dogs who begin ZENFULdog Parkour Training at over 18 months can go straight to Novice Level while puppies under 18 months must begin at the Training Level.
The Training Level is still a good idea for every dog because a solid foundation is a great start to any new training endeavour. Every Parkour Level accomplished through ZENFULdog training classes is wrapped up with medals to acknowledge you and your dog’s accomplishment and skill level. Canine parkour levels start at the Training Level and progress all the way up to Championship Level.
Here are some of the parkour behaviours practiced at each level:
Training Level
4 Paws on
All four paws on an obstacle
(Obstacle height: carpel-pad/ ankle)
2 Paws On
Two front paws on an obstacle
(Obstacle height: carpel-pad/ ankle)
Under
Dog crouches down and passes under an obstacle
(Obstacle height: shorter than head height)
Through
Dog passes through two obstacles
(Obstacle placement: less than dog’s body-length apart)
In
Dog walks into or hops into an obstacle that has four sides
Balance
Dog balances across an obstacle
(Obstacle measurement: twice shoulder width—or narrower—and three times longer than dog)
Creativity
Dog parent chooses two different parkour behaviors that the dog can do using a single obstacle
Novice Level
4 Paws on
All four paws on obstacle—demonstrated on three different obstacles
(Obstacle height: shoulder height for hard surfaces, twice shoulder height for soft surfaces)
2 Paws On
Two front paws on obstacle
(Obstacle height: above shoulder height)
Moving Obstacle
Two paws on an obstacle that moves with pressure and requires the dog to react and adjust to the movement
Under
Dog passes under an obstacle
(Obstacle height: less than shoulder height)
Through
Dog passes between two obstacles
(Obstacle placement: dog’s shoulder-width apart)
In
Dog walks or hops into an obstacle that has four sides
(Obstacle size: less than the dog’s length)
Back up
Dog backs up three steps on flat ground
Over
Dog jumps over one obstacle
(Obstacle size: taller than dog’s elbow height)
Around
Dog goes around an obstacle and can make a 180-degree return in both directions
(Obstacle placement: at least one metre away)
Balance
Dog walks with all four paws on one obstacle
(Obstacle size: as wide as dog’s shoulder width, at least three times longer than the dog and at least elbow height)
Wait on obstacle
Dog puts four paws on a raised obstacle and demonstrates a wait/stay in a down, sit, or stand position
3 obstacle sequence
Dog performs at least three parkour behaviors in a row
Creativity
Dog parent chooses three different parkour behaviors that the dog can do using a single obstacle
Intermediate Level
4 Paws on
Four paws on for three different obstacles
Each obstacle must meet a different one of the following requirements:
Must move
Dog jumps onto an obstacle that is 1 1/2 times shoulder height or 1.1 meters—whichever is less
Must not be longer than the dog in any direction
2 Paws On Pivot
Dog places two front paws on an object while the back paws pivot 360 degrees around the object in both directions with parent’s help or on their own
(Obstacle height: at least stopper height)
Under
Dog crawls under an obstacle—such as a bench or board
Balance
Dog walks with all four paws on one obstacle and completes a 180-degree turn without stepping off
(Obstacle size: at least elbow height, half dog’s shoulder width or twice the width of one paw—whatever is wider, and at least three times longer than the dog)
Stimulus Control
Dog differentiates between the cue to get up onto an obstacle and the cue to go under an obstacle on the same obstacle
In
Dog walks into or hops into an obstacle that has four sides
(Obstacle size: less than the dog’s length on all sides and sides as high as the dog’s shoulders)
Over
Dog jumps over one obstacle and lands on a different type of surface
(Obstacle size: at least elbow height)
Around
Dog goes around at least three different obstacles and makes a 180-degree turn around each
(Obstacle placement: at least 1.5 metres away)
Send
Dog parent stands at least 1.5 metres from a raised obstacle and can successfully indicate to the dog to go to the obstacle on their own
Tic Tacs
Dog goes up to a stable, flat obstacle tilted at 45 degrees or higher and performs a tight turn
All four paws must touch the obstacle
Each paw should not touch the object more than twice (preferably just once)
Contact time should be minimal
This behaviour should be performed in both directions (known as a rebound)
Back up
Dog backs onto an obstacle
(Obstacle height: at least hock height)
Gap Jump
Dog jumps between two obstacles—between level surfaces or jumping up
(Obstacle placement: at least dog’s body length apart)
5 obstacle sequence
Dog performs at least five parkour obstacles in a row with separate obstacles
Creativity
Dog parent chooses five different parkour behaviors that the dog can do using a single obstacle
Expert Level
4 Paws on
Four paws on three different obstacles
Each obstacle must meet a different one of the following requirements:
Moves with a high degree of unpredictable movement
Dog jumps onto an obstacle twice their shoulder height—maximum 1.1 metres—and half their length
Obstacle has a 1.8 metre drop on one side
Under
Dog passes under an obstacle
(Obstacle measurement: at least as long as the dog and of a height that will force the dog to crawl)
Balance
Dog walks with all four paws on one obstacle in its entirety and turns 180 degrees twice without stepping off
(Obstacle measurement: at least three times longer than the dog, at least twice the dog’s shoulder height—or a maximum of 1.3 metres—and narrower than the dog's shoulder width)
Balance
Dog places all four paws on an obstacle and balances for at least five seconds (Obstacle measurement: on all sides either half of the dog’s shoulder width or twice the width of one paw—whatever is wider—and at least elbow height)
Back up
Dog backs onto an obstacle with all four paws
(Obstacle height: at least shoulder height)
In
Dog walks into or hops into an obstacle that has four sides with all four paws
(Obstacle measurement: less than one-half of the dog’s length on all sides and sides must be at least as high as the dog’s elbows)
Send
Dog parent stands at least three metres from a raised obstacle and can successfully indicate to the dog to go to the obstacle on their own, wait five seconds and then successfully indicate to their dog to go to a second raised obstacle at least three metres from the first without returning to them (dog puts four paws on each obstacle)
Gap Jump
Dog jumps between two obstacles—between levels or jumping up
(Obstacle placement and measurement: at least elbow height high and at least as far apart as 1 ½ times the dog’s body length)
Tic Tacs
Dog goes up to a stable, flat obstacle tilted at a 90-degree angle to the ground
All four paws touch the obstacle but not more than once and contact time with the object should be minimal while they do a tic tac turn in both directions
Stimulus Control
Dog shows knowledge of the distinction between 4 Paws on, 2 Paws on, Under and Around on the same object based on hand signals and/or verbal cues
Send and Emergency Stop
Dog parent cues a ‘Send’ to an obstacle from 3 to 4.5 metres away and their dog gets at least two paws on the obstacle
The dog parent cues a ‘Send’ to the same obstacle from 3 to 4.5 metres away, but before the dog reaches the obstacle, the parent cues an emergency stop using any vocal cue
The stop is a stationary behavior: either stand, sit, or down
7-10 Obstacle Sequence
Dog performs at least seven parkour obstacles in a row
Creativity
Dog parent chooses seven different parkour behaviors that the dog can do using a single obstacle
Championship Level
Championship Level is a culmination of everything you and your dog have learned throughout ZENFULdog Parkour Training. To complete this level, you and your dog must show the following training competencies:
Your dog performing Parkour behaviours in 5 distinct environments such as concrete, mainly grass, woods, etc….
Your dog performing 5 different Parkour behaviours in each of these places.
Your dog performing 5 unique Parkour behaviours from any of the levels as one fluid behaviour (show creativity).
Showing 3 examples of spotting your dog (example: getting on an obstacle).
Demonstrating with your dog 3 times where you ask them to do a skill and they demonstrate contemplation and then refusal (not to show failure but rather a knowledge of their skill level).
At least one demonstration of your dog refusing a skill and then later accomplishing that same skill.
Your dog showing an example of their favourite Parkour behaviour on 3 different obstacles.
Your dog showing an example of your favourite Parkour behaviour on 3 different obstacles.
Showing how one Parkour behaviour has evolved from Training Level to now (through video recordings).
Showing your dog’s physical fitness and conditioning.
Showing how your relationship with your dog has evolved through Parkour Training.
Demonstrating the ways in which Parkour Training has changed your dog.
Demonstrating the ways in which you have changed since Parkour Training with your dog.
Sign up for Parkour training with ZENFULdog today, we look forward to seeing you and your future Parkour Champion there! And don’t forget to follow ZENFULdog Training on Facebook where you can stay connected to your like-minded dog-loving community every day.
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