Expert Level Title (PKD-E)
The Expert Level title is available to any dog who has successfully earned an Intermediate Level title. This is an extremely challenging title that requires both physical and mental confidence and strength as well as a handler with a well-developed parkour eye and perfected spotting skills. It often requires many years of dedicated parkour training to obtain an Expert Level title.
The cost to submit an Expert Level Title for review is $25 USD. You will pay upon submitting your form for review.
Please make sure to read ALL the rules and title guidelines before submitting a title. The Frequently Asked Questions page will also be a helpful resource. Titles will be reviewed once the submission form and payment is received. Applicants will receive an email within a month concerning the status of their submitted titles. Expert and Championship titles may take longer to review due to the complexity of these titles. No refunds will be given for title submissions that do not meet our criteria, but you are welcome to resubmit for titles as many times as necessary (payment will be required each time). Certificates are e-mailed out quarterly.
Remember, your video MUST include the full performance of the obstacle including getting onto and off of the obstacle!
The links on each behavior name will take you to a YouTube example of that expected behavior.
For a printer-friendly checklist of all the behaviors, click here.
Number of behaviors required to be completed outside with naturally occurring (not placed for the purpose of the title) obstacles: THIRTEEN (all but TWO)
4 feet on: Demonstrate 4 feet on 3 different obstacles. Each obstacle must meet a different one of the following requirements:
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Move with a high degree of unpredictable movement
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The dog must jump onto an obstacle twice shoulder height , max 42” (1.1m) and half dogs length
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Obstacle must have a 6ft (1.8m) drop on one side.
Dog approaches an obstacle and places all four feet in no particular order onto the obstacle in a safe manner and stands for 2 seconds.
Under: Dog must pass under an obstacle that is at least as long as the dog and of a height that will force the dog to crawl, such as a bench or board. Must pass all the way through the obstacle, cannot turn around or go around the obstacle.
Balance: Dog must walk with all four feet on one obstacle that is at least twice dogs shoulder height or a maximum of 50” (1.3m) and narrower than the dog's shoulder width. Must continue on the obstacle in its entirety (to at least three times longer than the dog), without stepping off of the obstacle. Anytime during the performance, dog must twice turn 180 degrees without stepping off of the obstacle and show good balance throughout.
Balance: Dog must place all four feet on an obstacle that measure on all sides either half of the dogs shoulder width or twice the width of one paw, whatever is wider and at least elbow height and balance on the obstacle for at least 5 seconds.
Back up: Dog must be able to back onto an obstacle of at least shoulder height. All four feet must back up onto the obstacle. Dog should not sit down in the process.
In: Dog must walk into or hop into an obstacle that is has four sides safely (such as a box or laundry basket) measuring less than one half the dogs length on all sides, and sides must be at least as high as the dog’s elbows. All four feet must be in the obstacle and remain there for at least 2 seconds.
Sends: Owner must stand at least 10 feet (3m) from a raised obstacle and be able to indicate to the dog to go to the obstacle on their own. The team must then wait for 5 seconds before the owner cues the dog to go to another raised obstacle at least 10 feet (3m) away from the first without returning to the handler first. Dogs must get all 4 feet on both obstacles.
Gap Jump: Dog must jump between two obstacles at least elbow height high that are at least as far apart as 1 ½ times the dogs body length. The dog should be jumping between level surfaces, or jumping up.
Tic Tacs: Dog must go up to a stable, flat obstacle tilted at a 90 degree angle to the ground. All 4 feet must come into contact with the obstacle. Each foot should not touch the object more than once, and contact time with the object should be minimal. This is sometimes known as a rebound. Dog must demonstrate tic tacs turning both directions. Training props cannot be used.
Stimulus Control: Demonstrate discrimination for 4 feet on, 2 feet on, under and around on the same object. Hand signals and/ or verbal cues are allowed. The video must show all behaviors in one unedited clip, but video may be trimmed at the beginning and end.
Send and Emergency Stop: Owner must cue a send to an obstacle from 10-15 feet (3-4.5m) away. Dog must get at least 2 feet on the object. Then the owner must cue a send to the same obstacle from 10-15 feet (3-4.5m) away, but before the dog reaches the obstacle, owner cues an emergency stop using any vocal cue. The stop should be a stationary behavior. Either stand, sit, or down are acceptable. Video should show the dog sending to the object the first time, and then the emergency stop the second time. Dogs must appear to be committed to the obstacle before the stop cue is given. Video should show both the send and the stop without editing, 1 minute time limit. Deaf Dog modification: Owner must cue a send to an obstacle from 10-15 feet (3-4.5m) away. Dog must get at least 2 feet on the object. Then the owner must leave the dog in a stay with the owner between the obstacle and the dog . Cue the dog to get on the obstacle, and then cue the dog to stop before the dog actually gets on the obstacle. At no point should the owner touch the dog.
7-10 obstacle sequence: Dog must perform parkour obstacles in succession, at least seven in a row. Any safe combination can be used. Video must clearly show that the obstacles are done in a row. No behavior should be repeated twice in a row, a separate obstacle must be used for each behavior. Obstacles used do not have to be listed above, and can be from any level. The sequence should have flow to it and the team should show no hesitations. 1 1/2 minute time limit.
Creativity: Find any obstacle and demonstrate seven different parkour behaviors with the same obstacle. The behaviors do not need to be specifically the ones outlined above. 1 1/2 minute time limit.