Novice Level Title (PKD-N)
The Novice Level title is available to all dogs over the age of 18 months of age. This title level is the prerequisite level for most of the other titles offered and is a great place to start exploring with parkour. If your dog is young, new to dog sports, or needs to gain some confidence, we recommend starting with the Training Level Title.
The cost to submit a Novice 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.
You must complete ALL of the following behaviors/obstacles.
Number of the following behaviors required to be completed outside with naturally occurring (not placed for the purpose of the title) obstacles: THREE
4 feet on: Dog approaches obstacle and places all four feet on in a safe manner and remains on the obstacle for at least 5 seconds. Dogs must demonstrate the skill on three different obstacles. One of these obstacle performances must include an at least shoulder height jump onto the obstacle. The 4 feet on videos may be edited together to make one video. Be sure that we can see the dog getting on and off each obstacle.
2 Feet On: Dog approaches obstacle and places two front feet feet onto the obstacle and remains on the obstacle for at least 5 seconds. The object must be above shoulder height.
Moving Obstacle: Obstacle must move when pressure is put on it from dog’s paws. Dog must place at least two feet on the obstacle and react/adjust appropriately to any movement the obstacle does without getting off of said obstacle.
Under: Dog must pass under an obstacle that is less than shoulder height. Dog must pass all the way through the obstacle, cannot turn around or go around the obstacle.
Through: Two obstacles must be less than twice the dog’s shoulder width apart from each other, the dog must pass between these obstacles.
In: Dog must walk or hop into an obstacle that is has four sides measuring less than the dog’s length (nose to base of tail) . All four feet must be in the obstacle for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Back up: Dog must back up 3 steps on flat ground.
Over: Dog must jump over one obstacle that is taller than dog’s elbow height. Feet should not touch the object.
Around: Dog starts near handler, goes around an obstacle at least 3ft (1m) away and makes at least a 180 degree turn back towards handler. Dog must demonstrate around in both directions.
Balance: Dog must walk with all four feet on one obstacle that is dog’s shoulder width or less, at least 3 times longer than the dog and at least elbow height. The dog must continue on the obstacle in its entirety without stepping off of the obstacle.
Wait on obstacle: Dog must put four feet on a raised obstacle and demonstrate a wait/stay of at least 10 seconds. This may be done in a down, sit, or stand.
3 obstacle sequence: Dog must perform any parkour behaviors in succession, at least three 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.
Creativity: Find an obstacle and demonstrate three different parkour behaviors that can be safely done with this obstacle. The behaviors do not need to be specifically the ones outlined above. These specifically need to be parkour behaviors and not just tricks.