CCC Level 1 – General overview
General overview
Level 1 is designed to encourage you to lay a strong foundation for the 10 essential cooperative care exercises. We strongly believe that you cannot build the more complex and challenging behaviors without having a solid foundation at the early stages of each exercise. Level 1 is an introductory stage for each exercise. The skills are introduced and demonstrated at this point in the process as a way to check for comfort and understanding before you move ahead. Successfully completing the exercises in Level 1 should give you and your dog confidence as you move forward and add more requirements and challenges.
Location: Any familiar location, such as the house, yard or regular training area. All exercises off leash.
Equipment: Any muzzle that allows the dog to open his mouth in order to comfortably take a treat and pant is acceptable for these exercises. Baskerville brand is a good reasonably priced option.
Empty syringe.
A child’s doctor or veterinarian kit will have lots of options for substitute tools.
Cues: Any cues may be used in this level.
Reinforcement: There is no limit on the use of external reinforcers (food or toy) for each exercise. However, in exercises with a defined duration requirement, you should not reinforce during the duration interval.
Maximum video length: 6 minutes
Sample Video:
Additional samples of Level 1 passing videos
Sample Videos:
Exercise 1-1: Chin Rest
Single + double, 5 seconds each.
The dog performs a single hand chin rest with his muzzle voluntarily held in the palm of one hand for a duration of 5 seconds. The dog is then released from this position.
The dog then performs a double chin rest with his muzzle voluntarily held in the palms of both hands for a duration of 5 seconds. The exercise ends at the completion of this part of the exercise.
Duration is counted while the dog’s head is steady and still in the handler’s hands.
Exercise 1-1: Chin Rest
Single + double, 5 seconds each.
The dog performs a single hand chin rest with his muzzle voluntarily held in the palm of one hand for a duration of 5 seconds. The dog is then released from this position.
The dog then performs a double chin rest with his muzzle voluntarily held in the palms of both hands for a duration of 5 seconds. The exercise ends at the completion of this part of the exercise.
Duration is counted while the dog’s head is steady and still in the handler’s hands.
Exercise 1-2: Lie down then shift weight to one hip for 5 seconds
The dog lies down and then shifts weight to one hip.
This position can be lured, cued, or the dog can be gently placed in position. The position is held for 5 seconds. Time begins once the dog is in the down on one hip position.
Exercise 1-2: Lie down then shift weight to one hip for 5 seconds
The dog lies down and then shifts weight to one hip. This position can be lured, cued, or the dog can be gently placed in position. The position is held for 5 seconds. Time begins once the dog is in the down on one hip position.
Exercise 1-3: Restraint
Calmly tolerate physical restraint for 5 seconds, standing position.
With the dog in a standing position, the handler wraps arms around the dog and gently restrains for a count of 5. The dog may be on the floor or on a raised surface such as a grooming table.
Exercise 1-3: Restraint
Calmly tolerate physical restraint for 5 seconds, standing position.
With the dog in a standing position, the handler wraps arms around the dog and gently restrains for a count of 5. The dog may be on the floor or on a raised surface such as a grooming table.
Exercise 1-4: Muzzle
Voluntarily move head into muzzle and hold for 5 seconds.
Handler presents muzzle to dog. Dog moves head into muzzle or handler places muzzle on dog and holds it there for a count of 5. A chin rest may be used to steady the head if desired.
Exercise 1-4: Muzzle
Voluntarily move head into muzzle and hold for 5 seconds.
Handler presents muzzle to dog. Dog moves head into muzzle or handler places muzzle on dog and holds it there for a count of 5. A chin rest may be used to steady the head if desired.
Exercise 1-5: Feet/Nails
Lift and hold each foot, isolate and touch one nail on each foot.
The dog may be in any comfortable position for this exercise. Handler lifts each foot, holds it gently, puts light pressure on the foot to spread the toes, and touches one nail on each foot with the other hand. The handler then places the foot back in a neutral position. This is repeated with each foot. Successful completion of this exercise with 3 of the 4 feet is required.
Exercise 1-5: Feet/Nails
Lift and hold each foot, isolate and touch one nail on each foot.
The dog may be in any comfortable position for this exercise. Handler lifts each foot, holds it gently, puts light pressure on the foot to spread the toes, and touches one nail on each foot with the other hand. The handler then places the foot back in a neutral position. This is repeated with each foot. Successful completion of this exercise with 3 of the 4 feet is required.
Exercise 1-6: Mouth/Teeth
Can lift up lips on both sides to examine teeth; can insert fingers in mouth and rub lightly over outside of teeth.
Handler lifts the lips on each side of the muzzle, one at a time, to view the teeth. Handler then inserts a finger into the dog’s mouth, on the outside of the teeth, and runs it over them. Repeat with the other side.
Exercise 1-6: Mouth/Teeth
Can lift up lips on both sides to examine teeth; can insert fingers in mouth and rub lightly over outside of teeth.
Handler lifts the lips on each side of the muzzle, one at a time, to view the teeth. Handler then inserts a finger into the dog’s mouth, on the outside of the teeth, and runs it over them. Repeat with the other side.
Exercise 1-7: Medication
Dog will swallow “medicine” in a syringe.
Handler half fills the syringe with any food or liquid desired. The contents are then delivered directly into the dog’s mouth and the dog willingly swallows it.
Exercise 1-7: Medication
Dog will swallow “medicine” in a syringe.
Handler half fills the syringe with any food or liquid desired. The contents are then delivered directly into the dog’s mouth and the dog willingly swallows it.
Exercise 1-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates fake injection between shoulders or in hip with tented skin.
Handler pulls up (tents) skin either on the back between the dog’s shoulder blades or over one hip. Handler then performs a fake injection with an empty syringe or syringe substitute. The pressure from the injection should last for at least 2 seconds.
Exercise 1-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates fake injection between shoulders or in hip with tented skin.
Handler pulls up (tents) skin either on the back between the dog’s shoulder blades or over one hip. Handler then performs a fake injection with an empty syringe or syringe substitute. The pressure from the injection should last for at least 2 seconds.
Exercise 1-9: Eyes
Dog holds head still and tolerates visual eye inspection.
Handler encourages the dog to hold its head still (may use a chin rest or light restraint) and gazes intently into each eye for 3 seconds.
Exercise 1-9: Eyes
Dog holds head still and tolerates visual eye inspection.
Handler encourages the dog to hold its head still (may use a chin rest or light restraint) and gazes intently into each eye for 3 seconds.
Exercise 1-10: Ears
Dog holds head still for physical manipulation and visual inspection of each ear.
Handler encourages the dog to hold its head still (may use chin rest or light restraint), lifts or touches each ear, and looks inside for 3 seconds.
Exercise 1-10: Ears
Dog holds head still for physical manipulation and visual inspection of each ear.
Handler encourages the dog to hold its head still (may use chin rest or light restraint), lifts or touches each ear, and looks inside for 3 seconds.
Additional Resources
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(For convenience only. Please rely on the website exercise pages for details, updates, examples and judging criteria.)