CCC Level 2 – General overview
General overview
Congratulations on arriving at Level 2! By passing Level 1 you have demonstrated your commitment to helping your dog become comfortable and secure with the cooperative care exercises. Level 2 adds more challenge and complexity to each exercise. In this level you will continue a step by step progression moving towards a total mastery of the 10 essential husbandry exercises in Level 3. Each exercise builds on the Level 1 behaviors that you have already established.
Location: Any familiar location, such as the house, yard or regular training area.
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.
Towel or pillow for chin rest to lap.
Empty gelatin capsules, size 4 recommended.
Clippers, grinder, or file for nails.
Cotton balls or ear wipes.
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:
Exercise 2-1: Chin Rest
Double w/ muzzle wrap; in lap to pillow or towel; 5 seconds each
At this level the chin rest requires you to demonstrate two variations. The first is the double chin rest with muzzle wrap (dog’s head is fully in both palms and you lift your thumbs up to rest over the top of the muzzle). For dogs with tiny or giant muzzles, you may lift your thumbs up to rest along the sides of your dog’s mouth.
The second is to a pillow or towel in your lap. This one can be initiated by cue or with a lure, but without any physical manipulation. For small dogs, you may choose to sit on the floor and do a chin rest to your lap or leg there.
Exercise 2-1: Chin Rest
Double w/ muzzle wrap; in lap to pillow or towel; 5 seconds each
At this level the chin rest requires you to demonstrate two variations. The first is the double chin rest with muzzle wrap (dog’s head is fully in both palms and you lift your thumbs up to rest over the top of the muzzle). For dogs with tiny or giant muzzles, you may lift your thumbs up to rest along the sides of your dog’s mouth.
The second is to a pillow or towel in your lap. This one can be initiated by cue or with a lure, but without any physical manipulation. For small dogs, you may choose to sit on the floor and do a chin rest to your lap or leg there.
Exercise 2-2: Lie flat on side with hip and shoulder down
One side only, either lured, cued, or manipulated; hold for 5 seconds.
The dog lies on one side with both hip and shoulder down for 5 seconds. The position can be lured, cued, or the dog can be gently placed in position.
Exercise 2-2: Lie flat on side with hip and shoulder down
One side only, either lured, cued, or manipulated; hold for 5 seconds.
The dog lies on one side with both hip and shoulder down for 5 seconds. The position can be lured, cued, or the dog can be gently placed in position.
Exercise 2-3: Restraint
Calmly tolerate physical restraint for 5 seconds in down, on side position.
Once the dog is in the down position on one side (either cued or placed), the handler will gently restrain by placing hands lightly on the hip and shoulder. Hold for a count of 5. The dog should remain calm and quiet. The head does not need to remain down during this exercise.
Exercise 2-3: Restraint
Calmly tolerate physical restraint for 5 seconds in down, on side position.
Once the dog is in the down position on one side (either cued or placed), the handler will gently restrain by placing hands lightly on the hip and shoulder. Hold for a count of 5. The dog should remain calm and quiet. The head does not need to remain down during this exercise.
Exercise 2-4: Muzzle
Muzzle is put on and buckled for 5 seconds; dog remains calm & relaxed.
The muzzle is presented and the dog places its head into the muzzle OR the handler places the muzzle on the dog. The handler fastens the buckle. The dog remains calm and relaxed while wearing the muzzle for a count of 5. Handler may use a chin rest to gently steady the dog’s head if desired.
Exercise 2-4: Muzzle
Muzzle is put on and buckled for 5 seconds; dog remains calm & relaxed.
The muzzle is presented and the dog places its head into the muzzle OR the handler places the muzzle on the dog. The handler fastens the buckle. The dog remains calm and relaxed while wearing the muzzle for a count of 5. Handler may use a chin rest to gently steady the dog’s head if desired.
Exercise 2-5: Feet/Nails
Lift each foot, isolate a toe, then touch lightly with tool (clippers, grinder, or file) and hold light pressure for a count of three.
Dogs may be in any comfortable position. Each foot is lifted and a toe is isolated on each foot. The handler then touches the nail lightly with either clippers, a nail grinder (not running), or a nail file, for a count of three. Successful completion of this exercise with 3 of the 4 feet is required.
Exercise 2-5: Feet/Nails
Lift each foot, isolate a toe, then touch lightly with tool (clippers, grinder, or file) and hold light pressure for a count of three.
Dogs may be in any comfortable position. Each foot is lifted and a toe is isolated on each foot. The handler then touches the nail lightly with either clippers, a nail grinder (not running), or a nail file, for a count of three. Successful completion of this exercise with 3 of the 4 feet is required.
Exercise 2-6: Mouth/Teeth
Handler can insert fingers, run over all teeth, and open dog’s mouth without resistance.
Handler gently inserts fingers into the dog’s mouth and runs them over the outside of the teeth. Handler then gently opens the dog’s mouth for a visual inspection of the tongue.
Exercise 2-6: Mouth/Teeth
Handler can insert fingers, run over all teeth, and open dog’s mouth without resistance.
Handler gently inserts fingers into the dog’s mouth and runs them over the outside of the teeth. Handler then gently opens the dog’s mouth for a visual inspection of the tongue.
Exercise 2-7: Medication - Swallow empty capsule
The dog will swallow an empty gelatin capsule when offered.
A very small amount of food such as baby food, peanut butter, or cheese may be used to coat no more than ½ of the capsule. Food may be given immediately after the capsule is swallowed.
Exercise 2-7: Medication - Swallow empty capsule
The dog will swallow an empty gelatin capsule when offered.
A very small amount of food such as baby food, peanut butter, or cheese may be used to coat no more than ½ of the capsule. Food may be given immediately after the capsule is swallowed.
Exercise 2-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates 3 seconds of simulated blood draw from front or back leg.
The handler will perform a simulated blood draw from either the front of a front leg OR the back of a back leg. This will include restraint of the leg and a fake “poke” by placing pressure on a single spot with an empty syringe or syringe substitute. The pressure from the poke should last for at least 3 seconds.
Exercise 2-8: Injection / Blood Draw
Tolerates 3 seconds of simulated blood draw from front or back leg.
The handler will perform a simulated blood draw from either the front of a front leg OR the back of a back leg. This will include restraint of the leg and a fake “poke” by placing pressure on a single spot with an empty syringe or syringe substitute. The pressure from the poke should last for at least 3 seconds.
Exercise 2-9: Eyes
Tolerate head restraint or hold chin rest for eye exam with equipment.
Dog holds its head still (handler may use any variation of a chin rest or other light restraint) and tolerates a 3 second visual eye exam for each eye with an ophthalmoscope or a substitute piece of equipment.
Exercise 2-9: Eyes
Tolerate head restraint or hold chin rest for eye exam with equipment.
Dog holds its head still (handler may use any variation of a chin rest or other light restraint) and tolerates a 3 second visual eye exam for each eye with an ophthalmoscope or a substitute piece of equipment.
Exercise 2-10: Ears
Dog holds head still for visual inspection of each ear while handler touches inside each ear with a dry cotton ball.
Dog holds its head still (chin rest to a pillow or towel in the handler’s lap) while the handler physically manipulates and holds each ear with one hand. A dry cotton ball will be used to lightly touch the inside of each ear. If the dog raises his head, he may be cued to retake the chin rest, or the handler may wait for the dog to again offer the position before proceeding.
Exercise 2-10: Ears
Dog holds head still for visual inspection of each ear while handler touches inside each ear with a dry cotton ball.
Dog holds its head still (chin rest to a pillow or towel in the handler’s lap) while the handler physically manipulates and holds each ear with one hand. A dry cotton ball will be used to lightly touch the inside of each ear. If the dog raises his head, he may be cued to retake the chin rest, or the handler may wait for the dog to again offer the position before proceeding.
Additional Resources
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(For convenience only. Please rely on the website exercise pages for details, updates, examples and judging criteria.)