Proficiency Tests

The WCFO, INC Proficiency Tests have been created to give canine freestylers an opportunity to continually train and test to achieve a standard of excellence in the development of their abilities no matter where they are or whenever they are ready. The tests are designed by the Advisory Board of WCFO, INC and invited freestyle, obedience, dance and skating experts. Each may be judged by a member of the test designing team or a top freestyler from one’s own country who has achieved all the available test levels to date.

Due to the differences in acceptable heelwork positions in different countries, tests will be judged according to the hell position demonstrated within the first 15 seconds of the routine.

The tests may be taken live when being given at an event or by video submitted to WCFO, INC at any time during the year.

Everyone is eligible to take the Bronze Bar level tests. You do not have to be a member of WCFO, INC to take the tests.

Wherever possible, the tests are designed to give options to the consideration of the size of the dog.

You must achieve a passing score to continue to the next level, Bronze Medal. Upon achievement of the Bronze level, a team may proceed to the Silver and then Gold levels.

If tests are conducted at an event, the judge will speak with you and give a critique and recommendations immediately after they finish scoring your test. You will know the results of your test immediately.

If tests are conducted via video, your test will be sent to the named judge for scoring and comments. Upon completion, it will be sent to WCFO, INC for recording and you will be notified by phone, email or post of the results.

The judge’s comments along with a way to reach him/her will be included.

Titles and awards will be granted. Bar pin for Bar tests and Medal for Medal tests with color Certificates of Achievement for all levels.

Each awarded team will be certified with a recording number. WCFO, INC will track titling of each dog and handler. Titles apply to actual team taking the test. You cannot take Bronze Bar with one dog and go on to take Bronze Medal with another dog. It is the TEAM to which the title is granted that has the right to proceed to the next level. Tests are issued to a single dog and single handler and are for the life of the dog/handler. Tests are not transferable for any reason.

Proficiency test will be conducted on a pass or retry basis. If you are not successful you may re-apply to take each test whenever you like. You may take a test as many times as you prefer. These tests were not designed for a team to accumulate titles, but to be worked for diligently and earned against a standard of perfection as designated by the governing body of WCFO, INC. These tests represent the standards the organization sets for itself at certain levels of expertise.

Canine freestyle teams must apply for the test by email or snail mail by sending a written request that includes the name of the test, whether live or video, Heelwork-To-Music or Musical Freestyle, the name and breed of the dog and payment in full by check or credit card (Mastercard or Visa) in US$ to WCFO. Cost is the same for tests worldwide: $62.50 per test. Proficiency tests have no expiration and the testee can try as many times as they like to pass the test. The cost for one person to apply to take the same proficiency test for more than one personally owned dog will be as follows. First dog $62.50 Second dog $40.00 Third dog $30 Application must be made for same test for all dogs at the same time.

Tests may be taken at different times, either live or by video. For example: first dog may take the test live in April, second dog may take the test live in September, third dog may take the test by video in August.

There is no time limit, once an application has been accepted, for taking a video test.

Titles will be granted and announced at the time of passing the test by each dog. Certificates, bars and medals will be sent as each dogs have completed their tests and passed.

To request a test(s) contact Anna Schloff.

WCFO Bronze Bar/Medal Proficiency Tests

BRONZE BAR/MEDAL PROFICIENCY TEST- LIVE OR VIDEO

Packet Contents: Full description of test rules and regulations.

Exact list of moves required for test with diagrams where possible. Video of moves performed properly for passing score (BAR TEST ONLY). You may use any music you prefer, application with titling number, judges scoring sheet, name of judge if available for your test, video screen sheet for video tests.
Witness affidavit (for video tests only).

Requirements of Tests

The routine must be performed in an area a minimum of 30 feet by 40 feet.The length of the routine may not be longer than 1 and 1/2 minutes with a plus or minus 15 seconds.Video tests may not be spliced. Only one routine may appear on your video. EDITED VIDEOS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Witness affidavit must accompany test.You must apply for live testing at least 21 days before the test date to the hosting entity.You may complete the five moves designated for each division in any order that you prefer.You may take Bronze Bar/Medal Heelwork-To-Music and Bronze Bar/Medal Musical Freestyle tests at the same time if applications have been approved, test numbers assigned and all tests are paid in full. You may take any combination of tests together as long as you have passed the first test in the sequences. For example you may take the Bronze Medal Musical Freestyle test if you and your dog have passed your Bronze Bar Musical Freestyle test. You may not take a Bronze Medal Heelwork-To-Music test unless you have passed the HTM Bar, even though you may have a Bronze Medal in Musical Freestyle.Test information is confidential and may not be shared. Your test scores and results and judges comments are confidential and will only be given to the testee. You have the right to take your test live in private with just the judge or you may request that the audience can be present.
There is no limit as to how long from your application to your actual taking of the test in the instance of video tests. Each freestyle team makes its own decision as to its readiness to take the proficiency test.

Special Judging Information

Judges may view video tests as many times as they wish.
Judges may offer a retake on a live test at the end of the scheduled day’s tests if they wish and the testee agrees.

WCFO Bronze Bar Heelwork-To-Music Test

This test follows the exact guideline rules of WCFO, INC for Heelwork-To-Music
The required moves are,

Right about turn.
Left about turn.
Backing.
Speed changes.
Circle in heel position.

All moves are explained in detail in the test along with the amount of times each move must be executed. Full judging and scoring information is also listed. Test must be taken in costume. Test will be performed on leash.

WCFO Bronze Bar Musical Freestyle Test

This test follows the exact guideline rules of WCFO, INC for Musical Freestyle
The required moves are,

Left circle.
Right circle.
Circles in heel position (spin).
Backing.
Weaving.
Crossovers in front.

5a is an alternate move for teams for whom weaving is physically impossible. For example if you had a Great Dane.

WCFO Bronze Medal Heelwork-To-Music Test

This test follows the exact guideline rules of WCFO, INC for Heelwork-To-Music

Right about/left about turns moving forward
Heeling on right moving forward
Backing up in heel position
Side pass in front position
Simultaneous spins by dog and handler

WCFO Bronze Medal Musical Freestyle Test

This test follows the exact guideline rules of WCFO, INC for Musical Freestyle

Forward weaving sequence
1. Forward weaving sequence for dogs unable to go under handler’s leg. The dog will be allowed to crossover in front or behind, or a combination of both instead of going under the handler’s legs.
Simultaneous spins by dog and handler.
Backing up in heel position.
Side pass in heel position
Single jump
1. 1. 1. 1. Figure 8 for dogs who cannot jump.