Certifying an Adventure Dog: The Process

• An eligible canine.
o Open to any breed possessing the athletic ability to complete tasking.
o The candidate should be close to fully mature in size (14 months and older) with excellent health and physically sound.


• Basic obedience skills should be thoroughly mastered. References include:
o Sporting Dog and Retriever Training, The Wildrose Way
o Wildrose Way Basic Retriever Training DVD
o Attend Wildrose Way one-day workshop, "Starting Your Dog the Wildrose Way"


• Purchase the Adventure Dog packet at wildrosetradingcompany.com. Packet includes:
o Program instruction
o Diploma
o Award definitions
o Listing of achievable merits (14) and required subskills for each merit. Participants may select from any of the 14 merit in any order.


• Certification awards and merits will be awarded as achieved.
o Trail Rated - 5 merits completed (TR)
o Adventure Dog Certified - 9 merits completed (ADC)
o Master Trekker - 12 to 14 merits completed (MT)


• Each merit will contain varying skills that must be completed to earn the merit.
o Merits include Hiking, Watercraft, All-Terrain Vehicle, Motor Vehicle Travel, Tracking, Camping, Mountain Biking, Fishing, Snow Trekking, Hunting Sports/Retrieving, Trail Assistance, Public Access, Equestrian, and Aircraft.
o As subskills are mastered, videos may be forwarded through various formats validating the achievements and the skills mastered to qualify for the corresponding merits.
o Merits will be forwarded as achieved to be noted on the dog's Adventure Dog Diploma.
o Once accumulated merits reach the number necessary to receive an award, the appropriate award patch and seal for the diploma will be forwarded by Wildrose.


• Attend a workshop! We strongly suggest all participants and their K-9 companion attend a Wildrose Adventure Dog Workshop to experience firsthand training "The Wildrose Way." See uklabs.com/events for scheduling.