NHB Practical Exam

1. Letting the Dog Out of the Car
The dog waits calmly by the open door. The dog is leashed when being unloaded.

0 = The dog jumps out of the car on its own. The dog pulls on the leash.
0 = The dog jumps on the examiner and behaves aggressively.
1 = The dog waits only with physical help from the handler.
1 = The dog shows the desired behavior only with repeated commands.
2 = The dog waits, is leashed, and unloaded or lifted out. The dog does not bother the handler or the examiner.

2. Crossing a Street The dog is on a leash.
The dog must clearly wait at the curb. The handler ensures the street is clear (handler looks left-right away from the dog). The handler gives a command to start and crosses the street directly and briskly with the dog. The dog must clearly wait on a loose leash at the opposite curb (5 seconds).

0 = The dog is not on a leash.
0 = The dog tries to break free or does not wait.
0 = The handler does not ensure the street is clear.
1 = The dog is restless while waiting.
1 = The dog wants to cross the street slightly impetuously but can be corrected.
1.5 Position of dog in relation to handler
2 = The dog shows desired behavior, and the handler is proactive and guides the dog safely across the street.

3. Basic Commands, Walking off Leash: Heel, Sit, Down, Wait, Heel

The dog walks on a loose leash to the first marker, where the handler unleashes the dog. The dog stays off-leash with the handler and follows at "heel." The dog assumes the "sit" position and remains until the handler returns to the starting position. The dog stays off-leash with the handler and follows at "heel." The dog assumes the "down" position and remains until the handler returns to the starting position.

0 = The dog shows no cooperation in following the handler's commands.
0 = The dog permanently leaves the sit or down position.
1 = The dog briefly leaves the sit or down position but can be motivated to stay with help.
2 = The dog shows desired behavior.
Note: In this exercise, 1/4 points can be awarded if only parts of the exercise are correctly demonstrated.

4. Recalling the Dog Under Distraction (Social Competence Exercise)
The dog remains at the starting position. The dog goes immediately/directly to the handler. The dog shows no aggression or bothers the assistants.

0 = The dog does not come to the handler even after multiple commands.
0 = The dog shows aggressive behavior (growling) or massively bothers the assistants (jumping).
1 = The dog comes to the handler after multiple calls.
1 = The dog shows interest in the people but without bothering them.
2 = The dog shows desired behavior, comes quickly to the handler without paying attention to the assistants.

5. Passing a Pedestrian with a Stroller (Social Competence Exercise)
The dog stays with the handler without pulling on the leash. The dog shows no aggression and does not growl. The dog does not bother the person or the stroller by jumping or sniffing.

0 = The dog is very insecure, shows strong displacement behaviors, and is hard to control.
0 = The dog shows aggression.
1 = The dog pulls towards the stroller and shows interest but remains calm.
2 = The dog shows neutral behavior towards the pedestrian and stroller.

6. Putting on an Emergency/Basket Muzzle
(6.1) The handler can correctly demonstrate putting on an emergency muzzle on a model dog.
(6.2) The handler correctly puts a basket muzzle on their dog.
(6.2) The dog allows the muzzle to be put on without difficulty and remains calm.
Note: In this exercise, 1/4 points can be awarded.

0 = The handler cannot demonstrate the emergency muzzle on the model dog.
0 = The dog is restless and does not allow the basket muzzle to be put on.
0 = The dog only allows the muzzle to be put on with difficulty or constantly tries to remove it. The dog cannot be calmed.
1 = The dog is not familiar with the muzzle, finds it uncomfortable but tolerates it.
2 = The handler correctly demonstrates the emergency muzzle. The dog walks without resistance against the muzzle or the handler.

7. Passing Another Dog (Social Competence Exercise)
The dog does not pull on the leash when approaching. The dog shows no aggression and high excitement towards the other dog team.

0 = The dog pulls on the leash and is hard to control.
0 = The dog does not stay in the basic position. The short conversation is not possible due to the dog's behavior and/or shows aggressive behavior.
0 = The dog is extremely restless and/or barks.
1 = The dog wants to make contact with the person and/or dog but is manageable.
2 = The dog shows desired behavior, remains calm during the greeting and in the basic position. The dog shows no aggression towards the other dog.

8. Handling: Correct Lifting/Fixation; Showing Ears, Teeth, Paws; Checking Chip and/or Tattoo; Lowering the Dog from the Table.

The dog is correctly lifted onto the table. The dog remains calm. The dog stays calm on the table. The dog allows examination without any problems. The dog shows no aggression. The dog stays calm in a chosen position. The dog allows the numbers to be read without problems. The specified chip or tattoo number is correct. The dog is correctly lowered from the table. The dog waits with the handler without pulling on the leash. The dog shows no aggression towards the judge and handler.
Note: In this exercise, 1/4 points can be awarded.

0 = The dog is restless, is not on the leash, and the lifting and fixation are not correctly shown during lifting and/or lowering.
0 = The dog wants to leave the table, does not allow the showing of teeth, ears, and paws. The dog does not allow the chip check.
1 = The dog shows slight insecurity but can be calmed and examined.
2 = The dog shows desired behavior, remains neutral during all manipulations. The handler shows correct lifting and lowering (fixation).

9. Manipulation on the Dog / Paw Bandage
The handler knows how to apply the bandage. The handler chooses the right materials. The handler pads the right places. The bandage is applied over two joints. The dog remains calm during the application and removal of the bandage in a side position.

0 = The handler cannot apply a paw bandage.
0 = The dog does not allow the paw to be bandaged.
0 = The dog does not allow itself to be brought into the desired position (side position) and does not allow touching.
1 = The dog only allows the paw to be bandaged with difficulty or tries to remove the bandage. The handler calms the dog and thereby conveys security.
2 = The dog allows the bandaging, the handler shows a usable bandage.

10. Bite Inhibition / Playing
The dog takes the chew toy calmly. The handler can immediately take the chew toy from the dog's mouth on the judge's instruction. The dog shows no aggressive behavior towards the handler and judge.
Or:
The handler plays with his own object with the dog. On the examiner's instruction, the handler, in conjunction with a command, "drop," "give," etc., takes the toy. The dog must not bite again. The dog obeys the command and shows no aggressive behavior towards the handler and judge.

0 = The dog grabs the object early and does not give it back.
0 = The dog bites again.
1 = The dog only gives the object back with difficulty (double command, etc.).
2 = The dog shows desired behavior.

If the dog does not know how to play, it may be given a chew (i.e. pig's ear) or a bowl of wet cat food and must allow the handler to take it away without difficulty or signs of aggression.

11. Passing a Jogger/Cyclist, Recall (Social Competence Exercise)
The dog can be recalled or brought into a position (e.g., down) without problems. The dog can be leashed without problems BEFORE the jogger reaches the dog. The handler can pass by the jogger with their leashed dog, which shows neither aggressive behavior nor barks, growls, or jumps on the jogger. After passing, the dog is released and should not run after the jogger.

0 = The dog does not respond to recall.
0 = The dog massively bothers the test person. The dog shows aggressive, insecure, or boisterous behavior.
1 = The handler needs several commands.
1 = The dog slightly bothers the test person but can be recalled.
1 = The dog shows interest in the helper person but leaves them undisturbed.
2 = The dog shows desired behavior.

12. Social Competence in Public Traffic (Social Competence Exercise)
The dog remains calmly lying when the second guest with a dog enters the restaurant. The dog leaves its position but immediately returns to it after a command. The dog shows no aggression towards the guest or their dog.

0 = The dog leaves the place and pulls on the leash.
0 = The dog bothers the staff.
0 = The dog cannot be calmed after the appearance of the second dog, does not lie down, and shows aggression.
1 = The dog wants to make contact with persons and/or the dog but takes the command to lie down.
1 = The dog is extremely restless and/or barks, but can be calmed and lies down again.
2 = The dog shows desired behavior, remains calmly under the table. The team leaves the restaurant calmly.

13. Overall Impression of Human-Dog Team
This point should assess the body language of the handler and dog as well as the bond (trust). This point evaluates the overall picture that the team presents on the test day. The team can be described in one or two sentences. At the discretion of the examiners, the overall score can be rounded up or down to an even number based on this evaluation. Good bond, clear leadership, and appropriate handling are positively valued. Poor bond, unclear leadership, and violence in any form are negatively valued.
Note: This evaluation serves exclusively to round up or down by a maximum of 1 point.

What does the exam cost? General recommendations CHF 120.

If I fail the first time an I retake the exam? Yes, but you must re-register for another day and pay the exam fee again.

Are any aids (such as long lines, reward toys, food rewards) allowed during an NHB practical exam? Generally, no aids are allowed during an NHB practical exam. If aids (such as long lines or food) are used during an NHB practical exam, it will result in a deduction of points in the respective tasks.

Is it allowed in the play exercise of an NHB practical exam for the handler to play with the dog themselves instead of using a toy? Yes. The exercise is only meant to check whether the handler can play with the dog and calm them down after playing.

Is a handler allowed to participate in an NHB practical exam with a dog that wears a muzzle throughout the entire exam? This is not explicitly prohibited in the examination regulations of the VKAS, but such aids should be taken into account when evaluating the exam (in the scoring) of the dog-handler team. AND the handler must be able to remove and replace the muzzle for Exercise 6B.

Are dogs allowed to be presented with different leashes during the NHB practical exam? Yes, but the handler's handling must be proficient.

Are dogs allowed to be presented with a collar and/or harness during the NHB practical exam? Yes either a flat collar or a harness is acceptable. (Note: some Cantons have stricter rules re: restricted breeds. At the moment in Basel-Stadt and Baselland all dogs are tested according to the same standards.)

Can the grooming task be performed on the ground for very large and heavy dogs during the NHB practical exam? Yes, but the handler must show that the dog can be properly restrained for at least 10 seconds at the beginning and end of the exercise. Also, it helps all veterinarians in their daily work if these dogs can also be lifted/transported onto a table.

Are children allowed to participate in an NHB practical exam? Children 16 years and older can take the NHB Theory and Practical Exams. For the practical exam, they must be able to control the dog that is being tested and they or their parents must have the required liability insurance.

What exactly does "aggressive or dangerous behavior" mean, which leads to the termination of an NHB practical exam? Aggressive or dangerous behavior refers to an excessive display of aggression, which the handler cannot lead the dog out of into a calm state. Any damage caused by a tested dog to a person or another animal during an NHB practical exam is also considered aggressive or dangerous behavior.

Who judges the exam? The exams are judged independently by a Fachexpert (such as your NHB dog trainer) and an external Verbandsexpert (The expert cannot belong to the same cynology association as the Fachexpert). The two judges will compare their scores and come to an agreement at the end of the exam.

With which training organization can exam participants file an appeal? With the training organization of the NHB professional who organized the respective NHB practical exam. If an NHB professional completed their NHB training at the SC Academy, their examinees (dog owners) can file an appeal against an exam result with the SC Academy.

National Dog Owner's Certification NHB - Practical Exam and Scoring Criteria

FAQs about the Practical Exam