The tracking phase tests not only the dog's scenting ability, but also its mental soundness and physical endurance. In the tracking phase, a track layer walks across a field, dropping several small articles along the way. The length, complexity, number of articles, and age of the track varies for each title.

The obedience phase is done in a large field, with the dogs working in pairs. One dog is placed in a down position on the side of the field and its handler leaves it while the other dog works in the field. Obedience is judged on the dog's accuracy and attitude.

In the protection phase, the judge’s assistant, called the "helper", helps him or her test the dog's courage to protect himself and his handler and its ability to be controlled while doing so. The helper wears a heavily padded sleeve on one arm. There are several blinds, placed where the helper can hide on the field. The dog is directed to search the blinds for the helper.