Ideally each dog should work independent of the bracemate, (if your dog is merely tailing the other dog try to work your dog a little away from the other dog. They will often chase each other at the beginning of the course. So may be a good place for a little handling but don't panic.)

The dog must establish a solid enough point for a duration that allows the handler to get within normal gunshot range at a minimum and the judge to see the point. Flash points don't qualify. (figure on a slow count to 3 or 5 as a general rule of thumb for a minimal point.) Once the dog establishes point if the dog has not already put up the bird, the handler must move forward, produce the bird (make it fly) and fire a starter pistol. Producing the bird allows the judges to see that the dog was not false pointing and the shot tests gun shyness. The handler may caution the dog with "whoa" once it establishes point but is not allowed to command the dog into a point. The intensity of the point at this level has more latitude. Flagging or a slightly softer stance would not be graded with the same harshness it would at the advanced levels. Breaking and chasing is not penalized at this level either There shouldn't be a great need to do a lot of handling at this level as long as the dog is biddable enough not to run off to the next state. More often then not a lot of handling (by a clueless handler) could pull an inexperienced dog off a bird or inhibit the independence the judges want to see. At this level it is an aptitude test not an obedience/skills test, however if you are good at reading your dog in the field and don't suffer from a major case of nerves handling could help you too. Commands are permissible, praising your dog is permissible. The course in JH will be 15 to 20 minutes.

The difference (aside from being longer) is that if the dog encounters a bird in the back field a blank pistol will be fired but in the bird field designated gunners will have live ammunition and shoot the bird for the retrieve. Retrieving and shooting are only done in the bird field. However if there is no safe shot when the bird flies in the bird field the handler should fire a blank.

A senior dog should exhibit more mature hunting skills by working with a speed and breadth and thoroughness and efficiency suitable to the terrain and cover, be able to work with more skill in complex wind and scent conditions to pinpoint birds with greater precision, show a greater degree and range of steadiness and exhibit more staunchness, style and intensity on point (this is most likely to develop through experience and time in the field and on birds.)

(below are the obedience elements.)
The dog must now be steady until the shot but may break at the shot. Should not chase after birds. Must stop to flush on a wild flushed bird by itself or by command. Must honor another dog on point and must retrieve to the handler but does not have to retrieve to hand. Scores will be affected if the handler walks toward the retrieving dog. The dog must also be more responsive to the handler's commands.

There will be more situations, constructs where response to commands will have an impact.

In SH other than when the dog is establishing point a "whoa" is allowed once the dog has acknowledged a situation where a stop expected; like the wild flush or honoring another dog. A dog that has clearly demonstrated that he is honoring can be held by the collar by the handler while the other dog and handler finish the bird work. What constitutes "acknowledged" can be subjective but generally by exhibiting a pause, slowdown, break in gait or brief stop in the first place. The speed with which the handler recognizes the "break" and says "whoa" effectively but not prematurely can be a significant factor in accomplishing a qualification at times.

So it is also a major leap for the handler! You must be much more attentive to and understand the events around you. You will be required to really read and handle your dog in specific situations.

The basic elements are the same as in senior but the dog must show further refinement and exceptional hunting and bird finding ability as well as consistent stamina through the course.

In Masters the dog must stop to flush, no cautions allowed; must be steady (a quiet caution during steadiness would be permissable) and must maintain steadiness through the fall and until sent for the retrieve or moved on to continue the hunt. The nature of the steadiness must also be greater = forward motion that might be interpreted as anything other than a shift to mark the bird is potentially disqualifying. This is true not only when the dog is on point but also while honoring or stopped to flush - until commanded to hunt on. At SH level giving commands is, in a sense, more permissible than at MH level. At the MH level the dog should have considerable hunting/bird finding skill, work within an appropriate range, be responsive to given commands and basically not need as much "handling" in the field, and really if you are out hunting you don't want to be spooking birds with a lot of noise. Using commands in the field at this level is allowed but the necessity should be minimal.