The first step in obedience competition is the Novice Class. The dog must know basic obedience. The required exercises are: heeling on and off leash at the left side of the handler;a one minute group sit- stay; a three minute group down- stay; come to sit in front of the handler when called and a finish to heel position. The dog must also do a stand-stay, like the dog pictured below,and allow an examination by the judge.If your dog can do all exercises in distracting situations,it is ready to compete in the Novice Class. Each exercise has a point value. The dog and handler team starts with a total of 200 points and gets marked down according to their performance. At least half of the points for each exercise must be earned and a minimum total score of 170 or above to qualify. When you qualify this is called a "leg". Three "legs" must be earned under three different judges to earn the "CD", Companion Dog title, and go to the next class, Open.
Kimbertal's Mahogony Glory CD (Brighid) OPEN CLASS This class is the next step in obedience competition. The same basic exercises apply, but there is no stand-stay and all heeling done is off-leash. The sit-stay and down-stay are longer, three minutes and five minutes respectively, with the handler out of sight.Added features include:the necessity of the dog dropping to a down position on command during the recall;retrieval of a dumbbell on the flat and over a high jump; and negotiating a broad jump. Scoring is done as it is in Novice. Again, three "legs" must be earned under three different judges to earn the title "CDX", Companion Dog Excellent, and to allow you to move to the next class, Utility.
UTILITY CLASS This is most the advanced class in obedience competition. The dog performs all exercises off-leash. The dog must do a series of commands given by hand signals.There is a test for scent discrimination,and the directed retrieve of one of three indicated gloves. In addition, the dog must leave the handler on command to go to the end of the ring and turn to sit facing the handler. It must then negotiate one of two jumps indicated by signaling and return to the handler. Scoring is done as in Novice and Open, and you must have a qualifying score under three different judges to earn the "UD", Utility Dog title.
You can also earn a "UDX", Utility Dog Excellent, or "OTCH", Obedience Trial Champion title. I will discuss earning these titles later.
To view pictures of a dog doing the article exercise in utility click here
To view pictures of obedience jumps click here
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