OBEDIENCE
Dogs and handlers enter obedience trials to demonstrate their ability to complete various tasks amongst a high level of distractions. Competitive obedience offers a very stylized manner of skill in performing on lead and off lead control. Dogs are judged on different skills at different levels. Beginning levels evaluate heeling skills, the recall and stationary exercises. Intermediate levels expand to evaluate retrieving and jumping. Advanced levels include off lead heeling and control at a distance without verbal commands, directed retrieving, scent discrimination and directed jumping.
Obedience training is the foundation upon which all canine activities are based, whether conformation, agility, tracking, search and rescue, service dogs, fieldwork, etc. When AKC Obedience competition began, the concept behind obedience training was to develop a very close working relationship between human beings and dogs, while demonstrating the usefulness and enthusiasm of dogs.
Obedience Trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. Dogs and handlers compete against a standard of perfection, rather than against each other. To earn a qualifying score (leg), the team must score more than 50% of the possible points in each exercise, and earn a total score of at least 170 out of a possible 200 points. An obedience title is earned with 3 qualifying scores (legs).
Novice: The first level, Novice, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog (CD) title. The title actually describes what is expected of your dog: demonstrating the skills required of a good canine companion. The dog will have to heel both on and off leash at different speeds, come when called, stay (still and quietly!) with a group of other dogs when told, and stand for a simple physical exam.
Open: The second level, Open, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. He must do many of the same exercises as in Novice, but off-leash and for longer periods. Additionally, there are jumping and retrieving tasks.
Utility: The final level results in a Utility Dog (UD) title. These are the cream of the crop. In addition to more difficult exercises, the dog also must perform scent discrimination tasks.
OTCH and UDX: The best of the best can go on for more titles. Utility Dogs that place in Open B or Utility B classes earn points toward an Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) title. Utility Dogs that continue to compete and earn legs in both Open B and Utility B at 10 shows receive the title Utility Dog Excellent (UDX).
Obedience Titles
CD - Companion Dog
CDX - Companion Dog Excellent
UD - Utility Dog
UDX - Utility Dog Excellent
OTCH - Obedience Trial Champion
Obedience training is the foundation upon which all canine activities are based, whether conformation, agility, tracking, search and rescue, service dogs, fieldwork, etc. When AKC Obedience competition began, the concept behind obedience training was to develop a very close working relationship between human beings and dogs, while demonstrating the usefulness and enthusiasm of dogs.
Obedience Trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. Dogs and handlers compete against a standard of perfection, rather than against each other. To earn a qualifying score (leg), the team must score more than 50% of the possible points in each exercise, and earn a total score of at least 170 out of a possible 200 points. An obedience title is earned with 3 qualifying scores (legs).
Novice: The first level, Novice, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog (CD) title. The title actually describes what is expected of your dog: demonstrating the skills required of a good canine companion. The dog will have to heel both on and off leash at different speeds, come when called, stay (still and quietly!) with a group of other dogs when told, and stand for a simple physical exam.
Open: The second level, Open, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. He must do many of the same exercises as in Novice, but off-leash and for longer periods. Additionally, there are jumping and retrieving tasks.
Utility: The final level results in a Utility Dog (UD) title. These are the cream of the crop. In addition to more difficult exercises, the dog also must perform scent discrimination tasks.
OTCH and UDX: The best of the best can go on for more titles. Utility Dogs that place in Open B or Utility B classes earn points toward an Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) title. Utility Dogs that continue to compete and earn legs in both Open B and Utility B at 10 shows receive the title Utility Dog Excellent (UDX).
Obedience Titles
CD - Companion Dog
CDX - Companion Dog Excellent
UD - Utility Dog
UDX - Utility Dog Excellent
OTCH - Obedience Trial Champion