Obedience Page: Max (Pamela Helen's Max of Bethel UD) and Mary Ann

Some information on OPEN and UTILITY Obedience

Max and I would like to introduce you to the sport of obedience. The Open class shall be for dogs that have won a CD title. The exercises are

1. Heel Free and Figure Eight
2. Drop on Recall
3. Retrieve on Flat
4. Retrieve over High Jump
5. Broad Jump
6. Long Sit
7. Long Down

The Utility class shall be for dogs that have won the CDX Title. The exercises are

1. Signal exercise
2. Scent Discrimination
Article No. 1
3. Scent Discrimination
Article No. 2
4. Directed Retrieve
5. Moving Stand and Examination
6. Directed Jumping

Here are some pictures that illustrate some of these exercises.

The dog is on the left and off lead. The principal features of this exercise are the ability of dog and handler to work as a team while heeling.

On the order of the judge, the handler will signal the dog to Drop, to Sit and to Come.

The principal features of the scent discrimination are the selection of the handler's articles from among the other articles by scent alone.

The principal features of the exercise are that the dog stay until directed, go directly to the designated glove, and retrieve it promptly.

The principal features of the exercise are that the dog heel, stand and stay on command by the moving handler, accept the examination by the judge, and return to heel position.

The principal features of this exercise are that the dog go out over the jump, pick up the dumbbell and promptly return with it over the jump.

The principal features of this exercise are that the dog stay where left until directed to jump and that the dog clear the jump on a single command.

The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog retrieve promptly.

The principal features of this exercise are the dog's prompt response to Drop, and the dog's remaining in the Down position until called.

A final score of 170 or more points is a qualifying score. Thanks to the OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS 1997 for the explanations. There are no words to describe the fun and excitement of a real dog show. The thrill of getting a qualifying green ribbon can't be beat.

AKC Obedience Titles

Companion Dog (C.D.) NOVICE: Heel on Leash & Figure Eight, Stand for Examination, Heel Free, Recall, Long Sit (1 minute) and Long Down (3 minutes).

Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) OPEN: Heel Free & Fiqure Eight, Drop on Recall, Retrieve on Flat, Retrieve over High Jump, Broad Jump, Long Sit (3 minutes) and Long Down (5minutes). Requires a C.D. title.

Utility Dog (U.D.) UTILITY: Signal Exercise, Scent Discrimination, Directed Retrieve, Moving Stand and Examination, Directed Jumping. Requires a CDX title.

Utility Dog Excellent (UDX): For dogs with U.D. titles. Must earn qualifying scores in both Open B and Utility B at 10 Trials.

Obedience Trial champion (OTCh.): for dogs with UD titles. Must win 100 points and a first place in Utility and Open, plus a third first place win in either class, under three different judges.

Tracking Titles: The AKC offers three Tracking Tests. Unlike Obedience competition, the dog need only pass one time to earn a Tracking title.

Tracking Dog (T.D.), is the entry level test, while Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) and the Variable Surface Tracking Test (VST) are increasingly difficult Tests.

Dogs that earn all three titles are awarded the "Champion Tracker" (C.T.) title.

Thanks for visiting my web page. Dont forget to visit my other web pages for more pictures.