Dog Obedience as a Sport – Things You Should Know

Basically, there are three levels when it comes to obedience competition.  At each level, the handler-dog team must perform at a specific level three times.  When a team first starts, they are award a certain number of points. Points are deducted for each error that is made during the level of competition.  The gravity of the mistake dictates the number of points that are deducted.  A team must get a qualifying score from each judge in order to earn a title for obedience.

The first level of obedience competition is the novice level.  It is the beginning level.  When a dog earns scores that qualify at this level, they earn the “companion dog” title.  During this novice level, the handler-dog team must perform a heeling pattern while on a leash lead.  Then they have to do a figure eight heeling pattern.  They must also stand at attention while judges examine them and then perform various heeling patterns while off the leash. From there, a group of dogs enter the ring to perform exercises together.  Dogs are judged by how they perform and act in the midst of the other dogs.

The second level of obedience competition is the open level.  If your dog garners three additional qualifying scores in this round, he will earn the “companion dog excellent” title or CDX.  The handler-dog team must start with a heeling pattern while unleashed.  Then they must perform, again unleashed, a figure eight pattern, perform a series of tasks called a recall and also retrieve an object over a series of obstacles like a high jump.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) has rules in obedience competitions that dogs must jump one and a quarter times the height of their own shoulders.  There are also group exercises with other dogs again, with handlers on the sidelines out of eyesight, but they are more involved.

The final level in obedience competition is called the utility level.  The title earned at this level is that of “utility dog” or UD.  The difficulty is more pronounced and handlers must direct the dogs through various commands and procedures entirely by hand signals. No vocalization is allowed.  At this level, the competition has a scent test that dogs must pass as well in addition to demonstrating retrieval skills. Then, one of the judges will instruct the handler to lead the dog through a series of tasks – something they won’t know ahead of time to prepare for.  Finally, a sequence of jumps must be executed to pass the level.

There are higher levels of obedience competition.  The overall purpose of obedience training itself is to co-exist peacefully with your dog.  Not only will he be happier, but you will too. Dogs are faithful companions; they deserve to investment of your time and effort into obedience training.