Dog sports: Obedience

The world of competition dog sports is rich and varied, hosting fanciers from all
walks of life.  Much has changed in recent years, but I’ll try to detail it here.

My first love is obedience.

Above all, it should make for a well trained companion who is a joy to live with and appreciated by society.  My dogs are all trained and titled, and I believe in socialization and basic manners!

Phaser retrieving the right scent article in Utility

There are various flavors and venues, but traditional AKC Obedience entails three levels:

NOVICE

Exercises include heeling on and off leash in pattern and figure eight, standing for examination, coming front when called or signaled and returning to heel position, and sit and down stay at distance for 1 min. And 3 min., handler across the ring

OPEN

Exercises include heeling off leash in pattern and figure eight, dropping on recall, retrieving dumbbell in flat and over a high jump, a broad jump, and now a modified signal exercise and long stay in position, formerly a sit and down stay at distance for 3 min. And 5min., handler out of  the ring

UTILITY

Exercises include Off leash heeling and positions by signal, a moving stand for examination, a directed retrieve with gloves, a scent discrimination exercise with different material articles from a pile (leather, metal, and now wood) and directed jumping in which they are sent away from the handler then called to return over a particular jump.

These three levels title as CD (Companion Dog), CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) and UD (Utility Dog) upon three qualifying scores, or “legs” in which they earn half the points or more on each exercise and a minimum score of 170.

Taking the Bar Jump in competition 

I am very proud to traIn and show in obedience.  My current dogs are older but still active and we  still use our training in everyday life.  Phaser UD and Cola CDX have solid obedience foundations that make for reliable behavior in a wide variety of situations.

All of the exercises are taught is small steps and obedience strengthens the bond between dog and handler while demonstrating the dog’s usefulness to mankind.  Contrary to popular belief, Obedience can be FUN and upbeat - it is all in how you motivate as a trainer.  Other activities to come!