Content
The Starting Line: Novice Level
The Novice level (often designated as Novice A for beginners handling their first dog in obedience, and Novice B for more experienced handlers or those with a previously titled dog) is where most teams begin their competitive journey. It lays the groundwork for all future obedience work. The exercises here focus on fundamental skills, primarily performed with the dog on leash, although some off-leash work is introduced. Key exercises typically include:- Heel on Leash and Figure Eight: This demonstrates the dog’s ability to walk politely at the handler’s left side, staying close without forging ahead or lagging behind, through various turns and changes of pace. The Figure Eight involves heeling around two closely positioned individuals (the judges or stewards), requiring the dog to adjust its position smoothly without handler guidance through leash tension.
- Stand for Examination: The handler positions the dog in a standing position and walks away a short distance. The judge then approaches the dog and touches it lightly. The dog must remain calmly in place, showing no fear or aggression. This tests the dog’s temperament and acceptance of a stranger.
- Recall: This is usually the first major off-leash exercise. The handler leaves the dog in a sit position, walks across the ring, and calls the dog. The dog must come directly to the handler and sit neatly in front, waiting for the command to finish by returning to the heel position. Speed and enthusiasm are good, but control and a straight path are paramount.
- Long Sit (Group Exercise): Dogs are lined up and commanded to sit. Handlers leave their dogs and walk across the ring, turning to face them for one minute. Dogs must remain sitting without excessive movement or changing position.
- Long Down (Group Exercise): Similar to the long sit, but dogs are commanded into a down position. Handlers leave for three minutes. This tests the dog’s patience and ability to hold a position for an extended period amidst the distraction of other dogs nearby.
Stepping Up: Open Level
The Open level represents a substantial increase in difficulty from Novice. Here, almost all exercises are performed off-leash, demanding much greater reliability and control from the dog. Furthermore, retrieving and jumping exercises are introduced, adding elements of athleticism and task completion. Core Open exercises often involve:- Heel Free and Figure Eight: This is the off-leash version of the Novice heeling exercise. The dog must maintain correct heel position without the security or guidance of a leash, navigating turns and pace changes precisely. The Figure Eight is also performed off-leash.
- Drop on Recall: This builds upon the Novice recall. As the dog is running towards the handler after being called, the handler gives a command (verbal or signal) for the dog to immediately stop and lie down. After a pause, the handler calls the dog again to complete the recall and finish. This tests the dog’s responsiveness even while in motion and at a distance.
- Retrieve on Flat: The handler throws a dumbbell, and on command, the dog runs out, picks it up cleanly, returns directly, and sits in front to present the dumbbell. The dog must hold the dumbbell gently until the handler takes it.
- Retrieve Over High Jump: Similar to the flat retrieve, but this time the dog must jump over a solid hurdle (height based on the dog’s size) on the way out to get the dumbbell and again on the way back. It requires enthusiasm, jumping skill, and obedience.
- Broad Jump: The dog starts from a sit position and, on command, jumps across a series of low hurdles spread out over a distance determined by the dog’s height. The handler stands beside the dog for the command and the dog must clear the full distance and perform a clean landing and return to the handler.
- Long Sit (Out of Sight): Similar to the Novice group sit, but handlers leave the ring and are hidden from the dogs’ view for three minutes.
- Long Down (Out of Sight): Again, like the Novice down, but handlers are out of sight for five minutes. These out-of-sight stays are a true test of the dog’s training and confidence.
Check the Rulebook! Always consult the official rulebook of the specific organization (like AKC, UKC, CKC) you plan to compete in. Rules regarding exercises, scoring, and requirements can vary slightly between governing bodies. Furthermore, these rules are updated periodically, so staying current is essential for success.
The Pinnacle: Utility Level
Utility is the highest and most challenging regular class in competitive obedience. It requires the dog to perform complex tasks involving scent discrimination, following handler signals from a distance, and responding intelligently to directional commands. Precision, focus, and a deep understanding between dog and handler are absolutely critical at this level. Utility exercises push the boundaries of dog training:- Signal Exercise: This sequence mirrors parts of the heeling pattern, but the handler uses only hand signals – no verbal commands are allowed after the initial instruction to heel. The dog must understand signals for stand, stay, down, sit, and come, all performed while the handler is at a distance.
- Scent Discrimination (Articles): The handler places one leather article and one metal article, both bearing their scent, among a pile of identical “dummy” articles that have been handled by the judge or steward but not the handler. The dog is sent to the pile and must locate the correct article (first leather, then metal, in two separate attempts) based solely on the handler’s scent and retrieve it.
- Directed Retrieve (Gloves): Three gloves are placed across the far end of the ring. The handler indicates (usually by pointing) which specific glove the dog should retrieve. The dog must run out, pick up only the designated glove, and bring it back to the handler. This tests the dog’s ability to follow directional cues.
- Moving Stand and Examination: While heeling, the handler gives a command for the dog to stand and stay as the handler continues walking forward. The dog must stop promptly in a standing position and remain there while the judge performs a light examination, similar to the Novice exercise but performed mid-pattern without the handler nearby.
- Directed Jumping (Go Outs): This is often considered one of the most complex exercises. The dog is sent away from the handler to the far end of the ring, sits, and waits. The handler then gives a command (verbal and/or signal) directing the dog to take either the high jump or the bar jump (placed on opposite sides of the ring). The dog must go directly to the indicated jump and clear it.
