AKC OBEDIENCE 101
Obedience trials demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring and emphasize the usefulness of the dog as a companion to humankind. The objective of obedience trials is to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions.
The first AKC licensed obedience trial was held in 1936. In this first year there were 18 trials with approximately 200 entries.
In 2018, there were 118,316 entries in AKC obedience trials.
Dog and handler teams are judged on how closely they match the judge’s mental picture of a theoretically perfect performance as they execute a series of specified exercises.
Accuracy and precision is vital, but the natural movement of the handler and the willingness and enjoyment of the dog are essential for a winning performance.
Each level of obedience competition – Novice, Open, and Utility – requires mastering a specific skill set, which increase in difficulty, before advancing to the next level.
The Novice class demonstrates good canine companion skills such as heeling, both with and without a leash, coming when called, standing for a simple physical examination, and staying in both a sit and a down position with a group of dogs.
In the Novice class, dogs earn a Companion Dog (CD) title after receiving three qualifying scores under two different judges.
To compete, your dog must be:
At least 6 months of age.
Physically sound.
Have an AKC number via one of the following:
- AKC Registration as one of the 200 recognized breeds.
- AKC Canine Partners, which is for mixed-breed dogs and dogs ineligible for AKC registration.
- Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program, which is for purebred dogs that cannot be fully registered with the AKC to participate in AKC events.
- Foundation Stock Service®(FSS), which is for recorded breeds on the road to full AKC recognition.
Spayed females and neutered males are eligible to participate but females in season are not.
Dogs that are blind are not eligible to participate.
No dog can compete if it is taped or bandaged or in any way has anything attached to it for medical purposes.
BEGINNER NOVICE
Beginner Novice A:
- Handler must be the owner or member of owner’s household or immediate family
- Dog has no Obedience titles
- Heel on Leash—demonstrates whether the dog will watch handler and adjust its pace to stay with handler
- Figure 8—same as Heel on Leash but done in Figure Eight pattern
- Sit for Exam demonstrates dog will stay seated when approached and lightly touched by judge, without displaying resentment
- Sit Stay—demonstrates dog will stay seated when handler walks away within sight of dog
- Recall—demonstrates dog will come to handler on command
Beginner Novice B:
- Any person may handle
- Dog can have a BN, CD (Novice A or B) or PCD title; no other Obedience Title
- Same exercises as Beginner Novice A
NOVICE
Novice A:
- Handler must be the owner or member of owner’s household or immediate family
- Handler has NOT handled a dog that has earned a Preferred Novice or higher-level title.
- Heel on Leash and Figure Eight—same as Beginner Novice
- Stand for Exam—for this off leash exercise, dog must stay in standing position as handler walks about 6 feet away. Judge will approach and lightly touch dog on the head, body and hindquarters. Dog must not display any resentment.
- Heel Free—dogs will heel off leash doing same as on-leash but will not do Figure Eight.
- Recall—demonstrates dog will come to handler on command.
- Sit-Stay, Get Your Leash—demonstrates dog will remain in sit position while handler walks away to get dog’s leash.
- Group Exercise, Sit and Down Stay demonstrates dog’s ability to remain in the sit and down position with other dogs in the ring and is performed on-leash.
Novice B:
- Any person may handle
- Same exercises as Novice A