OBEDIENCE CLASS DEFINITION AND REQUIREMENTS

Introductory.

To compete in the Introductory Class a handler and dog must not have won three Introductory Classes and must be eligible to compete in Pre-Beginners.

a. This class is to introduce and support newcomers to Obedience Competition.   In this class only incentives in the form of a toy or rewards are allowed to be carried by the handler in the competition ring and may be given to the dog at the end of an exercise or in between exercises.   Rewards include food which must be carried in a small closed container during the exercises.   The judge will designate an area in the competitive ring where food may be given to the dog by the handler.

b. To compete in the Introductory Class a handler or dog must not have won one Introductory Class or have achieved a 4th place or above in Pre-Beginners or in any other class.

c. Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands in all exercises except stays.

d. The stays to be completed on lead, handler facing sideways onto the dog in the designated stay ring.

e. In any exercise attempted the competing team cannot lose all the allocated points for that exercise but must be awarded a minimum of two points for each exercise they have attempted.

f. The detailed test will be:

(1) Play with dog for 15-30 seconds on or off lead at the handlers choice.   Handlers may use a silent toy.    10 points

(2) Heel on Lead                                                                                                                                                                 10 points

(3) Recall with a finish on lead, off lead or long line, at the handlers choice                                                           10 points

(4) One minute stay on lead in either the sit or down at the handlers choice                                                          10 points

(5) TOTAL                                                                                                                                                                            40 points

a. To compete in Pre-Beginners a handler or dog must not have won a First place in either Pre Beginners or Beginners nor gained a third place or above in any other obedience class. (Introductory Class excepted)

b. Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except in the Sit and Down tests. In these tests at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs, Judges or Stewards must not use the words “last command” except in the Sit and Down tests.

c. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel on lead 15 points
2. Heel free 20 points
3. Recall from sit or down position at handler’s choice.
   Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog. Dog to return smartly to the handler,sit in front, go to heel-all on command of Judge or Steward to handler. Distance at discretion of JudgeTest commences when handler leaves dog. 10 points
4. Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
5. Down two minutes, handler in sight 20 points
6. TOTAL 75 points

a. To compete in Beginners a handler or dog must not have won a total of two or more First Prizes in Beginners Class, or one First Prize in any other Obedience Class, (Introductory Class and Pre Beginners excepted).

b. Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except on the Sit and Down tests. In these tests at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs. Judges and Stewards must not use the words “last command” except in the Sit and Down tests.

c. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel on lead 15 points
2. Heel free 20 points
3. Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog. Dog to return smartly to handler, sit in front, go to heel – all on command of Judge or Steward to handler. Distance at discretion of Judge. Test commences when handler leaves dog 10 points
4. Retrieve any article. Handlers may use their own article 25 points
5. Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
6. Down two minutes, handler in sight 20 points
7. TOTAL 100 points

a. For dogswhich have notwon 2 First Prizes in Obedience Classes. (Introductory Class, Pre Beginners and Beginners excepted).

b. Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except in the Sit and Down tests. In these tests, at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs. Judges or Stewards must not use the words “last command” except in the Sit and Down tests.

c. The detailed tests will be:

1. Temperament Test. Dog to be on the lead, in the Stand position, handler to stand by dog. Judge to approach quietly from the front and to run his hand gently down the dog’s back. Judge may talk quietly to the dog to reassure it. Any undue resentment, cringing, growling or snapping to be penalised. This is not a stand for examination or a stay test 10 points
2. Heel on lead 15 points
3. Heel Free 20 points
4. Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog. Dog to return smartly to handler, sit in front, go to heel-all on command of Judge or Steward to handler. Distance at discretion of Judge. Test commences when handler leaves dog 10 points
5. Retrieve a dumb-bell, handlers may use their own dumb-bell 15 points
6. Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
7. Down 2 minutes, handler in sight 20 points
8. TOTAL 100 points

a For dogs which have not won 3 First Prizes in Class A, B and Open Class C in total.

b. Simultaneous command and signal will be permitted. Extra commands or signals must be penalised.

c. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel free 30 points
2. Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled to heel by handler, on command of Judge or Steward, whilst handler is walking away from dog, both to continue forward until ordered to halt. The recall and halt points to be the same for each dog and handler. Test commences following handler’s last command to dog 15 points
3. Retrieve a dumb-bell, handlers may use their own dumb-bell 25 points
4. Sit 2 minutes, handler in sight 20 points
5. Down 3 minutes, handler out of sight 30 points
6. Scent discrimination. The handler’s scent on a marked cloth supplied by the Judge. There must be a total of 6 scent cloths, this total must not include any decoys, but must include the cloth provided by the judge. These 6 cloths must be set out in a straight line, which may be in any direction. 30 points
7. TOTAL 150 points

a. For dogs which have not won 3 First Prizes in Class B and Open Class C in total.

b. One command by word or signal is permitted, any extra commands and signals must be penalised. However, a simultaneous command and signal is permitted in the Send Away element of the Send Away, Drop and Recall exercise.

c. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel free. The dog shall be required to walk at heel free and shall also be tested at fast and slow pace. Each change of pace shall commence from the halt position 40 points
2. Send Away, Drop and Recall. On command of Judge the handler to bring the dog to the place indicated, set up the dog and stand upright. On further command, the handler will send the dog in the direction indicated by the Judge. After the dog has been dropped, handler will call the dog to heel whilst walking where directed by the Judge and both will continue forward until ordered to halt. No obstacle to be placed in path of dog. Markers, if used, must be stationary and contain no moving parts. Simultaneous command and signal is permitted but as soon as the dog leaves the handler, the arm must be dropped. (N.B. an extra command may be simultaneous command and signal but must be penalised.) 40 points
3. Retrieve any one article provided by the Judge but which must not be in any way injurious to the dog (excluding food or glass). The article to be picked up easily by any breed of dog in that Class and to be clearly visible to the dog. A separate similar article to be used for each dog. Test commences following Judge or Stewards words “last command” to handler. 30 points
4. Sit 2 minutes, handler out of sight 20 points
5. Down 5 minutes, handler out of sight 30 points
6. Scent discrimination. The handler’s scent on a marked cloth supplied by the Judge. There must be a minimum of 6 and up to a maximum of 10 scent cloths, the total must include one decoy cloth, and the cloth provided by the Judge. The pattern of cloths is at the Judge’s discretion 40 points
7. TOTAL 200 points

a. For Championship Class C at Championship Shows, dogs must have won out of Novice, Class A and Class B and have won Open Class C on one occasion and have been placed not lower than third on three occasions, all Open Class C places and wins under different Judges at Kennel Club licensed shows.

b. At Open Shows, and in the Open C Classes held at Championship Shows, open to all dogs.

c. At Limited Shows, open to all dogs except Obedience Certificate winners and dogs which have obtained any award that counts towards the title of Obedience Champion or the equivalent thereof under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club.

d. One command by word or signal is permitted, any extra commands and signals must be penalised. However, a simultaneous command and signal is permitted in the Send Away element of the Send Away, Drop and Recall exercise.

e. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel Work. The dog shall be required to walk at heel free, and also be tested at fast and slow pace. At some time during this test, at the discretion of the Judge, the dog shall be required, whilst walking at heel at normal pace, to be left at the Stand, Sit and Down position in any order (the order to be the same for each dog) as and when directed by the Judge. The handler shall continue forward alone without hesitation, and continue as directed by the Judge until reaching the dog when both shall continue forward together until halted. 60 points
2. Send Away, Drop and Recall as in Class B. 40 points
3. Retrieve any one article provided by the Judge but which must not be in any way injurious to the dog (excluding food or glass). The article to be picked up easily by any breed of dog in the Class and to be clearly visible to the dog. A separate similar article to be used for each dog, Test commences following Judge or Stewards “last command” to handler. 30 points
4. Distant Control. Dog to Sit, Stand and Down at a marked place not less than 10 paces and not more than 20 paces from handler, in any order on command from Judge to handler. 6 instructions to be given in the same order for each dog. Excessive movement, i.e. more than the body length of the dog, in any direction by the dog, having regard to its size, will be penalised. The dog shall start the exercise with its front feet behind a designated point. No penalty for excessive movement in a forward direction shall be imposed until the back feet of the dog pass the designated point 50 points
5. Sit 2 minutes, handler out of sight 20 points
6. Down 10 minutes, handler out of sight 50 points
7. Scent discrimination. The Judge’s scent on a marked cloth supplied by the Judge. There must be a minimum of 6 and up to a maximum of 10 scent cloths, this total must include the Judge’s scent cloth and a decoy or decoys. The pattern is at the Judge’s discretion. 50 points
8. TOTAL 300 points