Obedience trial

At a trial, the dog and handler will perform various predefined obedience exercises, which will be evaluated and scored by a judge.

A handler may choose to train for higher degrees of accuracy and style in order to receive more points.

[4] The dog and handler teams with the four highest scores in a given class will receive placement ribbons, and sometimes additional prizes.

Obedience competition provides an opportunity for a person and a dog to work as a highly tuned team.

However, the list of exercises below provides a general description of what a dog and handler can expect at most obedience trials.

Depending on who has sanctioned the given trial dogs are divided into classes based on their proficiency, age, or their handlers experience.

Most organizations break down the dog and handler teams into novice, intermediate, and advanced classes.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) calls these three classes, Novice, Open (intermediate), and Utility (advanced).

The Novice "A" class is reserved for handlers who have never before shown a dog and earned a title in obedience.

Handlers who have earned a CD title in the past, or who do not own the dog with whom they are competing participate in the Novice B division.

Competitors must qualify (170 out of 200 points) three times under two different judges in order to earn the CD title.

Open Class involves seven exercises: Heel Free and a Figure 8 (off leash), a Drop on Recall, Retrieve on Flat, Retrieve over High Jump, Broad Jump, Command Discrimination and Stand, Stay, Get your leash.

Competitors must qualify (170 out of 200 points) three times under two different judges in order to earn the CDX title.

The dog must be able to distinguish between the handler's scent and that of a person who has placed 8 other articles in a cluster approximately 20 feet away.

Competitors must qualify (170 out of 200 points) three times under two different judges in order to earn the UD title.