OBEDIENCE

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Obedience Classes

Obedience has been a traditional part of the curly show for many years and is enjoyed by a range of dogs and handlers from the experienced to the absolute beginner. The range of classes available means that dog and handler can compete at a level with dogs of similar ability. The dog must be entered into the lowest class it is eligible for, and may be entered into one other class. So the dog can only enter 2 classes.

Special Elementary is for dogs, handlers and owners who have not been placed at any class at any obedience show. All the exercises are done on lead and all the exercises are quite simple.

·         Heelwork                                                              10 points

·         Recall to front                                                       10 points

·         1 minute sit stay                                                   10 points

·         1 minute down stay                                                10 points

Special Pre-Beginners is for dogs or handlers who have not won a first prize in Special Pre-Beginners, Special Beginners, Special Novice or Special Test A.  These exercises are done on and off lead and are a little more complex.

·             Heel on lead                                                            10 points

·         Heel free                                                                10 points

·         Recall to front with finish                                           10 points

·         1 minute sit stay (off lead, handler may face dog)          10 points

·         1 minute down stay (off lead, handler may face dog)       10 points

Special Beginners is for dogs or handlers that have not won two first prizes in Special Beginners, or one first prize in Special Novice or Special Test A. As with the Special Pre-Beginners these exercises are done on and off lead and the demand on the dog is greater.

·         Heel on lead                                                             15 points

·         Heel free                                                                  20 points

·         Recall to front with finish                                             10 points

·         Retrieve owner’s article and finish                                  25 points

·         1 minute sit stay (off lead, handler must not face dog)      10 points

·         2 minute down stay (off lead, handler must not face dog)   20 points

Special Novice is for dogs who have not won three first prizes in Special Novice or Special Test A. Complex exercises are the norm for this class, both working on or off lead.

·         Temperament test                                                           10 points

·         Heel on lead                                                              15 points

·         Heel free                                                                  20 points

·         Recall to heel                                                           10 points

·         Retrieve dumbbell or dummy with finish                          15 points

·         1 minute sit stay (off lead, handler back to dog)             10 points

·         2 minutes down stay (off lead, handler out of sight)         20 points

Special Test A is for dogs who are ineligible for other classes except Novice. At this level of competition simultaneous commands and non verbal signals can be given, but extra commands or signals will be penalised.

·         Heel Free                                                                 30 points

·         Recall to heel                                                           10 points

·         Retrieve the judges article and finish                             20 points

·         Scent discrimination                                                              40 points

·         2 minute sit stay (off lead, handler out of sight)               20 points

·         5 minutes down stay (off lead, handler out of sight)         30 points

The Exercises

Heelwork

The judge may demonstrate the route with a non competing dog. During the course of the exercise the steward will ask the handler to halt their dog, to make right or left turns or about turns. The dog may also be asked to down or to be left in position while the handler moves. The steward will use specific terms to give the handler instructions

Handler ready? = question asked of handler before the round starts, once the handler replies “yes” or “handler ready” the first command will be given and the judging will start.

Forward = start moving in the direction you are facing with the dog at heel on the left side

Halt = the dog should stop in the sit position on the left hand side of the handler

Right / left turn = the dog and handler should turn through 90 degrees and keep walking

Right / left turn and halt = the dog and handler should turn through 90 degrees and then stop and the dog should sit

Right / left about turn = the dog and handler should turn through 180 degrees and keep walking

Right / left about turn and halt = the dog and handler should turn through 180 degrees and then stop and the dog should sit

Down your dog = dog should down at the left side of the handler

Leave your dog = the handler walks away from the dog, usually the dog is in the sit position

Collect your dog =  the handler walks past the dog and the dog resumes the heel position and they go forward together

The dog and handler start off with full points and points are deducted for the following:-

On lead, a tight lead will be penalised as will tugging on the lead by either the dog or handler.

Dog failing to sit or turn on command

Dog not staying close to the left side of the handler, the dog does not need to be against the handlers’ leg but should keep a constant close position and not be behind or in front of the handler.

If the handler moves a dog into a position, such as a sit, using their hands or lead.

Points will also be lost if the dog sits at an angle to the handler. The dog is expected to sit at the left hand side of the handler in line with the handler.

Points could also be lost if the dog moves away from the handler while completing any turn.

The dog will be eliminated if it urinates or defecates in the ring or leaves the ring during the exercise.

No treats or toys are allowed in the ring with the handler.

In all but the highest class the handler is encouraged to use positive language and signals to communicate closely with the dog all the time.

 Recall

This exercise is used to test the dogs ability to return to the handler in a controlled way.

The Judge will decide on the distance away that the dog should be left. The handler will leave the dog in either a sit or a down position and under the instruction of the judge walk away from the dog. The judge will tell the handler to stop walking with a verbal instruction. The judge will tell the handler to turn and face the dog and finally the judge will instruct the handler to call the dog. The dog should come directly to the handler and sit in front of the handler. The dog should sit straight in front of the handler and be close to the handler. In the higher classes the handler will be asked to instruct the dog to “finish”. This means that the dog should move round the handler to sit at the heel position in a straight sit. The dog may go around the back of the handler to go to heel or it may move in an arc around the left side of the handler to come to heel.

The dog and handler start off with full points and points are deducted for the following:-

Dog failing to wait or return on command

If the handler moves a dog into a position, such as a sit, using their hands or lead.

Points will also be lost if the dog sits at an angle to the handler on return. The dog is also expected to sit at the left hand side of the handler in line with the handler when returning to heel.

Points could also be lost if the dog does not return in a straight line or moves into the heel position moving away from the handler.

The dog will be eliminated if it urinates or defecates in the ring or leaves the ring during the exercise.

No treats or toys are allowed in the ring with the handler.

In all but the highest class the handler is encouraged to use positive language and signals to communicate closely with the dog.

Recall to Heel

This is a similar exercise to recall but the dog will return to the handler at the left side of the handler in the heel position.

The dog will be left in the sit or down position. The judge will instruct the handler to walk away and then instruct the handler to call the dog while walking. The dog will join the handler at the heel position and they will move forward together until the judge orders them to halt.

The dog and handler start off with full points and points are deducted as they would be for heelwork and recall errors.

Stay

The object of this exercise is to show that the dog is steady and under control. This exercise is done with all dogs at the same time.

The judge will decide the distance that the handlers must be from their dogs, in higher classes the handler may not face the dog and in the highest class the handler will leave the ring.

The judge will ask all handlers if they are ready and then instruct all handlers to leave the dogs. The timer starts as soon as the handlers leave the dogs. The handlers will be instructed to return to the dogs before the time is up and stand next to their dogs until the judge tells everyone that the exercise is finished.

Points are lost for dogs who break the stay. Breaking the stay is defined as visible space between the dog and the floor at anytime during the exercise.

If your dog breaks its stay and comes to you then you should hold onto your dog quietly until the exercise is finished. If your dog breaks its stay and is disturbing other dogs then you should quietly go and stand with your dog without disturbing other dogs, if you can. If your dog is likely to break the stay exercise then you would be expected to go to the end of the line and leave a good distance between yourself and the other dogs.

Retrieve

The dog is expected to show that it can collect an article, under control, and return it to the handler.

The judge will instruct the handler how far and in which direction to throw the article. The article will vary depending on the class. In the lower classes the handler can use their own article but in the higher classes the judge decides which articles to use.

The judge will instruct the handler to send the dog to retrieve the article. The dog is expected to go straight to the article and pick it up without mouthing it and return in a straight line to the handler. The dog should sit and present the article to the handler. The judge will instruct the handler to take the item. In the higher classes the dog will then be expected to sit at heel when the judge tells the handler to finish the exercise.

The dog and handler start off with full points and points are deducted for the following:-

Dog failing to wait or retrieve on command

If the dog chews at the article

If the dog drops the article before commanded to do so

If the dog sits away from the handler, so that they have to step forward to retrieve the article.

If the handler moves a dog into a position, such as a sit, using their hands or lead.

Points will also be lost if the dog sits at an angle to the handler on return. The dog is also expected to sit at the left hand side of the handler in line with the handler when returning to heel.

Points could also be lost if the dog does not return in a straight line or moves into the heel position moving away from the handler.

The dog will be eliminated if it urinates or defecates in the ring or leaves the ring during the exercise.

No treats are allowed in the ring with the handler.

In all but the highest class the handler is encouraged to use positive language and signals to communicate closely with the dog.

Temperament Test

This exercise is to see if the dog is of good temperament.

The judge will ask the handler if the dog is ready and will approach the dog. The judge will touch the dog and may speak to the dog to see how the dog reacts.

The dog and handler start off with full points and points are deducted for the following:-

If the dog backs away from the judge

If the dog will not let the judge touch it or the dog cowers on touching

If the dog shows any signs of aggression during any part of the exercise

Scent Discrimination

The exercise tests the dogs ability to scent an article and able to retrieve the article.

The judge will give the handler a cloth to put their scent on. The cloth is then placed with other cloths in the ring. There will be a minimum of 6 cloths and a maximum of 10 cloths. All the other cloths will not have scent and therefore no decoy cloths will be used. The judge will decide on the pattern of the cloths.

The judge will instruct the handler to send the dog to find the cloth. The dog must pick up the correct cloth and return to the handler and present the cloth. The judge will ask the handler to take the cloth and may ask the dog to return to the heel position to finish the exercise.

The dog and handler start off with full points and points are deducted for the following:-

The dog will lose points for mouthing the other cloths or picking up the wrong cloth.

Points can also be lost for mouthing the correct cloth or for dropping it on return.

Points will be lost if the dog takes time to find the correct cloth

Dog failing to wait or retrieve on command will lose points

If the dog drops the cloth before being commanded to do so

If the dog sits away from the handler, so that they have to step forward to retrieve the cloth.

If the handler moves a dog into a position, such as a sit, using their hands or lead.

Points will also be lost if the dog sits at an angle to the handler on return. The dog is also expected to sit at the left hand side of the handler in line with the handler when returning to heel.

Points could also be lost if the dog does not return in a straight line or moves into the heel position moving away from the handler.

The dog will be eliminated if it urinates or defecates in the ring or leaves the ring during the exercise.

No treats are allowed in the ring with the handler.

In all but the highest class the handler is encouraged to use positive language and signals to communicate closely with the dog.

At the end of the competition the dog that has lost the least points will be the winner of the class.