Agility Part 1

Dogs and handlers must negotiate an obstacle course while racing against the clock. Agility is a great form of exercise for both dog and handler, and a fun way to bond. And you don’t have to compete to enjoy agility. Taking an agility class offers many other benefits. But many people start the sport just for fun, only to get bitten by the agility bug and become lifelong competitors! What is Obedience? Consider taking obedience training with your dog to a whole new level! Help your dog realize its full potential by entering obedience trials and earning competitive obedience titles. AKC obedience trials demonstrate the usefulness of the dog as a companion to man. Developed in the 1930’s it is one of the AKC’s oldest events! Obedience trials showcase dogs that have been trained and conditioned to behave well in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. AKC trials allow exhibitors and their dogs to enjoy companionship and competition as they proudly earn AKC titles. You can find a list of clubs that offer training classes on the AKC website under Clubs, then Club Search. These clubs also hold the AKC events that you can enter once you and your dog are ready. Levels of Obedience Competition There are three main levels of obedience competition which are listed here, but there are several optional titling classes or non-regular (non-titling) classes that you can choose from if you are just getting started, if you want to try out different exercises or just for fun! You can find a complete list of all obedience classes in the AKC Obedience Regulations. NOVICE – For the dog just getting started in obedience. Exercises include: • Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – show whether the dog has learned to watch its handler and adjust its pace to stay with the handler. • Heel Free – The dog and handler perform a heeling pattern for the judge with the dog off-leash. • Stand for Examination – The dog must stay in a standing position as its handler walks a short distance away. The judge will then lightly touch the dog on the head, the body and the hindquarters. The handler then returns to the dog. • Recall – Demonstrates that the dog will come to the handler on command. • Long Sit (1 minute) – The dog must remain sitting in the presence of other dogs while the handler stands across the ring. • Long Down (3 minutes) – dog must remain in a down position in the presence of other dogs while the handler stands across the ring. OPEN – The second level includes more complicated exercises; the dog must be able to perform a variety of tasks and follow commands either by voice or signal. Exercises include: • Heel Free and Figure Eight – Same as Novice, but off leash. • Drop on Recall – The dog must come to the handler when called from across the ring and on the handler’s command or signal drop into a down position and then on command or signal from the handler resume coming to the handler. • Retrieve on Flat – Demonstrates a dog’s ability to retrieve an object oncommand. • Retrieve Over High Jump – The dog must jump over an obstacle in order to retrieve an object and then jump the obstacle again to return it to the handler. • Broad Jump – This exercise shows that the dog is able to jump a width that is twice as long as the dog is tall. • Long Sit (3 minutes) – similar to the long sit in Novice, but the position must be held for a longer period of time with the handler out of the dog’s sight. • Long Down (5 minutes) – dog must remain in a down position with the handler out of sight. UTILITY – The third and highest level of obedience competition. Exercises include: Signal Exercise – shows the dog’s ability to understand Scent Discrimination , Directed Retrieve, Moving Stand and Examination, Directed Jumping