Obedience Competition - a team sport between dog and man

For me Obedience Competition has the huge big advantage of time and location training. You don’t need any big expensive items, you definitely don’t need a short period to teach your dog and you don’t need a huge proper space.

Patience, a learning open mind and a calm spirit, are the 3 major bases in this sport. For someone experience in this sport, maybe takes little time to pass each class, but for others, I believe that calm and patience in passing each class, just give more experience and knowledge in such a sport.

I see my competition life in long term … a very long term, since I expect to still going to competitions, workshops and seminars with my 14-15-… year old dog. So if it takes me 2 years to pass a class, that is fine by me.

Also, I think it is a social event to go to a seminar, workshop and competition trial. I believe that we all should make the most of each event, know new people, exchange ideas, learn new techniques and learn with each other experience. Take a too competitive spirit or old discussions, just spoils the trip and the idea of a good dog day, spent between people with the same passion and love for dogs and dog sport.

Come on, where else we are seen as normal ?

So, after give you my idea and why I love Obedience Competition, I take you in a trip for International Obedience exercises,

EXERCISES IN THE INTERNATIONAL OBEDIENCE CLASS

Rules and instructions for the performance and judging of the exercises


EXERCISE 1 – Sitting in a group for 2 minutes.

Commands: “Sit”, “Stay”

Performance: The dogs are sitting in heel position in a row at approx. 3 metres distance from each other. When told, the handlers leave the dogs and walk out of sight of the dogs and stay hidden for 2 minutes. When 2 minutes have elapsed, the handlers are instructed to walk back into the ring and take a standing position inside the ring. The handlers are then told to walk up beside their dog so that the dog is in heel position. There should be at least three dogs in a group, but not more than six.

Directions: A dog that stands up, lies down or moves/creeps more than its own body length gets 0 points. All moving reduces points. If the dog barks 1-2 times, 1-2 points are withdrawn; if it barks most of the time, the exercise is failed (0 points). Restlessness, such as shifting weight from one side or one foot to another, should be penalised. The dog is allowed to turn its head and look around, and it is allowed to show interest if there is distraction or noise inside or outside the ring. This, however, should not give an appearance of restlessness or anxiety. If the dog lies down or stands up after the two-minute period is over and the handler has already reached the inside of the ring, not more than 5 points can be awarded. If a dog stands up and goes close to another dog, so that there is fear for a fight, the exercise must be stopped and then resumed for all dogs except the dog that caused the disturbance.

It is recommended that the area outside the ring in front of the dogs is a closed area (no outsiders besides personnel are allowed) during this exercise. In the EW and WW competitions this arrangement is obligatory.

Coeff. : 3 Max. points 30


EXERCISE 2 – Lying in a group for 4 minutes with distractions

Commands: “Down”, “Stay”, “Sit”

Performance: The dogs are sitting in heel position in a row at approx. 3 metres distance from each other. The lying down on command from heel position is performed one by one. The dogs should be commanded to lie down from left to right and to sit up from right to left so that the first to lie down is the last to sit up and vice versa. The steward tells when to give the command. The handlers walk out of sight of the dogs together and stay hidden for 4 minutes. The dogs stay lying down and are subjected to distractions, for example a person weaving between the dogs. When 4 minutes has elapsed, the handlers are instructed to walk together back into the ring and take a standing position approx. 3 metres behind their dog.
The handlers are then instructed to walk up beside their dog and told, one by one, to command their dog to heel position. There should be at least three dogs in a group but not more than six.

Directions: A dog that stands or sits while the handlers are out of sight or crawls more than its own body length fails the exercise (0 points). All movement should clearly reduce points. If the dog barks 1-2 times, 1-2 points are deducted; if it barks most of the time, the exercise is failed (0 points). Restlessness, such as shifting weight from one side to another, should be penalised. The dog is allowed to turn its head and look around, and it is allowed to show interest if there is distraction or noise inside or outside the ring. This must not give an appearance of restlessness or anxiety, however. If a dog stands up and goes close to another dog, so that there is fear for a fight, the exercise must be stopped and then resumed for all dogs except the dog that caused the disturbance.

No more than 7 points can be awarded if a dog lies on its side (flank).

If the dog sits or stands up after the four-minute period is over and the handler has already reached the inside of the ring, not more than 5 points can be awarded.

It is recommended that the area outside the ring in front of the dogs is a closed area (only personnel are allowed) during this exercise. In the EW and WW competitions this arrangement is obligatory.

Coeff. : 2 Max. points 20


EXERCISE 3 – Heelwork

Command: “Heel”

Performance: Heelwork is tested at different speeds in conjunction with directions, turns and turnabouts. The unleashed dog should willingly follow the handler, walking on the handler’s left side, with the shoulder level with the handler’s left knee and following the handler in a parallel line. The handler should move his arms in a natural way during the exercise.

Heelwork shall be tested in normal, slow and quick pace together with turns, turnabouts and halts. The handler can choose to do the turnabouts to the left or the right. The “German turnabout” is equally acceptable, i.e., the dog is allowed to circle around the handler on the right side, but very tightly. The dog must also be tested when the handler moves two or three steps in different directions from standing position, and when the handler makes turns and turnabouts from the standing position.

All dogs in one test or competition should do the heelwork according to the same scheme.




The heel command may be given at every start, when changing speed, when taking steps in different directions from standing position and at turns and turnabouts from the standing position. When the handler stops, the dog shall take the heel position immediately and without command.

Directions: A dog that leaves the handler or follows the handler at a distance of more than half a metre during the major part of the exercise is failed. If the dog moves slowly, only 6-7 points should be given. Lack of contact and extra commands are mistakes. An imperfect direction (not parallel) of the heel position should result in loss of about 2 points.

Coeff. : 3 Max. points : 30


EXERCISE 4 – Stand, sit and down under march

Commands: “Stand”, “Sit”, “Down”, “Heel” (4 times)

Performance: The exercise is performed under march around a 8 m x 8 m square counter-clockwise, so that left turns will be taken at the corners. Under the march the handler commands, on instruction of the steward, the dog to a standing, sitting and down position. Cones in the corner mark the square.

The starting point for the march is in the middle of one of the sides of the square (the first side). The steward will instruct the handler to command the dog to a standing position when they have reached the middle (approximately) of the next (second) side while the handler continues his walk around the square. Upon reaching the dog again, the handler gives the heel command under march. The exercise continues so that correspondingly the handler commands the dog to sit in the middle of the third side and to down position in the middle of the fourth side. The exercise will end when they reach the starting point once more.

The stand, sit and down positions should be parallel to the imaginary lines of the square and ca. 0,5 m from the imaginary lines taking the size of the dog into consideration. The corners should be 90o, not rounded off.

Directions: If the dog stops once in a wrong position (e.g., sitting instead of down), not more than 7 points can be awarded. If the dog misses one position (does not stop at all), not more that 6 points can be awarded.

To get any points for a given position the dog should not move more than one body length after the command, and take the commanded position (stand, sit, down) before the handler has passed the next corner of square. To get points for the exercise, at least two positions must be performed. In judging, attention should also be paid to the heelwork. Moving slowly, bad heelwork and rounded corners are mistakes.

Coeff. : 3 Max. points : 30



EXERCISE 5 – Recall with stand and down

Commands: “Down”, “Stay”, “Come” (3 times), “Stand”, “Down” OR hand signals.

Performance: The dog is placed in down position and the handler walks approx. 30 – 35 m in the indicated direction. On permission from the steward, the handler recalls the dog. The handler orders the dog to stand when the dog has covered approx. one third of the distance. When told, the handler recalls the dog again. Having covered approx. two thirds of the distance, the dog is ordered to lie down. After the second stop and on permission from the steward, the handler calls the dog to heel position. The steward tells the handler only when to recall the dog. The handler gives the stop commands independently at the markers (cones). Oral commands and hand signals may be mixed so that an oral command may be used at one position and a hand signal at another, but not simultaneously. The dog’s name may be combined with the first recall command, but name and command must be well combined together and may not give the impression of two separate commands.

Directions: It is important that the dog responds willingly to all recall commands. The dog should move at good speed and keep its pace, at least a fast trot. Slow movement is a mistake. The breed should be taken into consideration in judging the speed. The dog should at once, on command, begin its stop. When evaluating the stop, the speed of the dog should also be considered. There can be some tolerance on the actual stopping for fast dogs, but not for slow dogs. To get full points (for a stop) not more that one body length can be exceeded from the time of command to the stop. To obtain any points (for a stop) not more than 3 body lengths can be exceeded. If more than 3 recall commands are given, the highest score is 6. A third recall on a single position results in failure of the exercise.

If the dog misses one position (i.e., does not stop within the limit) no more than 6 points can be awarded. If there is no attempt to stop at one of the positions, not more than 5 points can be awarded. If the dog fails to stop at both positions, or takes the positions in an opposite order, the exercise is failed. If the dog stops once in a wrong position not more than 7 points can be awarded. If the dog sits or stands up before the first recall command, not more than 7 points can be given. If the dog moves more than one body length before the first recall command, the exercise is failed.

Coeff. : 4 Max. points : 40


EXERCISE 6 - Send away with directions, down and recall

Commands: “Forward”, “Stand”, “Right/Left” and/or arm signal (“Stop”), “Down”, “Come”.

Performance: The dog is sent to a cone (small, preferably a half sphere) approx. 10 m from the starting point and is commanded to stand by the cone. The dog should take its stand position within a circle of 2-meter radius drawn about the cone. After approximately 3 seconds, the handler is told to direct the dog to a 3 m x 3 m square at approx. 25 metres from the starting point.

The square should be situated approx. 3 – 5 meters from the ringside border. Cones mark the square at each corner. Visible lines (e.g., tape, chalk lines) should connect the cones on their outer side. When the dog reaches the square, the handler commands the dog down. When told, the handler walks towards the dog. Approximately 2 m from the dog, the handler is told to turn, and after approx. 10 m to turn again and walk towards the starting point. After another 10 m the handler is told to recall the dog while continuing to walk towards the starting point.

The dog should move in a straight line to the cone and to the square and should enter the square from the front. The angle between the connecting lines of the starting point and the cone, and between the cone and the middle of the square should be 90°.

See Figure in Chapter VI.

Directions: The dog’s willingness to follow directions and commands, the dog’s tempo and straight routes should be emphasised. To get 10 points, the handler should not use more than 6 commands during this exercise, the sixth command being a stop command in the square. The dog must follow the commands (e.g., if a stand command is given in the square). An option is to use only the down command when the dog has entered the square and thus use only five commands.

If the dog acts on his own, this is penalised. This means that for example the “stand” command by the cone and “down” command in the square have to be given. If the handler moves forward (takes steps in any direction) while giving the commands, the exercise is failed (0 points). If there is excess action (body language) from the handler, not more then 8 points should be given. The dog should have all four feet within the circle before the handler is told to direct the dog to the square. A dog that takes a sitting or down position by the cone should not be awarded more then 8 points. If the dog sits or lies down outside the circle or if the dog lies down outside the square the exercise is failed. If the dog is already down, no redirecting command is allowed. To get points, the dog’s whole body, except for the tail, must be in the square.

The exercise is failed if the dog rises to sit or stand before the handler’s second turn. Not more than 5 points can be awarded if the dog rises (to sit or stand) after the handler’s second turn before it is recalled. If the dog moves in the square without rising, not more than 7 points can be awarded. If it moves and crosses the border before recall, the exercise is failed. If the dog moves very slowly, only about 6 points should be given.

A second recall, stop or down command is penalised (- 2 points/command). The exercise is failed if even one these commands has to be given a third time. The penalty for extra directing commands depends on their strength and the dog’s willingness to obey the commands.

It is not allowed to show the dog directions at the starting point or to show the square to the dog before the exercise. These lead to failing the exercise.

Coeff. : 4 Max. points : 40


EXERCISE 7 – Directed retrieve

Command: “Forward”, “Stand”, “Right/left” and/or arm signal, “Retrieve”, “Release”

Performance: Three wooden dumbbells of the same size are placed in a row approx. 5 m apart from each other so that they are easily seen. The starting point is approx. 20 m from the central dumbbell. The dog is sent to a cone situated approx.10 m from the starting point. The dog is commanded to stand at the cone, within about 2 m distance from it. After about 3 seconds, the handler is told to direct the dog to either the right or the left dumbbell, determined by draw, and the dog should retrieve and deliver it correctly.

The steward places the three dumbbells after it has been determined by draw, which one is to be retrieved. (The central dumbbell is never drawn.) The dumbbell that is drawn (left or right) is always set down first. During this procedure the handler and the dog stand at the starting point facing the central dumbbell at a distance of approx. 20 m.

Three sizes of dumbbells should be available (max. about 450g), suitable for different breeds. The size of the dumbbell should be in relation to the size of the dog but the handler is free to choose the size.

Directions: Emphasis should be on the dog’s willingness to follow the directive commands, the dog’s tempo and its taking the shortest way to the correct dumbbell. Showing the dog directions at the starting point will be judged as touching the dog and lead to failing of the exercise. To obtain points for this exercise, the dog should stand at the cone within a circle of a radius of 2 m drawn about the cone. A dog that lies down or sits at the cone, can not get more than 8 points.

Chewing or biting on the dumbbell must be penalised by a reduction in points to 7 or less. If chewing is extensive not more than 5 points should be awarded. Very extensive chewing or breaking the dumbbell results in failing the exercise (0 points). No penalty should be given, however, if the dog once takes a better grip on the dumbbell.

If the dog picks up the wrong dumbbell, the exercise is failed (0 points).

Dropping the dumbbell:
If the dog drops the dumbbell but picks it up on its own initiative, not more than 7 points can be awarded. If an extra “retrieve” command has to be given, the maximum is 5 points. If the dog drops the dumbbell beside the handler and the handler picks it up without taking a step, 5 points can be awarded.

The penalty for extra directing commands depends on their strength and the dog’s willingness to obey the commands. The penalty for other extra commands should be congruent with the general directions and with exercise 6.

Coeff. : 3 Max. points : 30



EXERCISE 8 – Jumping a hurdle and retrieving a metal object

Command: “Jump”, “Retrieve” and “Release”.
Performance: The handler is placed in front of a hurdle at approx. 3 m from the hurdle, with the dog in heel position. The handler throws a metal dumbbell over the hurdle. When instructed, the handler commands the dog to jump over the hurdle, retrieve the dumbbell and jump back. Three different sizes (and weights) of metal dumbbells must be available, in proportion to the sizes of the dogs. The maximum weight of the largest dumbbell is approx. 200 g. It is, however, the handler’s choice which dumbbell he or she selects, regardless of the size the dog. The hurdle should be 1 m. wide and approximately as high as the dog at the withers, rounded up to the closest 10 cm. It should never be more than 1 m high.

Directions: The “retrieve” command should not be given later than when the dog starts its jump. If the dog touches the hurdle even slightly when jumping, the maximum score is 8 points. If the dog supports itself on the hurdle or if it does not jump back, the exercise is failed.

Dropping the article:
If the dog drops the article but picks it up on its own initiative, not more than 7 points can be awarded. If an extra “retrieve” command has to be given, the maximum is 5 points. If the dog drops the article beside the handler and the handler picks it up without taking a step, 5 points can be awarded.

Chewing or biting on the article is penalised by a reduction in points to 7 or less. If chewing is extensive not more than 5 points can be awarded. Very extensive chewing or breaking the article results in failing the exercise (0 points). No penalty should be given, however, if the dog once takes a better grip on the article.

Coeff. : 3 Max. points : 30


EXERCISE 9 - Scent and retrieve

Commands: “Seek/retrieve”, “Release”

Performance: Just before the start of this exercise the steward gives the handler a wooden retrieve article (10 cm x 2 cm x 2 cm), which the handler marks with his or her start number. The handler can keep the marked article in his/her hand for approx. 5 s. The dog is not allowed to touch or scent the article at this stage. The steward tells the handler to turn around and the handler then hands over the article to the steward. The handler decides whether the dog does or does not see when the objects are positioned. The steward walks to place the handler’s article, without touching it, together with 5 similar articles on the ground or floor at a distance of about 10 metres from the handler. The steward touches the other five articles and places them by hand. The articles are placed in a circle or horizontal line at a distance of approx. 25 cm from each other. The handler is then told to turn around and command the dog to retrieve the marked article. The dog should find the handler’s article, retrieve it and deliver it to the handler in accordance with the general directions.
The articles should be placed in the same pattern for all competitors, but the position of the handler’s article may vary. In case of a horizontal line the handler’s article should not be in an outside position, however.

The dog should be allowed to work approximately half a minute if the working is active and goal driven. There should be six new articles for each competitor.

Directions: Emphasis should be on the dog’s willingness to work and its speed. The exercise is also failed, if the dog is allowed to scent or touch the article before it is handed back to the steward, if commands are given when the dog is at the articles, or if the dog picks up the wrong article.

Chewing or biting on the article is penalised by a reduction in points to 7 or less. If chewing is extensive not more than 5 points can be awarded. Very extensive chewing or breaking the article results in failing the exercise (0 points). No penalty should be given, however, if the dog once takes a better grip on the article.

Dropping the article:
If the dog drops the article, but picks it up on its own initiative, not more than 7 points can be awarded. If an extra “retrieve” command has to be given, the maximum is 5 points. If the dog drops the article beside the handler and the handler picks it up without taking a step, 5 points can be awarded.

Coeff. : 3 Max. points : 30


EXERCISE 10 – Distant control

Commands: “Down” “stay”, “Sit”, “Stand”, “Down” and /or hand signals.

Performance : The dog is set in down position at a predetermined place. When instructed, the handler leaves the dog and moves to an assigned place approx. 15 m from the dog. The dog should change positions 6 times (stand/sit/down) and remain in its original place. The order of taking the positions can vary, but should be the same for all competitors. Each position should be done twice and the last command for changing position should be “down”. The steward shows the handler, with written signs, in which order the dog should change position. The steward should not be able to see the dog when displaying the instructions. The steward should change the sign about every 3 seconds. The handler may use both voice commands and hand signals, but they must be short and used simultaneously. A boundary is marked in front or back of the dog by an imaginary line connecting two markers.

Directions : Emphasis should be on how much the dog moves, the speed at which positions are changed, the clearness of the positions and how well the positions are held. To get any points, the dog should not move in total more than its body length from the starting point (in any direction). Back and forth movements are summed. If the dog misses one position of the six, not more than 7 points should be given. However, if the dog jumps over one position and takes the next position, the exercise is failed.


The dog has to change position at least 5 times to get points. If the dog sits up before the handler returns, not more then 8 points should be given. Extensive use of voice and exaggerated or continuous hand signals are penalised.

Coeff. : 4 Max. points : 40

For more information about trials and regulations in Portugal just click on http://obediencia.cpc.pt/

Finally, take a few minutes to watch the world champion, Mads Möller, working,