Dog Training

If your dog has joined a dog training club to perform, and completed its basic training for the home, it is also in the right place to begin competition. A dog can start competing in Exemption events at the dog training club without the need for formal registration. This is only required for either competition between different clubs, or for competition at a higher level against other dogs. You will just have to pay a small entry fee, which usually goes to the dog training club; most of which are non-profit making organizations.

Although the basic training done to allow the dog to interact properly at home is inadequate for going into initial competition, the skills are basically the same. If you have trained your dog to come to you when called, for example, all you now need to do is train it to come to you without being on the leash - and without any deviation form the straight path. Marks will be deducted in competition for any angle or bend or curve in the dog's path back to the handler.

The classes and levels of competition differ for each kennel club in each different country. In Great Britain, for example, there is a Championship 'C' class whose winners are eligible to enter the world famous Crufts Dog Show. Below that are the 'C', 'B', and 'A' classes, and then the more rudimentary classes of Novice, Beginner, and Pre-Beginner. In the USA, the American Kennel Club has three basic levels of competition, the Novice level, the Open level and the Utility level. The Utility level is the most advanced level, and the hardest to reach.

Many different exercises form part of the obedience trials. The most common command of 'Recall' is tested with an exercise in which the dog is sent to the opposite end of the arena from the handler and is then summoned, on the signal from the judge, to come back to the handler. The dog must travel briskly with no idling, and must not veer from the straight. Another variation of this, seen in the Open class, is when the dog is commanded to lie down at the end of the return.

Another exercise commonly seen is where the dog and handler walk a route that has been worked out in advance of competition, which will include common needs such as turning left and right, speeding up and slowing down, stopping, and even an about turn. The common command of 'Sit' is not used as an exercise in its own right, but is used as part of other exercises.

There are other exercises, which are confined to the more advanced levels of competition. For now, expanding on the basics will give you enough of a grounding to enter the wonderful world of competitive dog obedience training.