OBEDIENCE CLASS DEFINITION AND REQUIREMENTS

Introductory.

a. This class is to introduce and support newcomers to Obedience Competition.   In this class only incentives in the form of a toy or rewards are allowed to be carried by the handler in the competition ring and may be given to the dog at the end of an exercise or in between exercises.   Rewards include food which must be carried in a small closed container during the exercises.   The judge will designate an area in the competitive ring where food may be given to the dog by the handler.

b. To compete in the Introductory Class a handler or dog must not have won one Introductory Class or have achieved a 4th place or above in Pre-Beginners or in any other class.

c. Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands in all exercises except stays.

d. The stays to be completed on lead, handler facing sideways onto the dog in the designated stay ring.

e. In any exercise attempted the competing team cannot lose all the allocated points for that exercise but must be awarded a minimum of two points for each exercise they have attempted.

f. The detailed test will be:

(1) Play with dog for 15-30 seconds on or off lead at the handlers choice.   Handlers may use a silent toy.    10 points

(2) Heel on Lead                                                                                                                                                     10 points

(3) Recall with a finish on lead, off lead or long line, at the handlers choice                                                           10 points

(4) One minute stay on lead in either the sit or down at the handlers choice                                                          10 points

(5) TOTAL                                                                                                                                                             40 points

a. To compete in Pre-Beginners a handler or dog must not have won a First place in either Pre Beginners or Beginners nor gained a third place or above in any other obedience class. (Introductory Class excepted)

b. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel on lead 15 points
2. Heel free 20 points
3. Recall 10 points
4. Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
5. Down two minutes, handler in sight 20 points
6. TOTAL 75 points

a. To compete in Beginners a handler or dog must not have won a total of two or more First Places in Beginners Class, or one First Place in any other Obedience Class, (Introductory Class and Pre Beginners excepted).

b. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel on lead 15 points
2. Heel free 20 points
3. Recall 10 points
4. Retrieve any article.  25 points
5. Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
6. Down two minutes, handler in sight 20 points
7. TOTAL 100 points

a. For dogs which have not won 2 First Places in Obedience Classes. (Introductory Class, Pre Beginners and Beginners excepted).

b. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel on lead 20 points
2. Heel Free 25 points
3. Recall 10 points
4. Retrieve a dumb-bell 15 points
5. Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
6. Down two minutes, handler in sight 20 points
7. TOTAL 100 points

a For dogs which have not won 3 First Prizes in Class A, B and Open Class C in total.

b. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel free 30 points
2. Recall 15 points
3. Retrieve a dumb-bell, handlers will use their own dumb-bell 25 points
4. Sit 2 minutes, handler in sight 20 points
5. Down 3 minutes, handler out of sight 30 points
6. Scent discrimination. The handlers scent and no decoys. There must be a total of 6 scent cloths. 30 points
7. TOTAL 150 points

a. For dogs which have not won 3 First Prizes in Class B and Open Class C in total.

b. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel work. The dog shall be required to walk at heel work and shall also be tested at fast and slow pace. Each change of pace shall commence from the halt position 40 points
2. Send Away, Drop and Recall.   40 Points
3. Retrieve any one article provided by the Judge.   30 points
4. Sit 2 minutes, handler out of sight 20 points
5. Down 4 minutes, handler out of sight 30 points
6. Scent discrimination. The handlers scent with one decoy. There must be a minimum of 6 and up to a maximum of 10 scent cloths.  40 points
7. TOTAL 200 points

a. For Championship Class C at Championship Shows, dogs must have won out of Novice, Class A and Class B and have won Open Class C on one occasion and have been placed not lower than third on three further occasions; all Open Class C places and wins must have been won under different Judges at Kennel Club licensed shows.

b. At Open and premier Shows, and in the Open C Classes held at Championship Shows, open to all dogs.

c. At Limited Shows, open to all dogs except Obedience Certificate winners and dogs which have obtained any award that counts towards the title of Obedience Champion or the equivalent thereof under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club.

d. The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel Work. The dog shall be required to walk at heel free, and also be tested at fast and slow pace. “ The dog shall also be required, whilst walking at heel at normal pace, to be left at the Stand, Sit and Down position. 60 points
2. Send away, drop and recall. 40 points
3. Retrieve any one article provided by the Judge. 30 points
4. Distance Control.   Dog to sit, stand and down.   Six instructions to be given.   50 Points
5. Sit 2 minutes, handler out of sight 20 points
6. Down 5 minutes, handler out of sight 50 points
7. Scent discrimination. The Judge’s scent and one or more decoys. There must be a minimum of 6 and up to a maximum of 10 scent cloths.  50 points
8. TOTAL 300 points