Competitive Obedience Newfies can excel in the competitive Obedience ring. Like any type of training it takes practice, patience and confidence. There has been many years where a Newfoundland has been in the top 10 of Obedience dogs in Canada!
Levels of CompetitionThe Canadian Kennel Club has organized obedience trials and award titles for the three main levels of testing. The titles are (CD, CDX & UD) Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent and Utility Dog, also known as Novice, Open and Utility. These titles are to be following a dogs name but once a dog earns its "UD" it is entitled to place "OTCH", Obedience Trial Champion, before its name. A dog is entitled to use these titles once it qualifies in three obedience trials and under at least two different judges. The CKC have added other classes before, in the middle and after these three. Pre-Novice (PCN) before Novice, Novice Intermediate (CDI) before Open and Master Obedience Trial Champion (MOTCH) and Grand Master Obedience Trial Champion (GMOTCH) after Utility. Novice (Companion Dog, CD)
Heel On-Leash: In the Novice Classes, the handler shall enter the ring with the dog on a loose leash and shall stand still, at the starting position, with the dog sitting at heel position until the judge asks if the handler is ready. The judge then gives the order "Forward", at which order the handler may give the command or signal to heel, and at the same time start walking briskly with the dog on a loose leash. The dog shall walk close to the left side of the handler without forging, lagging or crowding, permitting the handler freedom of motion at all times. At each order to "Halt", the handler will stop and the dog should sit smartly at heel without command or signal. It is permissible after each halt, before moving again, for the handler to give the command or signal to heel. Any tightening or jerking of the leash or any act, signal, or command which in the opinion of the judge gives the dog unnecessary or unfair assistance shall be penalized. The orders, "Forward", "Halt", "Right Turn", "Left Turn", "About Turn", "Slow", "Normal", and "Fast", may be given in any sequence and may be repeated if necessary. On the Slow and Fast pace, handler and dog must significantly change pace from Normal. In executing the About Turn, the handler will do a Right About Turn in all cases. After the completion in the heeling exercise, the judge will say "Exercise Finished" and "Are You Ready?" before the start of the Figure 8. In the Figure 8 exercise, the handler with the dog on a loose leash shall walk briskly around and between the 2 stewards who shall stand about 2.44m (8') apart. The handler and dog shall go twice completely around the Figure 8 with at least one halt during and another at the end of the exercise.
Stand for Exam: On order from the judge to "Stand Your Dog and Leave When Ready", the handler will stand and/or pose his dog and without further orders from the judge, will give the command and/or signal to "Stay", walk away in front of the dog to the end of a 1.83m (6') loose leash, turn and face the dog. The method by which the do is made to stand or pose is optional. The handler may take any reasonable time in posing the dog before deciding to give the command and/or signal to stay. The leash shall be held clear of the floor when the handler is in position. The judge will approach from the front and touch the dog's head, body, and hindquarters only and then will give the order, "Back to Your Dog", whereupon the handler will walk around behind the dog and return to the heel position. The dog shall remain in a standing position until the judge says "Exercise Finished". Heel Free: The orders and scoring for this exercise shall be the same as for the Heel on Leash. This exercise shall be done in the same manner as the Heel on Leash except that there shall be no Figure 8 and the dog is off leash. The leash shall be left on the judge's table for all work done in the Heel Free exercise.
Recall: In this exercise, upon order or signal from the judge to "Leave Your Dog", the handler will give the dog the command and/or signal to stay in the sitting position, leave the dog, and go about 12.19m (40'), turn and face the dog. Upon order or signal from the judge, "Call Your Dog", the handler will call or signal the dog which must come straight in at a brisk pace, sitting straight in front of the handler, close enough so that he can readily touch the dog's head without moving either foot or having to stretch forward. Upon order or signal from the judge "Finish", the dog on command or signal should go smartly to heel. In the Finish the method in which a dog goes to heel should be the option of the handler, providing it is done smartly.
Group Sit and Down Stay: In the Long Sit all the competing dogs in a class take the exercise together, except that if there are more than 8 dogs, they are split into groups of not more than 8. Each group will be judged immediately following their individual exercises. Where the same judge does both Novice A and B Classes, the separate classes may be combined. The dogs shall enter the ring on leash, and must line up in catalogue order along one side of the ring. Handlers' armbands, weighted with leashes, shall be placed behind the dogs. On order from the judge to "Sit Your Dogs", the handlers shall sit their dogs and on further order from the judge to "Leave Your Dogs", the handlers shall give the command and/or signal to stay and immediately leave their dogs, go to the opposite side of the ring, and line up facing their respective dogs. The judge shall take a position in the ring where both the dogs and handlers can be observed. After one minute from the time the order to "Leave Your Dogs" was given, the judge will order the handlers "Back to Your Dogs", whereupon the handlers must return promptly to their dogs, each walking around behind his own dog to the heel position. The dogs should not move from the sitting position until the judge says "Exercise Finished". The Long Down is done in the same manner as the Long Sit except that instead of sitting the dogs, the handlers, on orders from the judge will Down their dogs by command and/or signal. The time for this exercise shall be 3 minutes. The dog should stay in the down position until after the judge says "Exercise Finished".
Open (Companion Dog Excellence CDX)Heel Free: The orders and scoring for this exercise shall be the same as for the Heel on Leash. Heeling in both Novice Classes and Open Classes is done in the same manner except that all Open Class exercises are done off leash, including the Figure 8.
Drop on Recall: In the Recall exercise, upon order or signal from the judge to "Leave Your Dog", the handler will give his dog the command and/or signal to stay in the sitting position, leave the dog, and go about 12.19m (40'), turn and face the dog. Upon order or signal from the judge to "Call Your Dog", the handler will call or signal the dog which must come straight in at a brisk pace. While the dog is in motion, upon order or signal from the judge, or at a pre-designated point, the handler will command or signal the dog to drop. Upon further order or signal from the judge to "Call Your Dog", the handler will call or signal the dog, which must rise and come straight, at a brisk pace, sitting straight in front of the handler, close enough so that the handler can readily touch the dog's head without moving either foot or having to stretch forward. Upon order or signal from the judge to "Finish", the dog on command or signal should go smartly to heel. In the Finish the method by which a dog goes to heel shall be optional with the handler providing it is done smartly. The judge may designate the point at which the dog is to drop, by some marker, placed in advance which will be clear to the handler but not obvious to the dog; or the judge may give the handler a signal for the drop, but such signal must be given in such a way as not to attract the dog's attention. The dog will be judged on the promptness of its response to the command or signal to drop and not on its proximity to a designated point. Retrieve on Flat: In Retrieving the Dumbbell on the Flat, the orders given by the judge shall be "Throw It", whereupon the handler may give the command and/or signal to stay and shall throw the dumbbell. The next order shall be to "Send Your Dog", whereupon the handler gives a command or signal to the dog to retrieve the dumbbell. The next order shall be to "Take It", whereupon the handler may command the dog to give it up, then takes it. Upon order or signal from the judge to "Finish", the dog on command or signal should go smartly to heel. The retrieve should be executed at a brisk pace, without unnecessary mouthing or playing with the dumbbell. The dog shall sit straight immediately in front of the handler and close enough for the handler to take the dumbbell without moving either foot or having to stretch forward. The dumbbell shall be made of any rigid or hard material other than metal and must be approved by the judge. It may be painted or varnished but shall have no decorations or attachments. The size of the dumbbell shall be proportionate to the size of the dog. The dumbbell shall be thrown approximately 6.10m (20 feet). If the dumbbell is thrown unsatisfactorily, the judge may request a re-throw. Retrieve Over High Jump: The Retrieve Over High Jump is executed in the same manner as the Retrieve on the Flat, except that the dog must jump the high jump. The handler must stand a minimum of 2.44m (8') from the high jump and remain in the same position throughout the exercise. The dumbbell must be thrown a distance of at least 2.44m (8') beyond the jump. The high jump shall be as nearly as possible the height of the dog at the withers, or 90cm (36"), whichever is less except for dogs of breeds listed in Appendix C, for which the jump shall be as nearly as possible three quarters their height at the withers. The judge and handler are responsible for making sure the dog jumps the correct height. The principal features of this exercise are that the dog, on command or signal, jumps the High Jump, retrieves the dumbbell and returns over the jump to the handler.
Broad Jump: In the Broad Jump, the handler will stand with the dog at the heel position at least 2.44m (8') from and in front of the jump. When set up, the jump shall be spaced so as to cover a distance equal to twice the height of the high jump, as set for the particular dog, with the low side of each hurdle and the lowest hurdle nearest the dog. See Appendix "C" and "D" for the list and heights for specific breed exceptions. On order from the judge to "Leave Your Dog", the handler will give the dog the command and/or signal to stay and go to a position facing the right side of the jump about 61cm (2') from the jump, and within the range of the first and last hurdle. On order from the judge, the handler shall give the command or signal to jump and the dog should clear the entire width of the broad jump without touching it and, without further command or signal, return to a sitting position straight in front of the handler as in the Recall. The handler shall change position while the dog is in mid-air by executing a right turn. Upon order from the judge, "Finish", the dog, on command or signal, should go smartly to heel.
Group Sit and Down: The Long Sit and Long Down exercises in the Open Classes are performed in the same manner as in the Novice Classes, except that after leaving their dogs the handlers must immediately leave the ring and go to a place designated by the judge out of sight of their dogs, where they must remain until the time limit of 3 minutes for the Long Sit and 3 minutes for the Long Down (from the time the judge gave the order to "Leave Your Dogs"), has expired.
Utility (UD)
Seek Back: In the Seek Back, the handler will stand with the dog in the heel position and, on order from the judge, will signal or command the dog to walk at heel and then, on specific order or signal from the judge, will execute such portions of the heel free exercise as the judge may order. On order from the judge to "Drop It", the handler will surreptitiously drop the glove while walking with the dog at heel. The glove must be plain and dark, must be approved by the judge, and must be carried in the right hand. After the handler and the dog have proceeded at least 9.14m (30') following the dropping of the glove, on order or signal from the judge, the handler will turn and halt, facing the end of the ring where the glove was dropped. Then, on order or signal from the judge, the handler will give the command to seek and retrieve the glove. The handler must not point to the glove, but may point in the direction of the trail, and he is to remain in the place from which the dog is sent. The dog may retrieve either by sight or scent and is expected to pick up the glove, smartly return to the handler, and sit in front of the handler holding the glove. Upon order from the judge "Take It", the handler may command the dog to give it up, then the handler takes it. Upon order or signal from the judge, "Finish", the dog on command or signal should go smartly to heel. Scent Discrimination: Scent Discrimination consists of 2 separate exercises in which the dog must select by scent and retrieve an article that has been handled by the handler. The articles shall be provided by the handler and shall consist of 3 sets, each of 5 identical articles; one set each of wood, metal and leather. The articles in each set must be legibly numbered 1 through 5. When 2 trials are held on one day, an additional set of articles numbered 1 through 5 or articles numbered 6 shall be substituted for the articles used in the first trial. The handler shall present all the articles to the judge, who shall select 2 articles, 1 from any 2 of the 3 sets. These 2 articles shall be placed on the judge's table or a chair until the judge orders the handler to "Take An Article". The remaining 13 articles are placed in full view, about 4.57m (15') in front of the handler and the dog, about 15.24cm (6") apart and may be handled by the steward or judge. After the articles are placed, the handler will turn his back to the articles. When ordered by the judge, the handler will chose one of the 2 designated articles. The handler should confirm the number of the articles with the judge and one steward. The handler, with hands remaining in sight, imparts his scent to the article. When ready or when requested by the judge the handler will put the scented article on the judge's book or clipboard, and the judge will place it among the other articles. Taking the article from the handler will be considered the first order, and scoring of the exercise will begin at that time. The judge will then give the order "Send Your Dog". The handler may either give the dog the command or signal to heel, execute a right about turn, stop to face the articles (at which point the dog sits at heel), and then give the command or signal to retrieve. Or, the handler may give the command or signal to retrieve before executing the right about turn towards the articles. The method by which the handler sends the dog must be the same for both articles. In either case, the handler may give the dog his scent by cupping the palm of one hand in front of the dog's nose before giving the command or signal to retrieve. However, the hand must be returned to a normal position before the command or signal to retrieve is given. The dog shall go briskly to the articles, but may take a reasonable time to select the right article provided the dog works continuously. After finding and picking up the right article, the dog should bring it briskly to the handler. The exercise is completed as in the retrieve exercises. The same procedure is followed in each of the 2 Scent Discrimination exercises. Should a dog retrieve a wrong article in any of the 2 exercises, the article shall be placed on the judge's table or chair and the handler's article must also be removed from the remaining articles. At the close of these exercises, the articles shall be picked up and returned to the judge's table.
Signal Exercise: In the Signal Exercise the heeling is done in the same manner as the Heel Free exercise except that throughout the entire exercise the handler uses signals only and must not speak to the dog at any time. On order or signal from the judge, "Forward", the handler signals the dog to walk at heel and then, on specific order from the judge in each case, the handler and the dog execute a "Left Turn", "Right Turn", "About Turn", "Halt", "Slow", "Fast", "Normal". These orders may be given in any sequence and may be repeated if necessary. On order from the judge, the handler signals the dog to "Stand" in the heel position near the end of the ring. The signal to Stand the dog must be given while the handler and dog are heeling at a Normal pace. On further order from the judge to "Leave Your Dog", the handler signals the dog to stay, goes to the far end of the ring, and turns to face the dog. Then, on specific signals from the judge, the handler signals the dog to drop, to sit, to come and to finish, after which the judge will say "Exercise Finished". All signals must be given smartly with one single gesture, with either arm and hand only.
Moving Stand and Exam: The judge will ask "Are Your Ready?" and shall give the order "Forward". The handler may command or signal the dog to heel, and walk at a normal pace. After the handler has proceeded about 3.05m (10'), the judge will order "Stand Your Dog". The handler will, without pausing command and/or signal the dog to stand and continue forward about 3.05m - 3.66m (10'-12') and turn around either to the right or left, and stand facing the dog. The dog must stand and stay in position. The judge will approach the dog from the front to examine the dog as in conformation judging by going over it with his hands, except that the judge shall not open the dog's mouth or touch the dog's testicles. The judge will order, "Call Your Dog", whereupon the handler will command or signal the dog to come. The dog will come at a brisk pace and sit in front of the handler, and on further command from the judge, the handler will command or signal the dog to go promptly to heel position beside the handler.
Directed Jumping: In the Directed Jumping exercise, the jumps shall be placed mid-way in the ring at right angles to the sides of the ring, not less than 4.27m (14') apart. The bar jump is to be placed on one side and the high jump on the other side. The jump shall be jumped clear and the jumps shall be as nearly as possible to the height of the dog at the withers, or 90cm (36"), whichever is less, except for the breeds and heights listed in Appendix "C" and "D". The handler will stand with the dog at heel position on the center line of the ring about 6.09m (20') from the line of the jumps. On order from the judge, "Send Your Dog", the handler commands and /or signals the dog to go forward at a brisk pace between the jumps to the other end of the ring to an equal distance beyond the jumps and in the approximate center where the handler stops the dog by command. Whereupon, the dog should stop, turn and sit, with its attention on the handler. The dog need not sit squarely at this point. The judge will then designate which jump (bar jump or high jump) is to be taken first; whereupon, the handler commands and/or signals the dog to return over the designated jump. The signal must be a single gesture with one arm and hand only, and the arm must be promptly returned to its normal position. While the dog is in mid-air, the handler may turn to face the dog as it lands. The dog shall sit in front of the handler and finish as in the recall exercise. When the dog is in heel position for the second part of the exercise, the judge will ask "Are Your Ready?" before giving the order "Send Your Dog" for the second jump. The same procedure is to be followed for the opposite jump. It is the judge's option which jump he designates to be taken first but both jumps must be taken to complete the exercise. |
