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Webmaster's note:  I asked PSLRA club member, Terrie Sato, to share a few paragraphs as to what competition obedience is all about and why anyone would ever be interested in getting involved.  Her first sentence says it all - A trained dog is a wonderful companion.  Period.  They are welcome at the relatives; a local farmers market; a hotel while traveling on vaccation; while volunteering at school, or in an assisted living home, or hospice. 

A trained dog makes dog ownership a joy -

Obedience Titles

A trained dog is a wonderful companion. A hunting dog can not work efficiently if it is not obedient. A Search and Rescue dog requires a high degree of obedience. A therapy dog is required to demonstrate a number of obedience skills. A family pet needs to be obedient to be included in family functions. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has made many performance events that encourage dog training available to purebred dog owners. All events have a foundation in dog obedience.

The most basic of all competitive dog events is the obedience competition. The objective of obedience trials as quoted from the AKC Obedience Regulations is, "to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions." Earning obedience titles builds a bond of understanding between dog and owner. The title is a reflection of that bond.

Three competitive obedience levels are recognized through obedience titles. They include the Novice level or Companion Dog   (CD) title, Open level or Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title, and the Utility level recognized by the initials UD following a dog's name. The training required for each level is built upon the preceding level. The dog is required to demonstrate its obedience skills successfully under three different judges to earn a title.

To earn a Companion Dog title a dog must be able to:

•  demonstrate an on leash heel and figure eight pattern as determined by the judge

•  stand for examination by the judge

•  demonstrate the same heel pattern off leash

•  demonstrate a prompt and direct recall to the handler

•  hold a sit for one minute with the handler across the ring

•  hold a down for three minutes with the handler across the ring

Heeling on leash shows that the dog can walk with its owner and not pull on the leash while walking. The dog must sit politely when the handler stops. The stand for exam demonstrates that the dog would be well behaved for a veterinarian exam or a groomer. Heeling off leash shows that the dog can pay attention to the owner and walk nicely even when no leash is available. A recall shows that the dog will come when called the first time. The sit and down exercises are performed in the company of other dogs and demonstrates that an obedient dog will wait patiently for its owner to return.

To earn a Companion Dog Excellent title a dog must be able to:

•  demonstrate an off leash heel pattern and figure eight

•  demonstrate a recall that includes a down halfway to the handler

•  retrieve a thrown dumbbell

•  retrieve a dumbbell thrown over a jump

•  jump a set of broad jump boards and return to the handler

•  hold a sit with the handler out of sight for three minutes

•  hold a down with the handler out of sight for five minutes

Once again it is important to establish that the dog will walk with its owner even without a leash. A recall that includes a drop on cue before reaching the handler demonstrates the handler's ability to stop a dog in the event of an emergency. For example, a dog across the street might need to be stopped before entering the road if a car is coming. When the car has passed the dog can safely finish returning to its handler. Retrieving a dumbbell demonstrates the dogs ability to fetch objects for its owner. Retrieving over a jump shows that a dog can retrieve objects even if there is an obstacle in the way. Jumping a high jump as well as a broad jump   demonstrates the physical capabilities of our athletic dogs as well as their obedience. The long sit/stays with the handler out of sight demonstrates that an owner could run a quick errand and the dog would wait patiently.

To earn a Utility title a dog must:

•  perform a heel exercise and a set of sit/down/come exercises with only signal commands

•  demonstrate scent discrimination with both a leather and a metal article

•  perform a directed glove retrieve

•  heel into a standing position and allow a thorough exam by the judge

•  go away from the handler, sit on command and be directed to take either a high jump or bar jump while returning to the handler

A dog that responds to signals is under control when a handler is not able to give a verbal command. Many aging dogs lose their hearing and signals prove useful. Dogs have incredibly powerful scenting abilities. A dog that can find a leather and metal article with its owner's scent can probably help find a lost wallet or keys. It is often useful to be able to direct a dog to pick up an object such as gloves. There are times when a working dog must be sent away from the owner. This is often seen in hunting situations when the dog is retrieving a blind. To return to a handler when there is an obstacle in the way demonstrates the highest commitment on the part of the dog to obey. A dog that can perform all of these exercises successfully is truly an all around companion or Utility Dog.

To find out more about earning obedience titles visit the AKC web site. Read the Obedience Regulations and visit the obedience rings at a dog show. Look into competitive obedience classes in your area. Dog training is habit forming and offers great rewards in a well trained companion.