Sirius
About Dogs presents Canine Festival
Annual Obedience Matches
Saturday June 17, 2006 & Sunday, June 18, 2006
Performance Judges
Group
Sat.,
June 17th
Sun.,
June 18th
OB
Novice
TBA
TBA
OB Open
TBA
TBA
OB
Utility
TBA
TBA
OB
Rally
TBA
TBA
ENTRY FEES
Day
of Match: $8.00 each
Additional Entry same dog-$4.00
Junior. & Adult Showmanship:
$4.00
Regina Osborne
email
Purpose
Obedience trials are a sport, and all participants should be guided by the
principals of good sportsmanship both in and out of the ring. The purpose
of obedience trials is not only to demonstrate the dog’s ability to
follow specified routines in the obedience ring, but also to emphasize the
usefulness of the purebred dog as a companion to man. All contestants in a
class are required to perform the same exercises in substantially the same
way, so that the relative quality of the various performances may be compared
and scored. The basic objective of obedience trials, however, is to produce
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. The performance of dog
and handler in the ring must be accurate and correct according to these Regulations.
It is also essential, however, that the dog demonstrate willingness and enjoyment
while it is working, and that a smooth and natural handler be given precedence
over a handler moving with military precision and using harsh commands.
Section 1. Utility A Class. The Utility A class
will be for those dogs that have won the CDX title, but have not won the UD
title. Anyone who has trained or exhibited a dog that has earned an OTCH may
not enter or handle dogs in this class. Each dog will be handled by its owner
or by a member of the owner's immediate family or houselold. Owners may enter
more than one dog in this class.
Section 2. Utility B Class. The Utility B class will be for dogs that
have won the CDX or UD title. The owner or any other person may handle dogs
in this class, and owners may enter more than one dog in this class. No dog
may be entered in both Utility A and Utility B classes at any one trial.
Prior to the start of judging, the judge will decide the order of exercises
to be performed in this class. This order will not be disclosed to exhibitors
until it is posted at the ring, approximately 45 minutes before the start
of the class. In future assignments, judges are required to alternate the
six orders of exercises so that each will be used approximately the same number
of times.
Section 3. Utility A Exercises and Scores. The exercises, maximum scores
and order of judging in the Utility A class:
1. Signal Exercise - 40 points
2. Scent Discrimination Article No. 1 - 30 points
3. Scent Discrimination Article No. 2 - 30 points
4. Directed Retrieve - 30 points
5. Moving Stand and Examination - 30 points
6. Directed Jumping - 40 points
Maximum Total Score - 200 points
Section 4. Utility B Exercises and Scores. The various orders of exercises
in the Utility B class:
UTILITY I
1. Signal Exercise - 40 points
2. Scent Discrimination Article No. 1 - 30 points
3. Scent Discrimination Article No. 2 - 30 points
4. Directed Retrieve - 30 points
5. Moving Stand and Examination - 30 points
6. Directed Jumping - 40 points
UTILITY II
1. Directed Jumping - 40 points
2. Moving Stand and Examination - 30 points
3. Directed Retrieve - 30 points
4. Scent Discrimination Article No. 1 - 30 points
5. Scent Discrimination Article No. 2 - 30 points
6. Signal Exercise - 40 points
UTILITY III
1. Scent Discrimination Article No. 1 - 30 points
2. Scent Discrimination Article No. 2 - 30 points
3. Directed Retrieve - 30 points
4. Signal Exercise - 40 points
5. Moving Stand and Examination - 30 points
6. Directed Jumping - 40 points
UTILITY IV
1. Moving Stand and Examination - 30 points
2. Directed Jumping - 40 points
3. Signal Exercise - 40 points
4. Directed Retrieve - 30 points
5. Scent Discrimination Article No. 1 - 30 points
6. Scent Discrimination Article No. 2 - 30 points
UTILITY V
1. Directed Retrieve - 30 points
2. Scent Discrimination Article No. 1 - 30 points
3. Scent Discrimination Article No. 2 - 30 points
4. Directed Jumping - 40 points
5. Signal Exercise - 40 points
6. Moving Stand and Examination - 30 points
UTILITY VI
1. Directed Retrieve - 30 points
2. Signal Exercise - 40 points
3. Directed Jumping 40 points
4. Moving Stand and Examination - 30 points
5. Scent Discrimination Article No. 1 - 30 points
6. Scent Discrimination Article No. 2 - 30 points
Section 5. UD Title. The American Kennel Club will issue a Utility
Dog certificate for each registered dog, that has been certified by three
obedience trial judges as having received qualifying Utility scores at three
licensed or member obedience trials. The letters UD may then be used after
the dog's name.
Section 6. Signal Exercise. The principal features of this exercise
are the ability of dog and handler to work as a team while heeling, and the
dog's correct response to the signals to stand, stay, down, sit and come.
Orders are the same as in the Novice Heel on Leash, except for the judge's
order to "Stand your dog." This order will only be given when dog
and handler are walking at a normal pace, and will be followed by the order
"Leave your dog." The judge must use signals for directing the handler
to signal the dog to down, sit, come (in that sequence) and to finish.
Heeling will be done as in the Heel Free, except that the handler may use
signals only and must not speak to his or her dog at any time during this
exercise.
While the dog is heeling at one end of the ring, the judge will order the
handler to "Stand your dog." On further order to "Leave your
dog," the handler will signal the dog to stay, go to the other end of
the ring, turn and face the dog. On the judge's signal, the handler will give
the signals to down, sit, come and finish as in the Novice Recall.
Section 7. Signal Exercise, Scoring. A dog that fails the handler's
first signal to stand, stay, down, sit, come, or that receives a command from
the handler to do any of these parts of the exercise, must receive a non-qualifying
(NQ) score.
Depending on the specific circumstances, minor or substantial deductions will
be made for a dog that walks forward on the stand, down or sit portions of
the exercise. The deduction could be up to a NQ.
A substantial deduction will be made for any audible command during the heeling
or finish portions of the exercise. All applicable penalties listed under
the Heel on Leash and the Novice Recall exercises will apply.
Section 8. Scent Discrimination. The principal features of these exercises
are the selection of the handler's article from among the other articles by
scent alone, and the prompt delivery of the right article to the handler.
The judge will ask, "What method will you be using to send your dog?"
The handler must respond with either "After a sit," or "Send
directly." The judge will then ask "Are you Ready?" immediately
prior to taking the article from the handler. This taking of the article will
be considered to be the first order and scoring of the exercise will begin
at that time. The remaining orders are "Send your dog," "Take
it," and "Finish."
In each of these two exercises the dog must select and retrieve an article
that has been handled by its handler. The dog must make this selection based
on scent alone.
The articles will be provided by the handler and will consist of two sets,
each comprised of five identical objects, which may be items of everyday use.
The size of the articles will be proportionate to the size of the dog. One
set must be made entirely of rigid metal and one of leather, designed so that
only a minimum amount of thread or other material is visible. The articles
in each set will be legibly numbered with a different number, and must be
approved by the judge.
The handler will present all 10 articles to the judge, who will make a written
note of the numbers of the two articles he or she has selected. These articles
will be placed on a table or chair within the ring until the handler picks
each up separately. The judge or steward will handle each of the remaining
8 articles while randomly arranging them on the floor or ground about 6 inches
apart. The closest article should be about 20 feet from the handler and dog.
Before the dog is sent, the judge must make sure that the articles are visible
to both dog and handler, and that they are far enough apart so that there
will be no confusion of scent among articles.
After the articles have been put out, the handler and dog will turn around
and will remain facing away until the judge has given the order, "Send
your dog." The handler may use either article first, but must hand it
to the judge immediately when ordered. The judge will make certain the handler
scents each article with his or her hands only.
On the judge's order, the handler will place his or her article on the judge's
book or work sheet. Without touching that article, the judge will place it
among the others.
On order from the judge to "Send your dog," the handler may give
the command to heel and will turn in place, either right or left, to face
the articles. The handler will come to a halt with the dog sitting in the
heel position. The handler will then give the command or signal to retrieve.
Handlers may, on order from the judge to "Send your dog," do a right
about-turn, simultaneously giving the command or signal to retrieve. In this
case, the dog must not assume a sitting position, but will go directly to
the articles. Handlers have the option as to how the dog is sent.
The handler may give his or her scent by extending the palm of one hand in
front of the dog's nose, or gently touching the dog's nose, but the arm and
hand must be returned to a natural position before they turn and face the
articles.
The dog should go directly to the articles at a brisk trot or gallop. It may
take any reasonable time to select the right article, but must work continuously.
After picking up the right article, the dog will complete the exercise as
in the Retrieve on Flat. This procedure should be followed for both articles.
If a dog retrieves the wrong first article, that article and the correct one
must be removed. They will be placed on the table or chair and the next exercise
will be done with one less article.
Section 9. Scent Discrimination, Scoring. A dog that retrieves a wrong
article or that does not complete the retrieve of the right article, or that
does not follow the correct method to turn as specified to the judge, must
receive a non-qualifying (NQ) score.
Depending on the circumstances, minor or substantial deductions should be
made for a dog that is slow, or does not go directly to the articles, or does
not work continuously, or for excessive motions by the handler in turning
toward the articles. Similar deductions will be made for a dog that picks
up the wrong article even though it is immediately put down again, or for
any roughness by the handler in giving his or her scent to the dog, or for
the handler not turning in place. There should be no penalty for a dog that
takes a reasonably long time examining the articles provided it is working
continuously.
All applicable penalties listed under the Novice Recall and the Retrieve on
Flat will apply.
Section 10. Directed Retrieve. The principal features of this exercise
are that the dog stays until directed to retrieve, that it goes directly to
the designated glove and retrieves it promptly. In this exercise the handler
will provide three cotton work gloves which are predominately white. They
must be open and must be approved by the judge. The handler will stand with
his or her back to the unobstructed end of the ring midway between and in
line with the jumps, with the dog sitting in heel position. The judge or steward
will drop the gloves across the end of the ring while the handler and dog
are facing the opposite direction. One glove is dropped about 3 feet in from
each corner and the remaining glove is dropped in the center, about three
feet from the end of the ring.
The gloves will be designated "One," "Two" or "Three"
reading from left to right when the handler is facing the gloves. The orders
for the exercise are "One," "Two" or "Three,"
"Take it," and "Finish." When the judge designates the
glove by number, the handler will turn in place to face the glove, halting
with the dog sitting in heel position. The handler may not touch the dog or
reposition it. The handler will give the dog the direction to the designated
glove with a single motion of the left hand and arm along the right side of
the dog. Either simultaneously with or immediately following giving the direction,
the handler must give a verbal retrieve command. The dog must then go directly
to the glove, completing the exercise as in the Retrieve on Flat.
The handler may bend the body and knees as far as necessary to give the direction
to the dog, but must then stand up in a natural position with his or her arms
at the sides.
The judge should decide how to assign the gloves so that each glove will be
used approximately the same number of times.
Section 11. Directed Retrieve, Scoring. A non-qualifying (NQ) score
is required for any commands or signals to position the dog after the handler
turns to face the glove, or a dog that does not go directly to the designated
glove, or does not retrieve the correct glove. A handler who does not give
a verbal command to retrieve simultaneously or immediately after giving the
direction to retrieve, must receive a non-qualifying (NQ) score.
A substantial deduction, depending on the extent, will be made for a handler
who does not turn in place or does not face the designated glove. The substantial
deduction may include a non-qualifying (NQ) score.
All applicable penalties listed under the Novice Recall and the Retrieve on
Flat will apply.
Section 12. Moving Stand and Examination. The principal features of
the exercise are that the dog heel, stand and stay as the handler moves away,
accept the examination without shyness or resentment, and return to the handler
on command.
Orders for the exercise are "Forward," "Stand your dog,"
and "Call your dog to heel."
The handler will stand with the dog sitting in heel position at a point indicated
by the judge. The judge will ask, "Are you ready?" and then order
"Forward." The handler will command or signal the dog to heel. After
the handler has proceeded about 10 feet, the judge will say "Stand your
dog." Without pausing, the handler will command and/or signal the dog
to stand, and continue forward about 10 - 12 feet. He or she will then turn
either to the right or left to face the dog, which must stand and stay in
position.
The judge will approach the dog from the front to examine it as in dog show
judging. The exam will not include either the teeth or testicles.
When the judge orders "Call your dog to heel," the handler will
command and/or signal the dog to return to the heel position. The dog should
return to heel position in a brisk manner.
Section 13. Moving Stand and Examination, Scoring. A non-qualifying
(NQ) score is required for a dog that does any of the following: Displays
fear or resentment, moves from the place where it was left, sits or lies down
before it is called, growls or snaps, repeatedly whines or barks, fails to
heel, stand, stay, accept the judge's examination or fails to return to the
handler.
Depending on the circumstances, minor or substantial deductions must be made
for a dog that moves his or her feet repeatedly while remaining in place,
or for a dog that returns to the handler as defined in the Novice Recall,
but not to heel position.
Depending on the extent, minor or substantial penalties should be made for
the handler who hesitates or pauses while giving the stand command and/or
signal. All appropriate penalties of the Novice Heel Free, Stand for Examination
and Recall exercises will apply.
Section 14. Directed Jumping. The principal features of this exercise
are that the dog goes away from the handler to the opposite end of the ring,
stops, jumps as directed and returns as in the Novice Recall. The orders are
"Send your dog," "Bar," "High," and "Finish."
The jumps will be placed midway in the ring at right angles to the sides of
the ring, and about 18 to 20 feet apart. The judge must see that the jumps
are set at the required height for each dog, as described in the Retrieve
Over High Jump.
The handler will stand in the approximate center of the ring with the dog
sitting in heel position, about 20 feet from the jumps and mid-way between
them. After the judge asks "Are you ready?", he or she will command
and/or signal the dog to go forward at a brisk trot or gallop to a point about
20 feet past the jumps and in the approximate center of the unobstructed end
of the ring. When the dog reaches this point, the handler will give a command
to sit. The dog must stop and sit with its attention on the handler, but need
not sit squarely.
The judge will order either "Bar" or "High" for the first
jump and the handler will command and/or signal the dog to return to the handler
over the designated jump. While the dog is in midair, the handler may turn
to face the dog as it returns. The dog will sit in front of the handler and,
on order from the judge, finish as in the Novice Recall. After the dog has
returned to heel position, the judge will say, "Exercise finished."
When the dog is set up for the second half of this exercise, the judge will
ask "Are you ready?" before giving the order for the second part
of the exercise. The same procedure will be followed for the second jump.
It is optional which jump the judge first indicates, but both jumps must be
included, and the judge must not designate the jump until the dog has reached
the far end of the ring.
The height of the jumps and construction of the high jump will be the same
as required in the Open classes. The bar jump will consist of a bar between
2 and 2½ inches square with the edges rounded to remove any sharpness. The
bar will be painted flat black and white in alternate sections of about 3
inches each. The bar will have the weight of wood. It will be supported by
two unconnected 4 foot upright posts about 5 feet apart, and must be adjustable
for each 2 inches of height from 8 inches to 36 inches. The jump must be built
so that the bar may be knocked off without affecting the uprights.
Section 15. Directed Jumping, Scoring. A dog will receive a non-qualifying
(NQ) score if it: Anticipates the handler's command and/or signal to go out,
fails to leave the handler, does not go out between the jumps, does not stop
and remain at least 10 feet past the jumps, is given a second command to sit,
anticipates the handler's command and/or signal to jump, returns over the
wrong jump, knocks the bar off the uprights, or uses the top of any jump for
aid in going over.
Substantial deductions will be made for a dog that does not stop on command,
that does not stop in the approximate center of the ring about 20 feet past
the jumps, that does not sit, or for a dog that anticipates the handler's
command to sit.
Depending on the extent, minor or substantial deductions will be made for
slowness in going out, for touching the jumps, or for any hesitation in jumping.
All applicable penalties of the Novice Heel Free and Recall exercises will
apply.
