Welcome to the World of the Saint Bernard in Obedience
The American Kennel Club's definition of Obedience: "Obedience training is the foundation upon which all canine activities are based, whether conformation, agility, tracking, search & rescue, service dogs, fieldwork, etc.
In 1933, when AKC Obedience competition began, the concept behind obedience training was is to develop a very close working relationship between human beings and dogs, while demonstrating the usefulness and enthusiasm of dogs. This concept remains as important today as it was when the program was developed.
There are several levels of obedience, such as the long-standing classes of Novice (CD), Open (CDX) and Utility (UD). A higher level of competition was added in recent years, which includes Utility Excellent (UDX) and Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH). The newest title is to be awarded to the winning dog at the National Obedience Invitational. The dog that wins this AKC National Obedience Invitational becomes the National Obedience Champion (NOC) for the year. This is the only dog that can carry that distinction.
AKC Obedience Trials were developed to foster training, as well as, to demonstrate dogs' willingness, capabilities and enjoyment of working with and very closely with humans.
The Sport of Obedience
Purpose:
Obedience Trials demonstrate the usefulness of the purebred dog as a human companion and showcase dogs that have been trained and conditioned to properly behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs.
History:
Mrs. Helen Whitehouse Walker is credited as the founder of American obedience. To prove the intelligence of her Standard Poodles, Mrs. Walker created a series of obedience exercises based on tests patterned after those held in England under sponsorship of the Associated Sheep, Police Army Dog Society. The first obedience test for all breeds of dogs was held in October 1933 in Mount Kisco, New York.
The Obedience Trial:
In 1936, approximately 200 dogs were entered in 18 licensed tests. In 1997, there were over 2,200 trials, with more than 100,000 dogs competing. Over 10,000 titles were earned by dogs of nearly all breeds.
There are three levels of obedience training, each with their own prescribed sets of exercises:
Novice Class
This is the beginner level. For the Novice level, the dog must do the following:
* Heel on leash and complete a figure eight.
* Stand for examination.
* Heel free (off the leash).
* Recall: After staying on command while the handler walks away, the dog must come and sit facing the handler, then go to heel position.
* Long Sit: While a dog sits, the handler leaves the dog and walks to the other side of the ring to face the dog. The dog must then stay for one minute, until handler is back in heel position.
* Long Down: While the dog lies down, the handler leaves the dog and goes to the other side of the ring to face the dog. The dog must then stay for three minutes, until handler is back in heel position.
Open Class
This is the intermediate level, where the dog must:
* Heel free and complete a figure eight.
* Drop On Recall: From the heel position, the handler commands the dog to stay, then leaves the dog and walks to the other side of the ring to face the dog. The handler calls the dog to come, then halfway to the handler, the dog must drop down on command. Finally, the handler recalls the dog, who sits and faces the handler as in the Novice Recall.
* Retrieve On Flat: On command the dog must retrieve a dumbbell and return to the handler.
* Retrieve Over High Jump: Dog must go over jump, retrieve dumbbell and return with it, again over the jump.
* Broad Jump: Dog must stay where left until signaled to jump over two to four hurdles (depending on the size of the dog), then dog must return to handler as in Novice Recall.
* Long Sit: Similar to above, except handler walks out of sight and the sit period is longer.
* Long Down: Similar to above, except handler walks out of sight and dog must remain down for more time.
Utility Class
This is the advanced level, where the dog must:
* Signal Exercise: Handler signals dog to Heel, Stand, Stay, Drop, Sit and Come.
* Scent Discrimination: Dog must select handler's article from among other articles by scent alone, then promptly return the right article to the handler. The dog performs this exercise twice. Once with a metal article and again with a leather article.
* Directed Retrieve: The handler instructs the dog to stay until directed to retrieve, then the dog must go to the designated glove, and retrieve it promptly.
* Moving Stand And Examination: Dog must heel, stand, and stay on command andbe examined by the judge. The handler then calls the dog to heel position.
* Directed Jumping: Dog must go away in the direction indicated by the handler, stop, jump as directed, and return as in Recall."
Obedience Links
How to get started in Obedience
The different AKC and SBCA titles and their abbreviations
The AKC Obedience Regulations, Judge’s Guidelines & Stewards Handbook
Articles in General about AKC Obedience
Articles about AKC Novice Obedience
Articles about AKC Open Obedience
Articles about AKC Utility Obedience
Articles about Judging AKC Obedience
Articles about New Thoughts and Ideas
AKC Obedience Regulations Quizzes
Ask an obedience trainer a question
Ask an AKC obedience judge a question
Current Year Statistics
Archive Database Obedience Records from 1936 (first year) to date
Upcoming Saint Bernard Performance Events
Saint Bernard Club of America Obedience Trial Guidelines
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