Obedience

PRE-BEGINNERS

1. To compete in Pre-Beginners a Dog must not have won a First Prize in any Class.
2. Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except in the SIT and DOWN tests. In these  tests at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs.  Judges or Stewards must not use the words
   “last command” except in the SIT and DOWN tests.
3. The detailed test will be:
   1. Heel on Lead…………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 Points
   2. Heel Free………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20 Points
   3. Recall from sit or down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog.  Dog to return smartly to the handler, sit in front, go to heel – all on command of Judge or Steward to handler.  Distance at discretion of Judge.
      Test commences when handler leaves the dog …………………………………………….. 10 Points
   4. Sit one minute, handler in sight………………………………………………………………….. 10 Points
   5. Down two minutes, handler in sight………………………………………………………… 20 Points

TOTAL                                            …..………………………………………………… 75 Points

NOVICE

1. For dogs that have not won a total of two First Prizes in Obedience Classes (Beginners excepted)
2. Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except in the SIT and DOWN tests. In these  tests, at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs.  Judge or Stewards must not use the words “last command” except in the SIT and DOWN tests.
3. The detailed tests will be:
   1. Temperament Test.  To take place before heel on lead.  Dog to be on the lead, in the Stand position, handler to stand by dog.  Judge to approach quietly from the front and run his hand gently down the dog’s back.  Judge may talk quietly to the dog to reassure it.  Any undue resentment, cringing, growling or snapping to be penalised. This is not a stand for examination or a stay test………………. ……………….. ……………….. ………………..  10 points
   2. Heel on lead…………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 points
   3. Heel free………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20 points
   4. Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary  and facing the dog.  Dog to return smartly to handler, sit in front, go to heel – all on command of Judge or Steward to handler.  Distance at discretion of Judge.  Test commences when handler leaves dog ………………………………………………………. 10 points
   5. Retrieve a dumb-bell, handlers may use their own dumb-bell……………………….15 points
   6. Sit one minute, handler in sight ………………………………………………………………. 10 points
   7. Down two minutes, handler in sight…………………………………………………………… 20 points

TOTAL……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 100 points

TEST “A”

For dogs that have not won a total of two first prizes in Test A and B or qualified in Test C.  Dogs must have  qualified in Novice to enter Test A. (b) Simultaneous command or signal will be permitted.  Extra commands or signals must be penalised.(c) The detailed tests will be:

1. Heel on lead……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15 points
   1. Temperament Test. Will take place before Heel free, Dog to be in the stand position and off the lead. Handler to stand beside dog.  Conditions as for Novice Temperament Test, except that the  test will commence with order “last command” and end with order “test finished”.  Extra commands   will be penalised.  This is not a stand for examination or stay test.. ………………………………… …………………………………………………………………… 10 points
   2. Heel free ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 25 points
   3. Recall from Sit or Down position at handler’s choice. Dog to be recalled to heel by handler, on  command of Judge or Steward, whilst owner is walking away from dog, both to continue forward  until ordered to halt. The recall and halt points to be the same for each dog and handler. Test  commences following handler’s last command to dog…………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….. 15 points
   4. Retrieve a dumb-bell. Handlers may use their own dumb-bell ……………………… 15 points
   5. Sit two minutes, handler in sight ……………………………………………………………….. 10 points
   6. Down five minutes, handler out of sight …………………………………………………….. 30 points
   7. Scent discrimination.  Handler’s scent on cloth provided by Judge.  There must be six cloths set  out in a straight line with the handler’s scent on one cloth with no decoys

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ………………………….. 30 points

TOTAL       ……………150 points

TEST “B”

For dogs that have not won two first prizes in Test B or won a first prize in Test C.  Dogs must have qualified in Test A to enter Test B.

1. One command by word or signal except in the Send Away, Drop and Recall. Extra commands or signals must be penalised.
2. The detailed tests will be:
   1. Heel Free.  The dog shall be required to walk at heel free 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. On command of Judge the handler to bring the dog to the place  indicated, set up the dog and stand upright.  On further command the handler will send the dog  in the direction indicated by the Judge.  After the dog has been dropped handler will call the dog  to heel whilst walking where directed by the Judge and both will continue forward until ordered  to halt.  No obstacle to be placed in path of dog.  Simultaneous command and signal is permitted  but as soon as dog leaves handler the arm must be dropped.  (NB. An extra command may be  simultaneous command or signal but must be penalised) ……………………………………………………………………………………… 40 points
   3. Retrieve any one article provided by the Judge but which must not in any way be injurious to the dog (excluding food or glass). The article to be picked up easily by any breed of dog in that Class and to be clearly visible to the dog.  A separate similar article to be used for each dog. Test commences following Judge or Stewards words “last command “ to the handler ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30 points
   4. Stand one minute, handler in sight………………………………………………………………. 10 points
   5. Sit two minutes, handler out of sight …………………………………………………………… 20 points
   6. Down five minutes, handler out of sight …………………………………………………….. 30 points
   7. Scent discrimination. Handler’s scent to be on cloth provided by the Judge.  There must be ten cloths with handler’s scent on one cloth with one decoy ………………………….. 30 points

TOTAL          ………………200 points

TEST “C”

Open to all dogs who have qualified in Test B

1. One command by word or signal, except in Send Away, Drop and Recall where an extra command may be simultaneous command and signal. Extra commands or signals must be penalised.
2. The detailed tests will be:
   1. Heel Work. The dog shall be required to walk at heel free and shall also be tested at fast and slow pace.  At some time during this test, at the discretion of the Judge, the dog shall be required, whilst walking at heel at normal pace, to be left at the STAND, SIT and DOWN position in any order (the order to be the same for each dog) as and when directed by the Judge.  The  handler shall continue forward alone without hesitation, and continue as directed by the Judge until reaching the dog when both shall continue forward together until halted.  Heel work may  include left about turns and figure of eight at normal and/or slow pace ………… 60 points
   2. Send Away, Drop and Recall as in Class B ……………………………………………………….. 40 points
   3. Retrieve any one article provided by the Judge, but which must not be in any way injurious to  the dog (excluding food and glass).  The article to be picked up easily by any breed of dog in   the Class and to be clearly visible to the dog.  A separate similar article to be used for each dog.  Test commences following Judge or Steward’s “last command” to handler ……………. 30 points
   4. Distant Control. Dog to Sit, Stand and Down at marked place not less than ten paces from handler, in any order on command from Judge to handler.  Six instructions to be given in the  same order for each dog.  Excessive movement, i.e. more than the body length of the dog, in any direction by the dog, having regard to its size, will be penalised.  The dog shall start the exercise  with its front feet behind a designated point.  No penalty for excessive movement in a forward  direction shall be imposed until the back feet of the dog pass the designated point

         …………………………….. 50 points

5. Sit two minutes, handler out of sight ………………………………………………………………… 20 points
6. Down ten minutes, handler out of sight ……………………………………………………………. 50 points
7. Scent discrimination. Judge’s scent on a piece of marked cloth.  Neutral and decoy cloths to be provided by the Show Executive.  The Judge shall not place his cloth in the ring himself, but it shall be placed by a Steward.  A separate similar piece to be used for each dog and the  total number of separate similar pieces of cloth from which the dog shall discriminate shall not  exceed ten.  If a dog fetches or fouls a wrong article this must be replaced by a fresh article. At open-air Shows all scent cloths must be adequately weighted to prevent them being blown about.  The method of taking scent shall be at the handlers discretion but shall not require the Judge to  place his hand on or lean towards the dog.  A separate similar piece of cloth approximately 6 inches by 6 inches but not more than 10 inches shall be available to be used for giving each  dog the scent.  Judges should use a scent decoy or decoys. Dog to be sent on Judge’s command ……………………. 50 points

TOTAL        …………..300 points