OBEDIENCE TRIALS
Goldens perform well in obedience trials as they have been bred to work
with man. They are high on the list of "trainable breeds" and
are one of the most stylish breeds to watch when working. We have an
active breed that are happiest when they are working and obedience is a
great way to occupy them whilst also making them even more enjoyable to
have around.
The awards available in Obedience and the names of the exercises are:
Novice Class Open Class Utility Class
Heel on lead Heel Free Seek back
Stand for examination Stand free for examination Directed Jumping
Heel Free Drop on recall Scent Discrimination
Stand Stay Retrieve dumbbell on flat Signal Exercise
Recall Retrieve dumbbell over high jump Speak on command,
1 min Sit Stay Broadjump or Food Refusal,
3 min Down Stay 3 min Sit Stay handler out of sight Directed Retrieve
5 min Down Stay handler out of sight Group Examination
10 min down stays handler
out of Sight
CD - Companion Dog CDX - Companion Dog Excellent UD - Utility Dog
Note that there is also an Encouragement class, which is as for
Novice except there is no heel free and no recall.
Encouragement class does not have an award; its purpose is to give
inexperienced trialers and introduction. Encouragement class is not
offered at all trials.
The exercises to be performed in Obedience Trials can be found in the
appropriate rule booklet available from the VCA for a small fee. It is
important to read the miscellaneous sections of this booklet, not just the
part applicable to the class you wish to enter. Much information relating
to your conduct in the ring is found in these sections. For each class
level there is 200 points available, you must score 170 or more to pass.
You must also get at least 50% of the allocated points for every exercise,
so you can't fail one exercise completely and make up the points somewhere
else. You need three passes under at least 2 different judges to obtain
each title.
Obedience trials have a single check in time for all entrants. You must
be checked in and have your bitch vetted (some clubs also vet dogs, make
sure you check) prior to the close of the allocated check in time. The
check in time normally closes about 30 minutes before the trial starts.
Prior to the start of the trial determine which ring you are in. Check
with the steward for your ring to see if any dogs have been scratched or
handlers are in other rings, these occurrences can dramatically change the
expected time for you to be ready with your dog. Handlers with dogs in
more than one ring can be judged out of order.
When in the ring, LISTEN very carefully to the judge and do exactly
what you are told... no more, no less!
And remember... you're out there as a team to have fun. There'll always
be another day to trial, but your relationship with your dog should never
suffer due to perceived poor performance in the ring.
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