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AKC OBEDIENCE TRIAL INFORMATION


AKC Obedience Titles and Trials

There are three levels of competition in obedience trials: Novice, Open and Utility. The class that you enter depends on what level you and your dog are in competition obedience. There are 6 titles that your dog can earn from entering those 3 classes; CD, CDX, UD, UDX, OTCH and NOC. Also see AKC Obedience Regulations to read detailed explanations and rules for each exercise.

NOVICE CLASS (to earn CD) - For the dog just getting started in obedience competitions. When a dog earns the title of Companion Dog, he has the letters CD placed after the registered name. This requires three qualifying scores from the Novice Class under three different judges. Each class has a total possible 200 points and a dog must receive at least half the points for each exercise and a total of 170 points to earn a qualifying score. Novice "A" is for new dogs and exhibitors who have never titled a dog, and Novice "B" is for new dogs just starting out. Exercises include:

  • Heel on Leash and Figure Eight: Show whether the dog has learned to watch and match the handler's pace.
  • Heel Free: Heeling off leash.
  • Stand for Examination: An exercise of great benefit when the dog needs hands-on care by a veterinarian.
  • Recall: Provides the handler with the ability to call the dog and get an immediate response at all times.
  • Long Sit (1 minute): Allows the handler to have control of the dog when visitors come to the home.
  • Long Down (3 minutes): Dog must remain in a down position.

OPEN CLASS (to earn CDX) - The second level includes more complicated exercises, which teaches the dog to do a variety of tasks and to follow commands either by voice or signal. A dog who earns the title Companion Dog Excellent will get the letters CDX placed after the registered name. This requires three qualifying scores from the Open class under three different judges. Each class has a total possible 200 points and a dog must receive at least half the points for each exercise and a total of 170 points to earn a qualifying score. Open "A" is for dogs that do not hold the title of CDX, while Open "B" is for dogs who do, or for people who have finished an obedience champion. The exercises in Open B will be in jumbled order. Exercises include:

  • Heel Free and Figure Eight: Same as Novice, but off leash.
  • Drop on Recall: Can be a lifesaving command for a dog, since it gives the handler control in potentially dangerous situations.
  • Retrieve on Flat: Dog retrieves a handler thrown dumbell on flat ground.
  • Retrieve Over High Jump: Dog retrieves handler thrown dumbell over single jump.
  • Broad Jump: Recall over a spread jump.
  • Long Sit (3 minutes): The dog must hold the position with the handler out of sight.
  • Long Down (5 minutes): Dog must remain in a down position.

UTILITY CLASS (to earn UD) - The third and highest level of obedience competition. A dog who earns the title Utility Dog will get the letters UD placed after the registered name. It requires three qualifying scores from the Utility class under three different judges. Each class has a total possible 200 points and a dog must receive at least half the points for each exercise and a total of 170 points to earn a qualifying score. Utility "A" is for dogs that do not hold the title of UD, while Utility "B" is for dogs who do, or for people who have finished an obedience champion. The exercises in Untility B will be in jumbled order. Exercises include:

  • Signal Exercise: Shows the dog's ability to understand and correctly respond to the handler's signal to stand, stay, down, sit and come. No voice commands are given; only hand signals are allowed.
  • Scent Discrimination: Shows the dog's ability to find the handler's scent among a pile of articles.
  • Directed Retrieve: Proves the dog's ability to follow a directional signal to retrieve a glove and promptly return it to the handler.
  • Moving Stand and Examination: The dog must heel, stand and stay as the handler moves away. The dog must stay and accept an examination by the judge and return to the handler on command.
  • Directed Jumping The dog must go away from the handler, turn and sit. Then, the dog must clear whichever jump its handler indicates and promptly return to the handler.

There are three additional AKC titles:

    UTILITY DOG EXCELLENT (UDX)
    A dog who has earned the Utility title and earns an additional 10 qualifying scores in both the Open Class and the Utility Class at the same trial earns the title Utility Dog Excellent and has the letters UDX placed after the registered name. Multiple UDX titles can be accumulated by repeating the above to earn UDX2, UDX3, etc.

    OBEDIENCE TRIAL CHAMPION (OTCH)
    A dog who has earned one 1st place in the Open Class, one 1st place in the Utility Class and an additional 1st place in either. To earn an OTCH title, the dog must also accumulate 100 pts earned from 1st-4th placements in either class. Number of points earned depends on the placement and the number of dogs defeated in the class.

    National Obedience Champion (NOC)
    The AKC awards this prestigious title annually to the dog that wins the AKC National Obedience Invitational. The letters NOC are placed before the dog's AKC-registered name and become part of the dog's permanent title.


Qualifying Performance
A qualifying score indicates that the dog has performed all the required exercises according to AKC Obedience Regulations and justifies the awarding of the obedience title associated with the particular class.

Qualifying Score
A dog receives a qualifying score when it earns more than 50 percent of the points for each exercise, with a total of at least 170 points. A perfect score in any class is 200.

Awards
The following colors must be used for prize ribbons or rosettes in all regular classes, and for the Highest Scoring Dog in the Regular Classes, and for the ribbon or rosette for the dog with the Highest Combined Score in Open B and Utility:

    First Prize - Blue
    Second Prize - Red
    Third Prize - Yellow
    Fourth Prize - White
    Highest Scoring Dog In the Regular Classes - Blue and Gold
    Highest Combined Score In Open B and Utility - Blue and Green
    Qualifying Score - Green Ribbon
    (All dogs that have received a qualifying score in their class receive a dark green ribbon to indicate that they have earned a qualifying score toward their title)


How Do I Get Started in Obedience?

The best advice is to START TRAINING EARLY! Training a puppy is easier than training an adult dog because a puppy is more open to new ideas and has not yet developed "bad habits."

While it's best to start young, the old saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is only partially true. It is never too late to train your dog, although it may take longer to retrain it to eliminate undesirable habits.

Most AKC clubs conduct a variety of classes instructed by trainers who have won awards in obedience competition with their own dogs, and they make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest training techniques. They have experience training all breeds of dogs and can help solve behavior problems. Most clubs accept all types of dogs, mixed breeds and purebreds, and prospective students are usually welcome to observe a class before signing up for a training course.

When you attend classes with your dog, instructors will show you how to teach it and will expect you to practice at home. The younger the dog, the shorter the practice sessions should be. For the best results, both you and your dog should enjoy frequent short sessions, combined with some play and rewards. To find AKC clubs in your area that offer training, please visit our Training Resources section.

Tips for the First-time Exhibitor

  • Register your dog with the AKC
  • Be sure your dog is current on all inoculations and health check-ups
  • Visit the AKC website to find a local obedience club
  • Attend obedience classes with your dog
  • Become familiar with the AKC Obedience Regulations
  • Attend obedience trials, and become familiar with the ring procedures
  • Don't be afraid to ask questions of experienced exhibitors
Tips for the First-time Spectator
  • Please stay at least 3 feet from the ring.
  • However tempting, do not pet a dog without first asking for and receiving permission.
  • Many obedience trials have vendors and an information booth with helpful information for the general public. Browse, gather information and ask questions.
  • Arrive early, and bring a chair. Obedience often starts very early in the morning.
  • If you have not as yet purchased your dog, speak to exhibitors about their breeds to gain knowledge of the best dog for your family. Also visit the "Buying a Puppy" section of the AKC website.
  • If you bring a baby stroller to an obedience trial, be careful not to run over any dog's tail. Be sure your child respects the dogs and does not grab or poke at them. Some crowded trials forbid baby strollers.