Obedience training and competition demonstrate a dog's willingness, capabilities and enjoyment of working very closely with its human handler and the pair generally establishes a close working relationship. Obedience skills demonstrate the usefulness and enthusiasm of dogs. Successful obedience competition takes many hours of training and is a rewarding experience. For more information on obedience competition, check out the AKC's website. Some of our local dogs are ranked in the RRCUS Obedience Top 10 for 2009. Click here for complete obedience rankings.

What is traditional AKC Obedience?

What is this new sport called Rally?

Obedience Trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. In each exercise, you must score more than 50 percent of the possible points and get a total score of at least 170 out of a possible 200. Each time your dog gets at least a 170 qualifying score, he's earned a "leg" toward his title. Earn three legs and your dog has just earned an obedience title! There are 3 levels at which your dog can earn a title and each is more difficult than the one before it. The classes are divided into "A" and "B" at an obedience trial; "A" classes are for beginners whose dogs have never received a title and "B" classes are for more experienced handlers.

Each level of obedience competition: Novice, Open, and Utility requires mastering a specific skill set, which increase in difficulty, before advancing to the next level.

Novice Class demonstrates good canine companion skills such as heeling, both with and without a leash, coming when called, standing for a simple physical examination, and staying in both a sit and a down position with a group of dogs. In Novice Class, dogs earn an AKC Companion Dog (CD) title after receiving a qualifying score under three different judges.

Open Class is more challenging as more exercises are done off leash and retrieving and jumping challenges are added. In Open Class, dogs earn an AKC Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title after receiving a qualifying score under three different judges.

Utility Class, which includes scent discrimination, directed retrieves, jumping and silent signal exercises, is the most challenging class. In Utility Class, dogs earn an AKC Utility Dog (UD) title after receiving qualifying scores from three different judges.

Upon completion of the UD title, dogs may earn the Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) by receiving 10 passing scores in both Open B and Utility B at the same show.

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AKC Rally is the new dog sport that that acts as a successful stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing. The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition

A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler. The main objective of rally 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 positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.

The three levels of competition in AKC Rally:
Novice - this is the first level for those just getting started in competition. All exercises are performed with the dog on leash. There is a requirement of 10-15 stations to complete with no more than five stationary exercises. The exercises performed vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course. Exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course.

Advanced - this is the second level, which includes more difficult exercises throughout the course. All exercises are performed off-leash. There is a requirement of 12-17 stations with no more than seven stationary exercises. Exercises include a jump as well as calling your dog to the front of you instead of to a heel position.

Excellent - this third and highest level of AKC Rally is the most challenging. Exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise. There is a requirement of 15-20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises. Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally. Physical encouragement is not allowed at this level.
The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.

Qualifying Score: All dogs and handlers begin with a perfect 100. A dog and handler team is awarded a qualifying score if it retains at least 70 points after the course has been completed. Once the team has completed the course, their score will be posted ringside.

Rally Titles: The dogs must earn three qualifying scores under two different judges in order to receive a rally title. The titles that can be earned are:

• Rally Novice: RN
• Rally Advanced: RA
• Rally Excellent: RE
• Rally Advanced Excellent: RAE

The requirement for the RAE title is that the dog must qualify ten times in both the Advanced B class and the Excellent B class at the same trial.

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