Obedience Events test the training of dogs as they perform a series of prescribed exercises at the command of their handler. There are several levels of competition, ranging from basic commands such as “sit,” “come” and “heel,” to scent discrimination and directed retrieves over jumps, that are based on the dog’s level of accomplishment, and the classes are further delineated by the experience of the handler as well.

 

At 6 1/2 years old, "Pandora" was working on her UKC CD (Companion Dog) Title. To earn this Obedience Title, a dog must heel on and off lead, come when called, stand stay, sit stay and down stay. The dog is scored on each exercise and must earn at least 170 point out of a possible 200 points. Part of this test is to perform a "Recall over a Jump". The dog must come directly to the handler when called even if there are obstacles in the way.

The CD (Companion Dog) title is awarded in the novice class. The CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) is awarded in the open class, and the UD (Utility Dog) is awarded in the utility class.

"You want me to do what...?"
UKC CH Joy-A-Len's Utter Pandemonium Am CD, Can CD, UCD, ASCA CD, CGC

(See Pandora jump - move mouse over picture)

 *Update - At 8 years old, Pandora has retired from the show ring. She has a UKC Championship, her Canine Good Citizen and 4 Companion Dog titles (AKC, ASCA, CKC and UKC).

After earning a Companion Dog (CD) title, dogs can move on to the next level of obedience to earn their Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. Lord - Brooklyn VD Lage Banken Am Can CD C.G.C. (Nick) owned by Tim and Becky Robbins is currently working on his CDX title. He has earned one qualifying score and needs two more to earn his CDX title.

"Heel"

To earn a CDX title a dog must complete all work off-lead. First, dog and handler perform a heel pattern and figure 8 pattern to prove the dog will heel properly off lead beside their owner.

"Figure 8"

 

The next task is the "Drop on Recall". The dog is told to "sit - stay" at one end of the ring and the handler walk to the other end. The handler then "calls the dog", the dog should come on command. Once the dog is about half way to the handler, the judge will signal the handler to "down their dog", where upon the handler tells the dog "down". The dog should immediately stop moving and lay down. This skill is VERY helpful if your dog is out running in the yard and for some reason you want them to stop moving and lay down because of traffic for example. If your dog knows how to "down on command", no matter how far away from them you are... it could save a life. Even if you aren't working towards an obedience title, this is an important skill to teach your dog.

"Drop on Recall"

The next task is the "retrieve on flat" and "retrieve over high jump". With the dog sitting beside the handler in heel position, the handler throws a dumbbell and tells the dog to go get it and bring it back.

"Retrieve"

The dog must be able to retrieve the item with and without an obstacle in his path. The jump is approximately the same height as the dog. Nick is 24" tall and must jump 26".

"Retrieve on Flat"

"Retrieve over Jump"

The dog must jump over a broad jump. Where the the "retrieve over high jump" tests the dogs ability to jump height, the broad jump tests the dogs ability to jump distance.

"Broad Jump"

The Sit and Down Stays are more difficult in the CDX level then they are in the CD level. For CDX the dog must sit stay for 3 minutes and down stay for 5 minutes with the handler out of sight. They tell the dog to stay and walk out of the room.

"3 minute out of sight sit stay"

"5 minute out of sight down stay"

All of these tasks have a practical use at home. Even if you are not working towards a obedience title it is highly recommended that your Bouvier have some type of obedience training. It is a nice feeling when you take your dog to a friends home and they comment on your well behaved dog or you hear comments like "wow, I wish my dog would stay when I told him too!!"

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