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Dog Obedience Exercises at AthleticDogs.com

Obedience Skills & Exercises

The actions that the dog must perform in obedience, known as exercises, are well-defined by the sanctioning organizations. As the dog progresses from novice to advanced competition, more exercises are added and they become more challenging. The handler can select his or her own commands to achieve the same actions, and both verbal and nonverbal signals are used.

The basic exercises used in Competition Obedience are:

Recall

Recall is basically the come command. The dog is left in a sit and stay position on one side of the   ring while the handler proceeds to the other side of the ring and turns to face the dog. On the judge’s command, the handler calls or signals to the dog and the dog must come directly to the handler at a trot or gallop and sit squarely in front of the handler. The judge will then order the handler to finish and the handler must call or signal the dog to sit in heel position.

Drop on Recall

The dog is left in a sit and stay position on one side of the ring while the handler proceed to the other side. On the judge’s order, the handler recalls the dog. As the dog is returning to the handler, the judge will signal and the handler must command the dog to drop (lie down) immediately. The dog must hold the down position until called or signaled to come again, then finish as in the recall exercise. This exercise is first used in the Open class.

Heel

The dog and handler must walk a predetermined path that includes one left, one right, and one about turn; a fast and slow section; and at least one halt. The dog must remain in heel position and automatically sit at heel whenever the handler stops. The Heel exercise is performed twice in Novice class, once on-leash and once off, once in Open class, and once in Utility class as a part of the signal exercise.

Figure 8

The Figure 8 exercise is performed both on-leash and off in both the Novice and Open classes. The Figure 8 is performed like the heel on leash but around two cones in a figure eight pattern.

Stand for Exam

Starting in heel (then sit) position, the handler commands the dog to stand and stay, then moves away from the dog. The judge then examines the dog, touching the head, shoulders, and hips. Once the exam is complete, the judge instructs the handler to return to the dog and to the heel position. In Utility, the SFE is modified as a Moving Stand where the dog moves directly from heeling to standing, without the sit. The judge then performs a more thorough exam and the dog again returns to the heel position.

Long Sit/Long Down

At an Obedience trial, these exercises will be performed by groups of dogs simultaneously. At the Novice level, the sit must be held for one minute and the down for three. The times for the Open level are three and five minutes, respectively. The exercise is performed by the handler commanding or signaling the dog to sit or down position and to stay, then the handlers walk across the ring (Novice)or out of sight (Open). At the end of the time, the judge orders the handlers to return to the heel position by walking around their dogs.

Retrieve On Flat

This Open class exercise requires the dog to begin in heel position. On the judge’s order, the handler commands or signals the dog to sit then throws an approved dumbbell at least 20 feet. On the judge’s order, the handler then commands the dog to fetch and the dog must go quickly to the dumbbell, retrieve it, and return to sit directly in front of the handler. On the judge’s order, the handler gives the release command and takes the dumbbell from the dog and commands the dog to finish (return to the heel position).

Retrieve Over High Jump

Same as retrieve on flat, except the handler begins by standing in front of a solid jump as tall as the dog’s shoulder height. The handler tosses the dumbbell over the jump and the dog retrieves by jumping over, fetching the dumbbell, and jumping back over the jump. Again, the finish closes the exercise.

Recall Over Broad Jump

This Open class exercise begins with the dog and handler in heel position about 8 feet from the broad jump. On the judge’s order, the handler commands or signals the dog to stay and moves to the right side of the jump. When the judge hollers “Call your dog!”, the handler commands or signals the dog to jump over the broad jump. The dog must clear the jump, return to the handler, and sit squarely in front of him or her until instructed to finish (return to heel).

Directed Retrieve

This Utility class exercise involves three gloves placed on one side of the ring while the dog and handler face the opposite direction. On the judge’s order, handler and dog turn to face the glove indicated by the judge and the dog is sent to retrieve the correct glove.

Scent Discrimination

In this Utility class exercise, an approved set of articles must be used – 5 numbered metal objects and 5 numbered leather objects, usually dumbbells. The judge selects one of each and the ring steward places the rest on the ground about 20 feet away, out of sight of the dog (both dog and handler are turned away). The handler then marks (scents) the selected articles using his or her hands and the judge places one among the other articles. On the judge’s command, the handler turns and sends the dog who must retrieve the scented article. The exercise is performed twice – once for each scented article.

Directed Jumping

This Utility class exercise is set up with two jumps (a high jump and a bar jump), set about 18 to 20 feet apart. The handler begins centered between the two jumps and about 20 feet away from them. On the judge’s order, the handler sends the dog to the other end of the ring (about 20 feet past the jumps) to a sit position (facing the handler). The judge then orders Bar or High and the handler commands the dog to return to him or her over the appropriate jump. The dog must clear the jump and sit directly in front of the handler, then follow the command to finish. The process is then repeated for the other jump. This exercise is often referred to as go outs.

Signal

This Utility exercise tests the dogs’ ability to follow non-verbal commands. The handler gives the dog the signal to heel and the team follows the judge’s heeling pattern. On the judge’s order, the handler will signal to the dog to stand and stay while the handler crosses the ring. Again, on the judge’s order, the handler signals the dog to down, sit, and come. As always, the exercise ends with the finish (return to heel).

Moving Stand

This Utility exercise requires the dog to stop in a standing position and stay while the handler continues moving away (about 10 feet) and turns to face the dog. The judge then examines the dog and orders the handler to recall the dog to heel position.

 

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