The Sport of Obedience

The Game

Obedience is one part of the Great American Dog Show Game. You are essentially training dogs to perform standardized exercises so a judge can ascertain how close they come to perfection. Dogs who achieve minimum standards earn titles, and placements go to dogs who do it best. Some of the exercises, especially at the Novice level, relate directly to skills which make the dog a more enjoyable companion. The higher classes contain exercises which have less practical application, and people who pursue these levels generally just enjoy finding new ways to challenge their dogs and enjoy the camaraderie they develop with their canine companions.

Although you earn your titles by showing at dog shows, you do not have to have a "show quality" or breedable dog to compete in obedience; however, your dog must be recognizable as a specific breed to show at AKC shows. There are no excessive grooming requirements for participation in obedience, but in general cocker people take pride in their dogs' appearance and do make them look as good as possible.

Titles

There are three basic classes - Novice, Open and Utility. You have to qualify (pass ALL the exercises) three times in order to earn the CD (Companion Dog), CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) and UD (Utility Dog) titles respectively. Once a dog has achieved a UD title, he can try for a UDX - Utility Dog Excellent - title (which involves *passing* both Open and Utility at the same show ten different times) and/or the OTCh - Obedience Trial Championship, which is earned by *winning* Open and Utility and earning points by defeating other dogs.

Behavior Problems

Before we go on to explore the various obedience classes, it should be clarified that obedience trainers are not behaviorists. Obedience training can help develop an understanding of how to "think like a dog" and it can build a relationship with the dog so that behavior problems do not occur - or are less severe. But when there is a total reversal in the owner/dog hierarchy, the services of a specially trained behaviorist may be in order. Some excellent articles on behavior issues are found in Dr. P's Dog Training Library.