OPEN Obedience Competition -

OPEN Obedience Competition - A basic overview.

To attain a CDX ( Companion Dog Excellent) one must attend 3 shows with qualifying scores - a qualifying score being 170 or more points and more than 50 percent of each exercise. The maximum - or perfect - score is 200. Each show at which your dog qualifies he receives a point also called a "leg" towards his obedience certificate.

The exercises to perform include the following for OPEN (CDX):

All exercises on leash and off are performed with the dog on your LEFT side.

The Open excercises consist of the Heel Free (or heel off leash), the figure 8 Retrieve on the flat, Jump over a broad jump, retrieve over a high jump, drop on recall, a long sit (3 mins), and a long down (out of sight - handler leaves - for five mins). In the Open Competition and training phases you will begin to teach your dog hand signals. An example of a hand signal is the "down" command. For this command you put your right hand quickly straight up (just about shoulder height) in the air palm forward (palm facing the dog) and until the dog is familiar with this command you will accompany the signal with the command "DOWN". In competition you will be expected to give one command (either voice or hand). I have seen handlers use either.

The HEEL FREE (or off leash) and the figure 8 has been discussed in the NOVICE page.

Drop on Recall

The dog is put in a sit stay position and the handler is instructed to leave his dog by the judge. Once across the ring you will face your dog. When the judge instructs, you should call your dog. The dog should come running. When the judge instructs you to down your dog (many judges will often do this by giving YOU the hand signal) you will immediately "down" your dog in mid-run. The dog should drop. again, the judge will instruct you to call your dog. You will call the dog again, and again the dog should run and sit straight in front. This exercise is ended when the judge says "finish" and at this point you will tell your dog to "heel" and the dog should come around to your left side in a heel position and sit straight at your side. You have not completed the exercise until the judge says "exercise over". You can at this point release your dog. (and praise him)

Retrieve on Flat

With the dog in a sit-stay position at your side, upon judges request you throw the dumbbell (this is a wooden dumbbell very much resembling weight lifting dumbbells - but much smaller and lighter). At judges request you send out the dog. He should retrieve the dumbbell and bring it to you to a straight sit in front. The dog should hold the dumbbell until the judge asks you to retrieve it. The dog should move briskly on the retrieve and coming back to you. Running is also correct. A slow or reluctant dog will be penalized points. This exercise is completed when the judge asks you to "finish" at which time you ask the dog to "heel" and he is to come around to your left side in a "heel" position. Again, the dog is to be released (and praised) when the judge says "exercise over".

Retrieve Over the High Jump

This exercise is similar to the Retrieve on Flat with the exception of the High Jump added in. The dog is measured at the withers (shoulder) and the jump is set accordingly. The same thing occurs. The handler should stand eight feet or more away from the jump. Do not move throughout the exercise. Your dog will begin in a sit-stay position at heel. When prompted by the judge you throw out the dumbbell over the high jump. When prompted you ask your dog to retrieve it. He should go over the jump, retrieve the dumbbell, turn around, come back over the jump and sit straight in front. You take the dumbbell when prompted by the judge. At the "finish" command you will ask your dog to finish (or heel). Do not release the dog until the judge says "exercise over". (praise)

The Broad Jump

These are 4 flat boards that look like flat hurdles. (I will post a pic of these in the near future)

You should begin this exercise with the dog at a heel position (sitting) about ten feet from the broad jump. Command the dog to stay upon the judges request. The handler should walk away from the dog and go and stand about two feet out from the sides of the jump and directly across from the third and fourth boards. When the judge instructs you should ask your dog to "over" or "jump" (or whatever command you use, so long as its only one). The dog should jump straight ahead over the boards without touching them. He should then turn and come and sit straight in front of you. When the judge instructs - you should tell your dog to finish (or "heel"). Exercise is completed when the judge says "exercise over". Praise your dog.

The Long Sit (3 mins)

See Novice chapter for discussion.

The Long Down (5 mins) - exception - handler leaves dog's visible sight.

See Novice chapter for discussion.

Last update 08/04/99