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UTILITY - a Basic Overview To attain a UD 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. All exercises on leash and off are performed with the dog on your LEFT side. The exercises inlcude The Signal exercise, the Scent Discrimination, the Directed Retrieve, the Directed Jumping, and the group Stand for Examination. As I mentioned earlier this is where obedience competition separates its classes. The utility title is coveted among fanciers. It is a title that requires dedication and long and hard work. It also helps to have a dog that is enjoying himself immensely. This is where proper training (over the dogs past) up to now counts the most. If the dog has been trained to be a robot and obey but is not enjoying himself, utility may be a hard title to attain. However, if handler and dog, have enjoyed each other and been lighthearted and easy with each other, utility is an attainable goal. The Signal Exercise During the first part of this exercise the "heel free" (off leash) routine is used. While heeling the judge will ask the handler to "stand" his dog and "leave him". The handler is to signal to his dog for both commands - this means only hands are used no words. (I will post a pic of these "hand" commands in the near future) The handler is to leave the dog and walk across to the other end of the ring. You then turn and face your dog. the judge instructs you to drop the dog, then sit the dog, call in the dog and finish the dog (heel position). All this is done with hand signals. If you have intentions of someday competing in utility - it is reccommended that when you first begin training (way back in novice) you begin to teach hand signals, although when competing it is faulted if you use a hand command with a voice (it is considered 2 commands - so use the signals with voice when training only). These signals have to be proper. Scent Discrimination Exercise The judge takes two articles from you (such as dumbbells) and will put them on his table. The judge tells you where to stand with the dog at heel position as he places the remaining articles on the ground. The handler and the dog should be watching. The articles (dumbbells) should be placed about six inches apart and the dog and handler are 10-15 feet away. At this point you will be asked to take an article from his table (you will show him which article you have taken so he can write it down). The handler and dog turn around so that both backs are to the articles. While you are doing this you are putting your scent on the article you have selected by rubbing it on your hand. I usually rub an article in the web of my fingers to get a good scent on them. The judge then comes up and takes the article from you (usually he will have you place it on a clipboard or a piece of paper). He then takes it to the pile of other dumbells and places it in with them. Your backs are still turned. The judge asks you to"send your dog" at which time you tell the dog to "get it" as you turn around. The dog should go happily and quickly to the pile and keep searching until he finds the article. He then brings it back to you and sits straight in front. When the judge prompts you retrieve the article and when he prompts you "finish". The exercise is completed when the judge says "exercise over". The Directed Retrieve The handler and dog will stand in the ring the dog at heel position. Three gloves will be placed at the far end of the ring from right to left being numbered (verbally) as One Two and Three). You would stand with your backs to the gloves. The judge will call "one" "two" or "three" and on command you will turn and give your dog a verbal command to heel, and you will face the called glove. then you give your dog the "directed" signal (using your arm) and saying "get it". The dog should go quickly, retrieve the item, return and sit straight in front. The judge will tell you to "take it" and then "finish". Exercise is completed when the judge says "exercise over". Directed Jumping Dog is at heel position facing jumps (about 20' away). Handler and dog are centered between jumps. At prompt you should tell your dog to "go" or "go out" and the dog should run past the jumps. Call the dogs name and tell him to "sit". he should sit where he is. You are now facing the dog across the ring. The judge will prompt which jump and you will signal the dog towards that jump and say "over" or "hup" (or whatever command you use for jump). the dog should not touch the jump and should begin to turn towards you while jumping. He should come to you and sit staight in front. When prompted to "finish" you should command the "heel". The exercise is completed when the judge instructs. Group Examination This is the last exercise. All the other exercises have been performed with the handler, dog judge and stewards only. The dogs are lined up in the ring and when the judge instructs to "stnad your dogs" the handlers do so. The judge examines each dog. He will then order ahndlers "back to your dogs" you will return, walk around the back of the dog into a heel position. Dogs should not move. The exercises is completed when the judge calls out "exercise finished". The dogs should not move until this is done. When examined they should not exhibit shyness or shift.
Utility Page is created by Carrie Pryor Last update 08/04/99 |
