Competition Obedience Curriculum
AOC’s competition obedience classes run on a continuous basis.
All the commands in Beginner and Novice Obedience Training will be taught with the dog off the leash and in high distractions.
The competition classes include the following classes, in order of progression:
- Novice Obedience
- Novice (Trial Ready)
- Open
- Utility
Novice Obedience Class
In Novice, students polish skills learned in earlier classes. The handler and dog acquire skills necessary to become a “team” and develop the foundation for the exercises in the Novice level of obedience competition. Instruction offers students the opportunity to work with instructors who will help prepare them for showing at the Novice level of competition. In this class, students work individually with the instructor on specific exercises and skills, and a variety of group exercises.
- Fronts & Finishes – First calling your dog to you, the dog will sit directly in front of you and then the dog will go behind you to sit on your left side. This is all one command.
- Precision Heel, Sit when you stop. Turn left and right staying in proper position.
- “Sit” and “Stay” with other dogs and handlers in the ring.
- Dogs must stay in position even if you are out of their sight and a distance away.
- Off leash heeling and recalls
- Sit in very high excitement. We build the dogs drive up and then give them a command one time. They must be in command and in control in less than 1 second.
- Heeling with attention.
- Automatic sits and turns while heeling
- Stand for examination
- Off-leash recalls
- Extended “sit” and “down” stays.
For Class you will need to bring the following: Your dog should be on a leash with a collar, crate, poop bag and dog treats.
Novice Class (Trial Ready)
This class is for individuals that are getting ready to show their dog in an AKC obedience trial at the Novice level. The class will concentrate on precision heeling and the fine points that will help you achieve higher scores in an obedience trial. The class offers methods that will help the dog focus on the handler and deal with distractions in the ring.
This class runs for 6 weeks and helps you work out all the kinks before a trial. The class is taught by experienced instructors who trial on a regular basis and are knowledgeable on all AKC obedience trial rules.
The Novice 3 is only for dogs that have completed Novice 2 with approval from the instructor, no exceptions. It is designed to get you ready to compete in obedience trials to polish up what you learned in Level II.
Handler skills for success in the ring
Brushing up on skills to make your dog trial ready, including stays with distractions, Stand for Exam, Finishes
For Class you will need to bring the following: Your dog should be on a leash with a collar, crate, poop bag and dog treats.
Open
Open instruction offers students who have completed or who are completing a Companion Dog title the opportunity to learn the exercises required in the Open level of obedience completion.
Off-lead heeling and Figure Eight
Drop on Recall
Retrieve on Flat
Retrieve over High Jump
Broad Jump
For Class you will need to bring the following: Your dog should be on a leash with a collar, crate, poop bag and dog treats.
Utility
Utility instruction offers students who have completed a Companion Dog Excellent title the opportunity to learn the exercises required in the Utility level of obedience competition.
Off-lead Heeling
Hand signals for Heel, Stand, Stay, Sit Down Recall and Finish
Directed Retrieve
Scent Discrimination
Moving Stand and Examination
Directed Jumping
For Class you will need to bring the following: Your dog should be on a leash with a collar, crate, poop bag and dog treats
Be sure to dress appropriately!
NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS are allowed in group classes.