Obedience Classes

For 4-H’ers who have not previously trained a dog. The dogs in this class must not have graduated beyond the Beginner level. All exercises (Heel on Leash, Figure 8; Sit for Exam; Sit Stay (30 sec. – 1 min.), Recall) will be performed with the dog on lead. The maximum possible score is 200 points. Dogs receiving a blue in this class MUST move up to Beginner C or higher. Dogs entered in this class can’t participate in Agility, Brace or 4-Person Team.

For 4-H’ers who have previously trained a dog. The dogs in this class must not have graduated beyond the Beginner level. All exercises (Heel on Leash, Figure 8; Sit for Exam; Sit Stay (30 sec. – 1 min.), Recall) will be performed with the dog on lead. The maximum possible score is 200 points. Dogs receiving a blue in this class must move to Beginner C. Dogs entered in this class cannot also participate in Agility, Brace or 4-Person Team or higher.

For 4-H’ers who have previously trained a dog in Beginner or more advanced levels of obedience. Dogs must not have graduated beyond the Beginner level. Exercises and maximum possible points are the same as in Beginner A, except for recall off leash and sit is dropped leash. Dogs receiving a blue in this class must move to Graduate Beginner. Dogs entered in this class cannot also participate in Brace or 4-Person Team.

For 4-H’ers who have not previously trained a dog beyond the Graduate Beginner level. Dogs must not have graduated beyond the Graduate Beginner level. Exercises and maximum possible points are the same as in the Beginner A and B classes except that the Stand for Examination, Recall, Long Sit, 1 minute; Long Down, 3 minutes exercises are done with leash attached to collar and placed next to dog with number. Dogs receiving a blue ribbon in this class MUST move to Novice.

For 4-H’ers who have previously trained a dog in graduate beginner or more advanced levels of obedience. Dogs must not have graduated beyond the Graduate Beginner level. Exercises and maximum possible points are the same as in Graduate Beginner A. Dogs receiving a blue ribbon in this class must move to Novice.

For 4-H’ers and dogs who have completed a Novice course of instruction but have not graduated beyond this level. Dogs must not have completed their AKC Companion Dog (CD) title (or the equivalent – UKC U-CD, All-American CD, Club CD, CKC CD, etc.) unless the CD was earned within 60 days of the show. Other than the Heel On Leash and Figure 8, all exercises will be performed with the dog off lead (Stand for Examination; Heel Off Leash; Recall). (Long Sit, 1 minute; Long Down, 3 minutes are done with leash attached to collar and placed next to dog with number). Maximum possible score will be 200 points.

For 4-H’ers and dogs who have not graduated beyond the Advanced Novice level of obedience. Dogs may have earned a CD title but not a Companion Dog Excellence (CDX) title (or the equivalent). Other than the Heel On Leash, all exercises will be performed with the dog off leash (Stand for Examination; Heel Free and Figure 8; Drop on Recall; Long Sit, Handlers Out of Sight, 3 minutes; Long Down, Handlers Out of Sight, 5 minutes). Maximum possible score will be 200 points. Open to any handler and dog beyond the Novice Level but not ready for Graduate Novice.

Dogs may not have earned a CDX or equivalent title, unless the title was earned within 60 days of the show. The exercises are: Heel Free and Figure 8; Drop on Recall; Dumbell Recall; Recall over High Jump; Recall over Broad Jump and Long Down. The maximum possible score is 200 points. Open to any handler and dog beyond the Novice level but not ready for open class (due to training and/or physical ability of dog).

For 4-H’ers and dogs that have not graduated beyond the Open level of obedience. Dogs may have earned a CD degree but not a CDX, unless the CDX was earned within 60 days of the show. ALL exercises will be performed with the dog off leash (Heel Free and Figure 8; Drop on Recall; Retrieve on Flat; Retrieve Over High Jump; Broad Jump; Long Sit, Handlers Out of Sight, 3 minutes; Long Down, Handlers Out of Sight, 5 minutes). Maximum possible score will be 200 points.

Dogs that have received their CDX but are not ready to enter Utility may participate in Open B. All exercises are the same as Open A. With special permission from the 4-H Dog Show Superintendent, dogs may repeat in this class regardless of point score or ribbon placing in the Open class at previous state level shows.

For 4-H’ers and dogs who have not earned a Utility Dog (UD) title or the equivalent, unless this title has been completed within 60 days of the show. ALL exercises will be performed with the dog off leash (Signal Exercise; Scent Discrimination, one metal article, one leather article; Directed Retrieve; Moving Stand and Examination; Directed Jumping). Maximum possible score will be 200 points. Dogs may repeat in this class regardless of point score or ribbon placing in the Utility class at previous State shows. With special permission from the 4-H Dog Show Superintendent, 4-H’ers with dogs that have earned a UD may participate in the Utility class For Exhibition Only (FEO).