DOGGIE DOG BLOG

Posted by: David Harris

Pictures by: David Harris

Recently Diesel competed in his first AKC Obedience trial.  In Novice A he competed against other dogs and handlers with a similar level of ring experience.  Some have slightly more ring experience, but most are beginners with dogs that have never successfully passed the requirements for this title.  To earn the AKC’s Novice (CD) title a dog must achieve a minimum score of 170 out of a possible 200.  Additionally, the dog must get at least half the points from each of six exercises to qualify.  In other words the dog can do perfectly in most exercises, but lay down on the sit stay and fail to qualify. Because the sit stay is worth 30 points and you get a zero if the dog does not stay you cannot pass at this point.  If a dog completes the required exercises and scores 170 or above then he is said to have earned a leg toward the title.  To be awarded the title the dog must earn three legs under at least two different judges.  You can see a compete set of AKC rules at this link:

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:hOInswfoXbcJ:www.akc.org/rules/obedience.cfm+akc+novice+rules&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&ie=UTF-8

The event we chose for Diesel’s first competition was the Lexington Blue Grass Classic in Lexington, Kentucky.  This is a large event and the obedience competition spans four separate days.  So, if your dog is signed up to compete all four days you can earn your title in one long weekend of competition.  That is exactly what Diesel did.  He was signed up for all four days, but only needed the first three days to earn his title.

Not only did he earn his title, but he did it with style. He won first place in his class each day and each day his scores improved due to both he and his owner getting a feel for this type of competition.  Additionally, on one of the three days of competition Diesel was awarded the honor of High Scoring Dog in Trial (HOT) since his scores that day were the highest of all the dogs competing at all levels of competition that day.  It is fairly rare for a team out of Novice A to win this award since they are so new to the sport it is common for them to make mistakes or even fail several times before passing.  Diesels scores in order of day of competition. 189.5, 195.5, 196.5 

I believe Diesel’s best scores are still in him.  He is young and the distractions took their toll on his focus at times.  But, I couldn’t be more proud of him and Lee for the way they acquitted themselves in the ring.  It is a great affirmation to see your work tested under very realistic conditions and succeed.

Diesel is still six months away from being able to compete in Schutzhund.  He already knows all the exercises for the next level of AKC Competition.  So, perhaps we will soon try our hand at the next level of AKC obedience to see how well he fairs as the going gets tougher.  I look forward to the challenge.

David