Getting Started in Obedience

Joining a Dog Training Club is an excellent way to socialise your dog
and teach some basic Obedience training
Most handlers/owners want their dog to walk nicely,
sit when told and come when called.
 

At Ryehill Dog Training we aim to do just that.
In the Beginners class we teach Heelwork, Sit, Stand
and Down Stays, and Recall exercises.
 

Once you have the basic training, and you have been awarded the
'Ryehill Dog Training Pre-Beginners Certificate',
you can then move up to the advanced class, and if you want,
you can work towards the council tests (see the ERYC Tests for more details).

You can also enter local and national shows.
You do not have to own a pedigree dog to enter Obedience,
 but your dog does needs to be registered on the
KC Activities register to compete in some shows.

Which Shows Can I Enter?

There are 5 different types of dog Obedience shows you can enter

Companion (Exemption)
Open
Championship
Limit
Matches

Companion (Exemption) dog shows

Your dog does not have to be registered with the KC to enter a Companion dog show.

They usually include Pedigree and Fun classes and some include Obedience classes.

These shows are good to have a go at first,
it will give you an idea about what's expected
and can give you the confidence that you need.

Proceeds from Companion dog shows usually go towards local charities.

Not all Companion dog shows have Obedience,
so check before travelling.

Open Obedience shows

Your dog needs to be registered with the KC
to enter an Open Obedience show (activities register).

Applications can be printed from the Kennel Club web site.

Open shows, as the name suggests, are Open to all competitors.

There are normally Six Classes as below.

Pre-Beginners
Beginners
Novice
Class A
Class B
Class C
 

Eligibility into the lower classes

            Pre-Beginners for Handlers or dogs that have not won a first in pre Beginners
 or Beginners or gained a third place or above in any other class

Beginners, the handler or the dog must not have won
 two or more 1st prizes in Beginners,
or one first prize in any other Obedience class
 (not including Pre-beginner).

Novice, the dog must not have won
two first prizes in any other Obedience class
(not including Pre-beginners or Beginners).

A dog must be entered into the lowest class that it is eligible,
and may also be entered into another class if desired.
 

Championship Obedience shows

Your dog needs to be registered with the KC
to enter a Championship Obedience show (activity register).

Applications can be printed from the Kennel Club web site.

Championship Shows are Open to all competitors
(except where a qualification for entry has been approved by the Kennel Club)
and where KC Obedience Certificates are Offered.

There are normally six classes as Open shows

Limited Obedience shows

Limit shows are usually held by local breed/Obedience clubs,
where entry can be limited to a specific breed or breeds.

Limit shows can also be limited to Competitors within a specific area
 or other limits agreed by the Kennel Club
 

Matches

Entry for Matches are limited to members of the show society.