OBEDIENCE TRIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS (CKC)
10 Novice Class
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10.1 Novice A
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10.1.1 - The Novice A Class shall be for any dog of any recognized or listed breed which has not earned the title of C.D.
10.1.2 - Only one dog per handler is allowed in this class, and that person must handle the dog in all exercises
10.1.3 - The handler of any dog in this class must be the owner, co-owner, or a member of their immediate families, and must be eligible to handle under section 10.1.4.
10.1.4 - No person who has trained or exhibited a dog that has earned a C.D.X. title shall be allowed to handle a dog in this class.
10.1.5 - When a dog is wrongfully entered in this class, any score awarded will be cancelled.
10.2 Novice B
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10.2.1 - The Novice B Class shall be for any dog of any recognized or listed breed which has not earned the title of C.D.
10.2.2 - Dogs in this class may be handled by the owner or any other person.
10.2.3 - A person may enter more than one dog in this class.
10.2.4 - The same handler must handle each dog in all 6 exercises unless he has 2 or more dogs entered. In such cases, he must have an additional handler for each extra dog when they are judged together in the Group Exercises.
10.2.5 - No dog may be entered in both the Novice A and Novice B Class at any one trial.
10.3 Novice C
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10.3.1 - The Novice C Class shall be for any dog of any recognized or listed breed that has earned the title C.D., C.D.X., U.D. or any Obedience Trial Championship Title prior to the closing date of the trial in which it is to be entered.
10.3.2 - Dogs in this class may be handled by the owner or any other person.
10.3.3 - A person may enter more than one dog in this class.
10.3.4 - The same handler must handle each dog in all 6 exercises unless he has 2 or more dogs entered. In such cases, he must have an additional handler for each extra dog when they are judged together in the Group Exercises.
10.3.5 - Dogs may compete in the Novice C class indefinitely.
10.3.6 - Scores earned by dogs entered in the Novice C Class are not eligible for High In Trial and do not qualify a dog for any title.
10.3.7 - Dogs may be entered the Novice C Class in addition to any other Official or Unofficial classes for which they are eligible.
10.4 Tests, Order of Judging & Scores
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10.4.1 - The tests, order of judging and scores for a perfect performance in the Novice Class A and B shall be:
(a) Heel on Leash and Figure Eight 40 points
(b) Stand for Examination 30 points
(c) Heel Free 40 points
(d) Recall 30 points
(e) Long Sit 30 points
(f) Long Down 30 points
Maximum Total Score 200 points
10.5 Companion Dog Title (C.D.)
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10.5.1 - The CKC will permit the use of the letters C.D., signifying Companion Dog, to be used in connection with and after the name of each dog that has met the requirements for that title as hereinafter provided.
10.5.2 - To be permitted to use the title Companion Dog a dog must:
(a) Be registered with the CKC, have an Event Registration Number (ERN), a Performance Event Number (PEN) or if listed in the miscellaneous list a Miscellaneous Certification Number (MCN).
(b) Earn a qualifying score of more than 50% of the available points in each of the six (6) exercises and a total score of 170 or more points in the Novice Class at three (3) obedience trials held under these rules.
(c) Earn three (3) qualifying scores under at least two (2) different judges in the Novice A and/or B Class
10.5.3 - Once a dog has completed the requirements in 10.5.2, it may continue to compete in the novice classes for 30 days or until it is awarded a high in trial.
10.5.4 - When the foregoing requirements for the title Companion Dog are fully met, the owner (who must be recorded as owner in the records of the CKC) shall be entitled to a certificate issued by the CKC certifying that the title has been earned at approved trials held under CKC rules.
10.6 Heel On Leash & Figure 8
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10.6.2 The orders for this exercise are: "Forward," "Halt,","Right turn," "Left turn," "About turn," "Slow," "Normal," "Fast," "Exercise finished." They may be given in any sequence and may be repeated more than once.
10.6.3 In the Novice Classes, the handler shall enter the ring with the dog on a loose leash and stand still at the start position, with the dog sitting at heel position. On the judge's order, the handler may give the command or signal to heel, and will start walking briskly with the dog on a loose leash. The dog shall walk close to the handler's left side, without forging, lagging or crowding, permitting the handler freedom of motion at all times. At each order to halt, the handler will stop and the dog should sit smartly at heel without command or signal. It is permissible after each halt, before moving again, for the handler to give the command or signal to heel.
10.6.4 Any tightening or jerking of the leash or any act, signal, or command which, in the opinion of the judge, gives the dog unnecessary or unfair assistance shall be penalized, even to the point of non-qualifying.
10.6.5 When executing the slow and fast paces, the handler and dog must significantly change pace from normal.
10.6.6 - The about turn will be executed by turning to the right in all cases.
10.6.7 - After the completion of the heel portion of the exercise, the judge will order “Exercise finished” prior to the start of the Figure 8 exercise.
10.6.8 - In the Figure 8 exercise, the handler will stand with the dog sitting in heel position facing the judge, midway between the two stewards, who will stand about 2.44m (8’) apart. The handler may go around either steward first. On the judge's order, the handler with the dog on a loose leash shall go twice completely around the Figure 8 with at least one halt during and another at the end of the exercise.
10.6.9 - A non-qualifying score shall be given to a dog which is unmanageable, or if the handler constantly controls the dog's performance by tugging on the leash, constantly adapts their pace to that of the dog or gives more than one additional command or signal to heel.
10.6.10 - Substantial deductions shall be given for an additional command or signal to heel, for failure of the dog or handler to significantly change pace for fast or slow, failure to sit at a halt or failure to complete at least 3/4 of the figure 8.
10.6.11 - Substantial or minor deductions shall be given for poor sits, lagging, heeling wide, forging, crowding, occasional leash control, or failure of the handler to walk at a brisk normal pace, or any other imperfections in heeling.
10.7 Stand for Examination
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10.7.1 - The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog stand where left before and during the examination and show no shyness, resentment or aggression.
10.7.2 - The orders for this exercise are "Stand your dog and leave when ready," "Back to your dog," and "Exercise finished."
10.7.3 - On completion of the Figure Eight Exercise, the handler will remove the leash and give it to a steward, who will place it on the judge’s table or other designated place.
10.7.4 - On the judge's order the handler will stand and/or pose his dog. The method by which the dog is made to stand or pose is optional. The handler may take any reasonable time in posing the dog, then without further order from the judge, will give the command and/or signal to stay, walk straight forward about 1.83m (6') turn and face the dog.
10.7.5 - The judge will approach the dog from the front and touch the dog's head, withers and hindquarters only. On the judge's order, the handler will return by walking around behind the dog to heel position.
10.7.6 - The dog shall remain in a standing position until the judge says "Exercise finished."
10.7.7 - The scoring of this exercise will not start until the handler has given the command and/or signal to stay except for such things as rough treatment of the dog by its handler or active resistance by the dog to its handler's attempts to make it stand.
10.7.8 - A non-qualifying score shall be given to a dog which, sits, lies down or moves away from the place where left, either before or during the examination or displays shyness, resentment or aggression at any time.
10.7.9 - Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be given for any handler who backs away from his dog, is not approximately 1.83m (6’) from the dog during the examination, and for any dog that actively resists the handler's attempt to make it stand, moves its feet or sits or lies down after the examination but before the judge says “Exercise finished”.
10.8 Heel Free
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10.8.1 The orders and scoring for this exercise shall be the same as for the Heel on Leash. This exercise shall be done in the same manner as the Heel on Leash except that there shall be no Figure 8 and the dog is off leash. The leash shall be left on the judge's table for all work done in the Heel Free exercise.
10.9 Recall
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10.9.1 - The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog stays where it is left and comes promptly to the handler when called.
10.9.2 - The orders for this exercise are "Leave your dog," "Call your dog," "Finish," and "Exercise finished."
10.9.3 - On the judge's order, the handler will give the dog the command and/or signal to stay in the sitting position. The handler will then walk about 12.19m (40'), turn to face the dog and stand with his arms and hands hanging naturally at his sides. On the judge's order or signal, the handler will call or signal the dog which should come straight in at a brisk pace and sit straight in front of the handler close enough so that he can readily touch the dog's head without excessive bend- ing or stretching or moving either foot. On the judge's order, the handler will command or signal the dog which should go smartly to heel.The manner in which the dog finishes will be optional.
10.9.4 - A non-qualifying score shall be given to any dog which fails to stay where it is left until called, receives an additional command or signal to stay after the handler leaves, fails to come on the first command or signal, or does not come close enough for the handler to touch the dog's head without excessive bending, or stretching or moving either foot.
10.9.5 - Substantial deductions shall be given for a second command to stay before the handler leaves, for standing or lying down instead of waiting in the sit position, responding slowly to coming, failure to sit in front or finish, or for a handler giving an extra command or signal to sit or finish.
10.9.6 - Substantial or minor deductions shall be given, depending on the circumstances, for failing to come at a brisk pace, sitting out of easy reach, poor sit or finish, for interfering with the handler, or sitting between the handler's feet.
10.10 Group Sit & Down Exercises
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10.10.1 - The principal features of these exercises are for the dog to stay and to remain in the sit or down position, whichever is required by the particular exercise, until the handler has returned.
10.10.2 - The orders for these exercises are: "Sit your dogs" or "Down your dogs", "Leave your dogs," "Back to your dogs," "Exercise finished."
10.10.3 - All dogs competing in a class will perform these exercises together. If, however, there are more than 8 dogs competing they will be split into groups of not more than 8. Each group will be judged immediately following their individual exercises.
10.10.4 - When the same judge judges the Novice A, B and/or C classes, the classes may be combined provided the total number of dogs in the group does not exceed 8.
10.10.5 - The dogs must enter the ring on leash and line up in catalogue order along one side of the ring. Handlers' armbands, weighted with leashes, shall be placed behind the dogs.
10.10.6 - On the judge's order, the handlers shall sit their dogs and on further order the handlers shall give the command and/or signal to stay, immediately leave their dogs, walk to the opposite side of the ring and turn and face their dogs.
10.10.7 - The judge shall take a position in the ring where both the dogs and handlers can be observed. One (1) minute from the time the order to "Leave your dogs" was given, on the judge's order the handlers must return promptly to their dogs, each walking around behind his own dog to the heel position. The dogs should not move from the sitting position until the judge says "Exercise finished."
10.10.8 - The Long Down is executed in the same manner as the Long Sit except that instead of sitting the dogs, the handlers, on orders from the judge, shall down their dogs by command and/or signal. The time for this exercise shall be three (3) minutes. The dog should stay in the down position until after the judge says "Exercise finished."
10.10.9 - The scoring of these exercises will not start until the judge orders the handlers to sit or down their dogs
10.10.10 - A non-qualifying score shall be given to any dog which at any time during the exercise moves a substantial distance from the place it was left, goes over to another dog, barks or whines unreasonably, or fails to remain in the sitting or down position (whichever is required by the particular exercise), until the handler has returned to the heel position.
10.10.11 - A dog that leaves the place where it was left during the first portion of the group exercise must be excused prior to the second portion of the exercise.
10.10.12 - A substantial deduction shall be given for a handler who repositions his dog after the dog is in the sit or down position or for a dog which sits, stands or lies down after the handler has returned to the heel position but before the judge has said "Exercise finished."
10.10.13 - Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be given for a handler who touches the dog or its collar to get it into the sit or down position or for a dog which occasionally barks or whines or for a minor move from position.
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