Obedience Reported by Sandy Roland (S'Posan's) Photos credits: see footnote. In 1933, when AKC Obedience competition began, the concept behind obedience training was to develop a very close working relationship between human beings and dogs, while demonstrating the usefulness and enthusiasm of dogs. This concept remains as important today as it was when the program was developed. There are several levels of obedience, such as the long-standing classes of Novice (CD), Open (CDX) and Utility (UD). A higher level of competition was added in recent years, which includes Utility Excellent (UDX) and Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH). AKC Obedience Trials were developed to foster training, as well as, to demonstrate dogs' willingness, capabilities and enjoyment of working with and very closely with humans. Obedience Trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. In each exercise, you must score more than 50 percent of the possible points (ranging from 20 to 40) and get a total score of at least 170 out of a possible 200. Each time your dog gets that magic 170 qualifying score, he's gotten a "leg" toward his title. Three legs and your dog has become an Obedience-titled dog! There are 3 levels at which your dog can earn a title and each is more difficult than the one before it. You may see levels divided into "A" and "B" at a trial; "A" classes are for beginners whose dogs have never received a title while "B" classes are for more experienced handlers. Novice: The first level, Novice, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog (CD) title. The title actually describes what is expected of your dog: demonstrating the skills required of a good canine companion. The dog will have to heel both on and off leash at different speeds, come when called, stay (still and quietly!) with a group of other dogs when told, and stand for a simple physical exam. Open: The second level, Open, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. He must do many of the same exercises as in Novice, but off-leash and for longer periods. Additionally, there are jumping and retrieving tasks. Utility: The final level results in a Utility Dog (UD) title. These are the cream of the crop. In addition to more difficult exercises, the dog also must perform scent discrimination tasks. OTCH and UDX: The best of the best can go on for more titles. Utility Dogs that place in Open B or Utility B classes earn points toward an Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) title. Utility Dogs that continue to compete and earn legs in both Open B and Utility B at 10 shows receive the title Utility Dog Excellent (UDX). Photos for this section: (Top) The wonderfully red boy going over the bar jump in Utility is "UCDX I M A Little Bit Rusty UDX". Rusty is owned and trained by Marty Russell. (Bottom) Mother (Kyrie at left) and son (K.C. at right) posing for a picture with dumbells in mouth. Kyrie has her CDX title, K.C. is still one leg short of it. Kyrie is Ch. Kataxin's Kyrie She's An Angel CDX, FDX, TT, CGC and K.C. is Ch. Dagobah Kataxin Kaptan Cosmos CDX, RA, ONYX, TT, CGC, CGN, TDI.