When it comes to dog sports and activities, there are so many fun options to consider. Obviously, with a name like Carlson Agility, we definitely are huge fans of agility, but we also sell dog obedience equipment for those interesting in obedience competitions.
1. Obedience & Agility Competitions Aren’t The Same
Sometimes dog obedience equipment and agility equipment are used interchangeably, so if what you really want are items such as a pause table, a teeter, a tire jump or an a-frame, you’ve definitely come to the right place.
However, there are actually agility competitions and obedience competitions. For the agility competitions a dog must obey a handler’s instructions, but the focus is on how well and how fast dogs handle the obstacles and not on obedience skills.
The main similarity between agility and obedience is that jumps are required for both competitions, but these are very different types of jumps and that’s pretty much where the similarities end. Both sports also are known as companion sports, because a handler and dog are working together.
Competitive obedience is, in fact, its own entirely unique sport and many organizations, including the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC) and others host contests every year for this sport.
2. Inclusivity Is Improving
Agility has long been touted as a sport for every dog, even those adorable mixed-breed pooches. Competitive obedience hasn’t been as inclusive historically, but that is beginning to change, and it’s definitely a change for the better.
Some groups still do not allow certain breeds or mixed breeds to participate, so be sure to check with each organization to fully understand any restrictions or requirements. There also might be restrictions for dogs that are blind, although deaf dogs typically are welcome to participate and sometimes dogs that are missing a single limb. Additionally, some organizations will require that all mixed-breed participants are spayed or neutered while purebred dogs won’t face this requirement.
3. There Are Several Classes & Categories
Typically, there will be three main classes for competition – Novice, Open and Utility. Novice, obviously, is for the beginners, and Open and Utility classes are for more advanced obedience dogs.
Some organizations offer a few even more advanced classes, restricted to dogs that have won Utility-level competitions. Some organizations also have competitions just for purebred dogs and other competitions for mixed breeds, keeping these two categories separate.
4. Many Skills Must Be Mastered
Just as with agility, competitive obedience requires that each dog master a variety of skills and commands. Unlike agility, which is performed off-leash and usually without a collar, dogs just getting started with obedience (novice class) typically will complete one or two skills on-leash.
For instance, while on-leash, a dog will be required to heel and perform a figure 8. As the dog moves out of the novice class and into the Open and Utility Classes, leashes might not be used at all.
With the “heel” part, a dog will walk alongside the handler and heel on command. During this segment, the dog also is expected to match the pace of the handler during the entire exercise, whether it is on or off-leash.
Beyond the heel and figure 8s, dogs will have to complete exercises such as sitting for an extended period of time and coming to the handler when called. The dog also might be asked to come (recall) and drop, which means they come to the handler and then lay down.
Dogs also will have to retrieve an item on command and perhaps demonstrate scent discrimination. For instance, there might be an area with four or five unique scents and the handler will provide a sample of just one of these scents and the dog will have to retrieve that same scent from the collection of scents.
Jumps are a particularly fun part of competitive obedience, and there are three typical types of obedience jumps – bar jumps, board jumps and high jumps. Often dogs will have to jump, retrieve an object and then jump again, to give the object to their handler.
Here’s quick look at skills you might need to demonstrate in each class:
Novice Class
• Heel & Figure 8 (While on-leash)
• Heel Free (“Free” simply means off-leash)
• Drop on Recall (The dog drops a toy by the hander after being told to recall/come)
• Retrieve Over High Jump (The dog jumps, retrieves an object, jumps back and presents the object to the handler)
• Long Sit (Typically the dog sits for one minute)
• Long Down (Typically the dog lays down for several minutes)
• Stand for Examination (The dog stands while being examined briefly)
Open Class
• Heel & Figure 8
• Drop on Recall (A dog comes/recalls on command and then will lay down)
• Retrieve on Flat (Basically the dog retrieves an object)
• Retrieve Over High Jump
• Broad Jump
• Commands (Dogs must obey commands, such as sit or stand, with the handler at a distance)
Utility Class
• Signals (No verbal commands are allowed, dogs must sit, stay, etc. obeying only hand signals)
• Scent Discrimination
• Directed Retrieve
• Moving Stand & Examination (The handler moves away and the dog must stand and stay and accept a quick exam by one of the judges)
• Directed Jumping (Dogs must step away from the handler, turn around and sit. Then the dog will be directed to complete a jump and return to the handler.)
Again, each organization is unique, but this is generally what you and your dog will be asked to accomplish during a competition.
5. We Have Dog Obedience Equipment
We have all three types of jumps – bar, broad and high jumps, designed specifically for competition obedience. Of course, these can be great items for those who just want to enjoy obedience training as a source of fun and exercise.
Dog obedience training can be fun, but it also teaches crucial skills that can keep your dog safe and secure. When a dog instantly obeys you on or off-leash and when you are at a distance, it’s easier to keep them safe from other dogs, wild animals, traffic and other potential hazards.
Whether you need dog obedience equipment or agility equipment, we have everything imaginable here at Carlson Agility. Take a look at our selection, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
