Competitive Obedience Training for the Small Dog

by Barbara Cecil

  In Novice, “the dog may be gently guided by the collar” between exercises. Unfortunately, with a short dog there is no way to do this gracefully! If your dog is capable of performing the Heel Off Lead, he can heel off lead between exercises. Don’t ignore this part of your ring performance. (Handler errors between exercises are deducted under the heading “Misbehavior” – which can refer to the handler as well as the dog – on the judge’s sheet.)

  Heel your dog into the correct spot to begin each exercise. For example, if you are moving from the point at which the Heel Off Lead ended to the point across the ring where you will leave your dog for the Recall, don’t just walk there, then attempt to maneuver your dog into heel position on a particular spot. Heel the dog behind the starting point and then straight ahead into position, coming to a halt at the spot where the exercise will start.

  While your performance should be efficient, don’t allow yourself to be rushed. This is especially true on the Stand for Examination. Judging of this exercise does not begin until you say “Stay,” so take any reasonable amount of time to make sure your dog is comfortable and capable of holding his position before you leave him.

  The Sit and Down Stay offer several handling opportunities. First, look in the catalog to see who will be flanking your dog on the Stays. (Remember, dogs perform the Stays in catalog order even if they showed out of order for the individual exercises.) Introduce yourself to the handlers who will be on your left and right; you might even deem it necessary to put your dog in a sit stay by your side, and ask them to do the same with their dogs while you visit with each other. The dogs will then have had an opportunity to see each other under controlled conditions and learn they cannot visit, growl, or hide.

  Second, don’t let your dog get squashed on the stays. The handler to your right is the person who will be walking between your dog and his dog while returning to heel, so don’t hesitate to ask him to leave more room between your two dogs if you feel the spacing is inadequate. Just because your little dog doesn’t occupy as much floor space as a big dog does not mean that you do not get your fair share!

  Third, because your dog’s eyes, nose and mouth are so close to temptations that could divert his attention on the stays, clear the ground of debris that will be under and right in front of your dog. You can do this quickly and inconspicuously before you take off your dog’s leash. The handler of a big dog might not even notice a piece of sharp gravel that, left in place, could feel like a boulder under your small dog. It is not necessary to point out the garbage to the judge. Just discreetly pick it up and put it in your pocket.

  Fourth, be the last dog to leave the ring after the Stays are over. You need to avoid the congestion and excitement at the ring gate, where almost no one will be paying attention to their dog. Pick your dog up as soon as you are out of the ring so that he isn’t stepped on in the excitement of the moment.

  Open

  Watch the stewards set the jumps for your dog, and verify that they are correct before you enter the ring. If there is any doubt in your mind, ask that the jumps be measured.

  Many judges will have an “Oh my poor back!” comment when they realize how far over they will have to bend to measure your dog. Respond politely to whatever comments the judge might make, but don’t engage him in conversation and spend precious time ignoring your dog. Even if your dog can handle measurement with equanimity, as soon as it is over get the dog’s attention riveted back on you. The same thing is true between exercises; don’t lose your rhythm or momentum by stopping to chat with the judge.

  Ring conditions might determine how far you throw your dumbbell and whether it would be to your advantage to throw it just to the left or right of center. For example, if the Retrieve On The Flat is performed in a space between the Broad Jump and High Jump, you might want to angle your throw slightly more toward the Broad Jump. Chances are slim your dog would jump the broad jump from the wrong direction in returning to you, but in the heat of the moment – and particularly if he loves to jump – he might take the high jump if the dumbbell bounced behind it.

  If people and dogs are sitting just on the other side of the ring gate, you would also want to be sure your throw doesn’t go much beyond the 20 foot minimum to keep it the maximum distance from ringside.

  Utility

  If you are going to be showing in Utility two consecutive days, ask the stewards to keep separate the two scent articles you are using the first day. You can later replace those two articles with two extra articles from your set.

  Seldom, if ever, will the judge tell you where or how far to go after you have left your dog on the stand in the Signal Exercise. If you have a choice, do not go all the way to the very end of the ring; if there are two cross mats, stop and turn at the first one. If you are on dirt or grass, pick a clean, level spot to turn so as to give your dog a fair chance for a good front and finish.

  For Scent Discrimination, draw your dog’s attention to the steward as he is putting out the articles. By watching the handlers before you, you should know where the judge is placing the scented articles. From experience, you should also know how your dog returns with an article. Combine these two pieces of information to pick the best spot to stand for this exercise. For example, you know your dog always turns on the spot where he picks up the article, even if he is in the middle of the pile. You have your best chance for a good front if you position yourself so that when you turn you are lined up directly in front of the article the dog is to retrieve.

  Pay attention to your dog as you scent your article. Talk to the dog, if necessary, to keep his attention on you. At the very least, count to yourself as you scent your article. If you always scent it 15 seconds in practice, that is how long you want to scent it in the ring.

  Before you go in the ring, you should also have noted exactly where the steward is placing the gloves so that you do not underturn or overturn for glove one or glove three.

  Think good thoughts when your dog is doing his go outs. Visualize him going until you tell him to stop. Negative vibes from a thought like He will never get past the jumps can reach out and snag a dog every time. Project confidence when your dog is leaving you on a go out.

  ETIQUETTE

  Thank the judge. Thank the stewards. Thank your dog. Do not say anything disparaging about anybody or to anybody. This is the time of which your mother spoke: “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” No one wants to listen to a belly-acher, fault-finder or excuse-maker. You are at this trial because you want to be, and both you and your dog should enjoy yourself. Competitive obedience is a sport, and all the rules of good sportsmanship apply. Even if things did not go well in the ring, you gained valuable information and experience that will help you do better next time. There are a lot of ways to win. Keep everything in perspective – be an “inner winner” – and you will be able to enjoy this great sport for a long, long time.

  “I remember watching Robert Dover run through a Grand Prix test several days before a show with the volatile Waltzertakt. Every movement was rewarded with a hearty “Good boy!” I asked Robert if he had a particularly nice ride and he explained that by starting to encourage and to praise lavishly the week before a show, he helps the horse to feel confident and good about himself. The horse perceives that he is wonderful and obedient, and this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy at the competition.”

  Jane Savoie

  THAT WINNING FEELING!

  Appendix A – Jump Height and Distance

  The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS, Chapter 4, Section 10. Retrieve over High Jump.

  …The jump shall be set at the nearest multiple of 2 inches to the height of the dog at the withers or 8 inches, whichever is greater, for the following breeds—

  Spaniels (Clumber) Norwich Terriers

  Spaniels (Sussex) Scottish Terriers

  Basset Hounds Sealyham Terriers

  Dachshunds Skye Terriers

  Welsh Corgis (Cardigan) West Highlan
d White Terriers

  Welsh Corgis (Pembroke) Maltese

  Australian Terriers Pekingese

  Cairn Terriers Bulldogs

  Dandie Dinmont Terriers French Bulldogs

  Norfolk Terriers

  For all other breeds the jumps shall be set at approximately one and one-quarter the height of the dog at the withers, in accordance with the following table:

  Measured height of dog at withers

  Height to be jumpeds

  Less than 7½”

  8”

  7½ to less than 9”

  10”

  9 to less than 10½”

  12”

  10½ to less than12”

  14”

  12 to less than 13½”

  16”

  13½ to less than 15”

  18”

  15 to less than 16½”

  20”

  16½ to less than 18½

  22”

  18½ to less than 20”

  24”

  20 to less than 21½

  26”

  21½to less than 23”

  28”

  23 to less than 24½

  30”

  24½ to less than 26½

  32”

  26½ to less than 28”

  34”

  28” or more

  36”

  The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS,

  Chapter 4, Section 12. Broad Jump.

  …The Broad Jump shall consist of four hurdles, built to telescope for convenience, made of boards about 8 inches wide, the largest measuring about 5 feet in length and 6 inches high at the highest point, all painted a flat white. When set up they shall be arranged in order of size and shall be evenly spaced so as to cover a distance equal to twice the height of the High Jump as set for the particular dog, with the low side of each hurdle and the lowest hurdle nearest the dog. The four hurdles shall be used for a jump of 48” to 72”, three for 28” to 44”, and two for a jump of 16” to 24”. When decreasing the number of boards in the jump, the highest hurdle shall be removed first. It is the Judge’s responsibility to see that the distance jumped is that required by these Regulations for the particular dog.

  Chapter 5, Section 13. Directed Jumping

  …The height of the jumps shall be the same as required in the Open classes. The High Jump shall be the same as that used in the Open classes, and the Bar Jump shall consist of a bar between 2 and 2½ inches square with the four edges rounded sufficiently to remove any sharpness. The bar shall be painted a flat black and white in alternate sections of about 3 inches each. The bar shall be supported by two unconnected 4 foot upright posts about 5 feet apart. The bar shall be adjustable for each 2 inches of height from 8 inches to 36 inches, and the jump shall be so constructed and positioned that the bar can be knocked off without disturbing the uprights.

  Appendix B – Sources of Obedience Equipment for Small

  Dogs

  J & J Dog Supplies, Inc.

  P. O. Box 1517

  Galesburg, IL 61402

  Order toll free: 1-800-642-2050

  Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Central Time

  Max 200

  114 Beach Street – Building 5

  Rockaway, NJ 07866

  1-800-446-2920

  Paul’s Obedience Shop

  P. O. Box 767

  Hanover, PA 17331-0767

  1-717-630-8474; Fax 24 Hours A Day (717) 630-8072

  Sylvia’s Tack Box

  4333 11th Street A

  Moline, IL 61265

  (309) 797-9060

  Appendix C – Recommended Reading

  American Kennel Club, Publisher, OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS. 51 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10010.

  Bauman, Diane, BEYOND BASIC DOG TRAINING, Second Edition. Howell, New York, 1991.

  Booth, Sheila, with Gottfried Dildei, SCHUTZHUND OBEDIENCE TRAINING IN DRIVE. Podium Publications, Box 171, Ridgefield, Connecticut, 06877, 1993.

  Burnham, Patricia Gail, PLAYTRAINING YOUR DOG. St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1980.

  Fisher, John, THINK DOG! An Owner’s Guide To Canine Psychology. Trafalgar Square Publishing, North Pomfret, Vermont, 1992.

  Fogle, Bruce, THE DOG’S MIND. Howell, New York, 1990.

  FRONT & FINISH, The Dog Trainer’s News. Published monthly by H & S Publications, P. O. Box 333, Galesburg, Illinois, 61402.

  Handler, Barbara, SUCCESSFUL OBEDIENCE HANDLING, The New Best Foot Forward. Alpine Publications, Loveland, Colorado, 1991.

  Loehr, James E., Ed.D., MENTAL TOUGHNESS TRAINING FOR SPORTS, Achieving Athletic Excellence. The Stephen Greene Press, Lexington, Massachusetts, 1986.

  Neill, David and Clarice Rutherford, HOW TO RAISE A PUPPY YOU CAN LIVE WITH. Alpine Publications, Loveland, Colorado, 1992.

  Orlick, Terry, PhD, IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE, How to Win in Sport and Life Through Mental Training. Leisure Press, Champaign, Illinois, 1990.

  Pryor, Karen, DON’T SHOOT THE DOG. Bantam Books, New York, 1984.

  PURE-BRED DOGS/AMERICAN KENNEL GAZETTE, the EVENTS CALENDAR Supplement, and AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB AWARDS. Published monthly by The American Kennel Club, Inc., 51 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10010.

  Savoie, Jane, THAT WINNING FEELING!, A New Approach To Riding Using Psychocybernetics. Trafalgar Square Publishing, North Pomfret, Vermont, 1992.

  Volhard, Joachim and Gail Fisher, TRAINING YOUR DOG – THE STEP BY STEP MANUAL. Howell, New York, 1983.

  Volhard, Jack and Wendy, OPEN AND UTILITY TRAINING. Howell, New York, 1992.