Utility Dog Obedience Training

History

• The first American Kennel Club obedience trial was held in 1936. Since then, classes have evolved into the current structure of novice, open and utility. Several classes and titles that fall between these levels have recently been added by the AKC.

  Original utility exercises differ slightly from those that are part of today's utility rules. All of the utility exercises are based on advanced training skills and manners compatible with a well-trained canine companion.

Obedience Trials

• The AKC holds hundreds of obedience trials each weekend in the United States. Obedience trials offer a full spectrum of AKC competition classes that include the highest level of training exhibited in the utility class.

  Dogs enter obedience trials at least a month in advance of the trial date. Clubs that sponsor the events will print a premium list with all appropriate event information. A list of obedience trails designated by date and state is available on the events search page of the AKC website.

Exercises

• The individual utility exercises are a signal exercise, which directs the dog via hand signals; a scent discrimination exercise; a moving stand for exam; a directed blind retrieve; and an exercise that incorporates sending the dog away from you to a designated point and directing them to specified jumps. All utility exercises are performed without a leash.

  Further explanations of these exercises can be found on the Obedience Rules and Regulations page of the AKC website.

Judging

• Utility exercises are judged according AKC Obedience Regulations by licensed AKC judges. Each individual exercise has an associated number of points. Total points awarded can be 200. Once a dog enters the ring and judging begins, the judges deduct points from the individual exercise score for each error.

  Judging guidelines list acceptable performance points and errors that will cause the dog to fail an exercise. A dog must pass all exercises with an acceptable score to gain a qualifying score. A dog will need to qualify three times under three different judges to obtain the Utility Dog title.

Finding a Reputable Trainer

• In order to properly train at the utility dog level, it is essential that you find a trainer who can teach the proper obedience foundation skills and specific utility skills. It is appropriate to hire a trainer who is actively and successfully showing their dogs in obedience trials or has an extensive history of doing so.

  American Kennel Club member obedience clubs and conformation clubs that offer obedience classes can be found on the AKC website. Trainers also can be found by searching the trainer database on the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website. Trainers that offer obedience competition training designate experience on their list of services or biography page.

Other Utility Dog Titles

• Utility Dog titles can be obtained using a similar set of exercises from the United Kennel Club and all breed competition offered by the Australian Shepherd Club of America. The letters that designate the title vary by organization.