Competing in Obedience with your Dog

June 5, 2022

One of the best ways to test your dog’s ability to pay attention to you and respond to commands is by doing an obedience trial. Next to conformation, obedience trials are the most particular and precise competitions you can do with your dog. They involve an immense amount of focus and willingness on your dog’s part to do whatever you ask of them, whether that be heel, stay, or retrieve. Obedience is one of the oldest AKC competitions, and is designed to show off the most well-trained dogs. It is split into Beginner Novice, Novice, and Open. The aspects of these obedience trials used to be the standard for how dogs were expected to behave. Our training program prepares your dog for the Novice Obedience trial, regardless of whether you want to compete, because we believe that a good canine companion should have all of those traits.
If you want to compete in obedience trials, the easiest way to get started is through training. Training with your dog will help develop and hone a heel, stay, and focus that will win you ribbons in the ring. Once you feel confident in your training, check the AKC’s website (or contact us!) to find events near you. The more trials you go to, the better you and your dog will become, so get out there and have some fun with your pup!