This class is designed to teach the skills necessary for the handler/dog team to enter
a Utility class at an obedience trial. This class offers critiquing/suggestions,
as well as the opportunity to practice those skills in a group environment.
This class is ongoing, i.e. there is no starting or ending date. It is also a
drop-in class, so you do not have to sign-up to attend - just join in. However, this class
is not held on the night of a Correction Clinic - please check the Calendar for those dates.
We also offer the opportunity for the handler/dog team to practice their skills individually
with "run-throughs". A "run-through" is an opportunity to do all or part
of the exercises explained below, with the instructor acting as the Judge. The run-throughs
are done at a separate time and place from the Utility class. Individuals must be a FVDTC
club member to sign-up for the Utility run-through.
When competing in the Utility class at an obedience trial, the handler/dog team is judged
on a series of "exercises" which are executed at the command of the Judge. To obtain
an AKC Utility Dog (UD) title, one must receive a score of 170 points (out of a maximum of
200 points) in the Utility class at three different AKC sanctioned obedience trials,
with three different Judges.
The handler/dog team is judged on their execution of these exercises:
Signals
- Heeling off leash with the following:
- A change of pace from normal to fast
- A change of pace from normal to slow
- About turns
- Left turns
- Right turns
- Halts
- Details:
- Stand the dog using only a hand signal
- Leave the dog on a Stand/Stay using only a hand signal
- Walk away from the dog, approximately 10 to 12 feet
- The Handler turns to face the dog
- Command the dog to lie Down in place using only a hand signal
- Command the dog to Sit in place using only a hand signal
- Command the dog to Come from the sitting position using only a hand signal
- Have the dog sit in front of you (automatically, without any guidance)
- Have the dog return to heel position, using only a hand signal, for either the "around" or the "swing" finish
Scent Discrimination
- This exercise is done twice - once with an article (object) made of Metal and once with an article (object) made of Leather.
- Details
- Stand with the dog in heel position while the steward places four metal articles and four leather articles in close proximity to each other. This group is approximately 10 feet away in front of the handler/dog team
- Command the dog to turn around (with you) to face away from the group of articles
- Place your scent on either another metal or leather article (handler’s discretion which type of article is done initially)
- The Judge will place the article that has your scent on it somewhere in the group of articles
- Command the dog to turn around (with you) to face the group of articles
- Command the dog to search the group to find the article with your scent on it
- The dog returns with the article to sit straight in front of you (automatically, without any guidance)
- Have the dog release the article in your hands
- Have the dog return to heel position, using either the "around" or the "swing" finish
- Repeat with the other article
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Directed Retrieve
- Stand with the dog in heel position while the steward places three gloves in the ring (behind the handler/dog team)
- One glove is placed in each corner of the ring and the third glove is placed directly behind the handler/dog team
- The Judge will direct which glove is to be retrieved by the dog
- Command the dog to turn around (with you) to face the correct glove
- Have the dog retrieve the correct glove (may use a verbal and/or physical command)
- Have the dog sit in front of you (automatically, without any guidance)
- Have the dog release the glove in your hands
- Have the dog return to heel position, using either the "around" or the "swing" finish
Moving Stand
- Stand with the dog sitting next to you, in heel position
- Heel forward with the dog
- Commanding the dog to Stand (with an implied Stay) using a verbal and/or physical command, WHILE the handler continues to walk forward, approximately 10 to 12 feet away
- The handler turns to face the dog and Judge
- The dog allows the Judge to approach and place hands on them (without any signs of discomfort or movement)
- This "exam" is usually more extensive than what was done in the Novice ring
- The dog briskly returns to heel position on the handler’s command
Directed Jumping
- This exercise is done twice - once for a solid board jump, like in the Open class, and once for a single bar jump. Both jumps are set to the same height, and are appropriate for the size of the dog.
- Details
- Stand with the dog sitting next to you, in heel position in the center of ring (between the two jumps)
- The jumps are across the ring from each other (on the same line) close to the sides of the ring
- Command the dog to leave your side
- The dog must go between the jumps to the opposite side of the ring from where the handler is standing
- Command the dog to Sit (with an implied Stay)
- The Judge will direct the handler which jump is to be jumped by the dog
- Command the dog to jump that jump using a verbal and/or physical command)
- Have the dog sit in front of you (automatically, without any guidance)
- Have the dog return to heel position, using either the "around" or the "swing" finish
- Repeat with the other jump
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Utility