OBEDIENCE
the exercise. The handler enters the ring with the dog on a loose leash and stands with the dog sitting in heel position. You can hold the lead in either hand or both hands. Any tightening or jerking of the lead will be penalized while heeling. The handler should move briskly. A handler that is constantly jerking or tightening the lead will receive a non-qualifying score. Minor deductions are taken for the dog forging, lagging, heeling wide, crowding, poor sits, failure to sit at a halt and other imperfections. The handler is allowed a one time single phase of encouragement such as “Good boy.” Minor deductions are taken for additional commands. Figure 8. Again, the judge is looking for teamwork. The commands that the judge will give are, “Forward”, “Halt”, and “Exercise Finished”. The handler will stand midway between two ring stewards, facing the judge. The ring stewards stand about 8’ apart. The handler heels in a figure 8 pattern around the stewards. The handler can go in either direction. The handler will go around each steward twice. There will be halt after the first time around and again at the end. Scoring is the same as for the Heel on Leash exercise. Sit for Exam. In this exercise the dog must sit in position while examined by the judge. This exercise is performed on a 6’ lead. The judge will say, “Sit your dog and leave when ready.” The handler stands with the dog sitting in heel position. The handler commands the dog to stay and goes to the end of the 6’ lead and faces the dog. The judge approaches the dog from the front. The judge touches only the dog’s head. After the exam, the judge will say, “Back to your dog.” The handler walks around the dog and returns to heel position. The dog must remain sitting until the judge says, “Exercise finished”. A dog will receive a nonqualifying score if it lies down, stands up or moves from the position where it was left, growls or displays any resentment during the exam. Minor deductions are taken for leash tightening, Substantial deductions are taken for an extra command after the handler has left. Minor, substantial or even an NQ can be given for shyness. Sit Stay--Handler Walk Around the Ring. The handler stands (usually in the center of the ring) with the dog in heel position. The leash remains on the dog but is placed on the ground between the dog and the handler. When the judge says, “Sit your dog”, the handler sits their dog if they are not already sitting. The judge will say, “Leave your dog”. The handler will give the dog a command to stay and walk around
the inside perimeter of the ring. Upon completing a full perimeter, the handler will return to heel position by walking behind the dog. When the handler has returned, the judge will say, “Exercise finished.” Substantial deductions are made for a dog that has any movement from the spot where it is left. Also deductions are made for whining or barking. Moving a substantial distance results in an NQ. Recall. In this exercise, the dog must stay where it is left until the handler calls it. The handler stands with the dog sitting in heel position. On the order from the judge, the handler commands the dog to stay and walks forward about 25’. On the judge’s order, the handler commands the dog to come. The dog must come directly at a brisk pace and sit in front of the handler. No finish is required. The handler can give a one time phrase of encouragement when the dog is coming. A dog given an extra command to stay will receive an NQ. An extra command to come is given a deduction. In Summary. Beginner Novice was developed as a bridge between Rally and Novice obedience. There are no group stays or off leash heeling which most green dogs find difficult. My observation of common errors are handlers that have a continual tight leash or handlers that frequently correct their dogs by jerking on the leash. If you enter this class, be prepared to heel on a loose leash. Practice entering a ring. Make sure that you have your dogs attention when you go through those gates. Allow a quick look around the ring by your dog, and then focus their attention back on you. If the judge asks, “Are you ready” and your dog is yawning, scratching or sniffing the floor, tell the judge “no” and try to get your dog’s attention before beginning. Beginner Novice handlers are allowed a walk-through without the dog. It gives the handler an opportunity to learn the heeling pattern. Be prepared to leave your dog with someone or have a crate where you can leave your dog while you do the walk-through. Handlers can enter both Beginner Novice and Novice at the same trial. You can not get a High In Trial from Beginner Novice or any other optional titling class. The Sit/Stay Walk Around the Ring can be difficult for some dogs because the handler has to walk around behind the dog. Since dogs usually want to keep an eye on their handler, practice walking around behind your dog while it is in a sit-stay. Since this is the first experience in the ring for most dogs, relax, keep it fun and make it a positive experience. AKC has a video on YouTube demonstrating a Beginner Novice class. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vG8izORnk
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