OBEDIENCE
THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES ARE TO BE PREFORMED BY ALL DOGS WISHING TO OBTAIN THEIR OBT.
DOGS PREFORMING THE OBT MUST BE AT LEAST 12 MONTHS OF AGE.
The dog shall wear either a fur saver or choke chain with leash attached to the dead ring. Leashes may be no longer than 4 feet. All leashes and collars must be inspected and deemed suitable by a NWDA Official prior to beginning each test. Any portion of the test can be preformed off leash but leash must be removed prior to exercise.
This portion of the test is based on 100 points, a minimum of 60 points is achieved in order to pass this portion of the test. Additionally each dog will be evaluated with regard to its temperament.
Each individual exercise begins with the basic position (dog at a sit at handlers side). The judge will signal handler to begin each exercise.
EXERCISE 1: Heeling on Leash (30 points)
From basic position handler gives “heel” command. Handler and dog walk straight ahead a minimum of 20 paces (without stopping) execute a left hand turn and continue for a minimum of 10 paces and then execute right hand turn, then proceed for a minimum of 20 paces and execute right hand turn. Then handler and dog will continue minimum of 10 paces and execute a right hand turn and continue for a minimum of 10 paces at normal pace. Then without stopping handler changes pace first fast for a minimum of 10 paces followed by a minimum of 10 paces slow, with no normal paces in between. Handler and dog then proceed at a normal pace for 5 paces after which handler halts. Dog shall automatically sit, while remaining at handlers left, its shoulder even with the handlers knee. Handler influence and dogs that forge ahead or lagging behind will incur in a point deduction. The heel command may be given when changing pace and out of each starting position. The leash is held in the left hand and should be slack at all times.
EXERCISE 2: Heeling Through Crowd (15 points)
At judges order handler heels forward a minimum of 5 paces, and executes a left hand turn continues a minimum of 10 paces and proceeds to walk through a crowd of no less than 6 people, handler will heel in a figure eight pattern through crowd stopping in the center of the crowd. Judge will ask crowd to move in on dog while handler and dog remain in a basic position. At judges discretion the crowd will be dismissed. Judge will then dismiss handler and dog. Exercise complete
EXERCISE 3:Sit in Motion ( 15 points)
From the starting point, with the dog in the basic position, the handler walks straight ahead, dog heeling, a minimum of 10 paces and gives "sit" command, drops leash and without stopping, changing pace or looking back, continues forward another 30 paces, halts and turns to face the dog. At judge's order handler returns to dog, resumes basic position and returns with the dog to start point. Exercise complete
EXERCISE 4: Down in Motion with Recall ( 20 points)
From basic position dog and handler walk straight ahead a minimum of 10 paces, handler gives "down" command, upon which the dog should quickly lie down. Handler continues without stopping for another 30 paces, stops and turns facing the dog. Double commands, changing pace or looking back, are deemed handler help and will result in point deductions. At judge's signal handler recalls dog. Dog should run to handler sit directly in front. Judge will signal handler to finish dog. If dog is trained to recall directly to heel position this is acceptable but the judge must be informed before exercise begins. Once dog is in the basic position judge will signal handler to heel back to start point. Exersice complete
EXERCISE 5: Long Down ( 10 points)
At judge's direction handler will be asked to heel the dog to a designated area where the dog will be put on a long down. Handler will then be directed out of sight of the downed dog for a min. of 60 seconds. At judges signal handler will return to dog and heel back to starting point. Exercise complete
EXERCISE 6: Handler Loyalty ( 10 points)
The dog is put on lead by the handler and handed over to a second person. The handler then proceeds toward a group of people who are standing about 50 paces away. The dog is allowed to watch the departure of his handler until the handler has gone about half of the distance. At this point, the dog is taken behind a wall of similar structure so that his handler is no longer visible to him.
When the handler arrives at the group, he walks into the center of the group and stops. While he is in the group, the handler may not make himself noticeable to the dog across from him. The dog is taken from hiding and released from the lead by the second person. The behavior of the dog, especially the use of the nose, is to be observed during this exercise. When the dog has found his handler, he is to be praised. Verbal encouragement from the handler is permissible.
SCORING
100 TOTAL POINTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH A MINIMUM OF 60 POINTS TO PASS
EXERCISE 1: HEELING ON LEASH 30 POINTS
EXERCISE 2: HEELING THROUGH A CROWD 15 POINTS
EXERCISE 3: SIT IN MOTION 15 POINTS
EXERCISE 4: DOWN IN MOTION WITH RECALL 20 POINTS
EXERCISE 5: LONG DOWN 10 POINTS
EXERCISE 6: HANDLER LOYALTY 10 POINTS
PROTECTION
The dog shall wear a fur saver type collar, a wide buckle collar or a harness for this portion of the test. The handler must use a leash to move the dog from exercise to exercise although heeling is not required.
This portion of the test is based on 100 points, a minimum of 60 points is achieved in order to pass this portion of the test. Additionally each dog will be evaluated with regard to its temperament.
Guarding of Possessions (15 points)
The handler downs his dog in an open area designated by the judge. The dog is fastened securely to a chain that will not stretch. The dog may sit, lie down, or remain standing. With the command “Watch”, The handler lays a larger object in front of the dog (briefcase, suitcase, jacket, etc.). Then the handler goes away about 20 paces and stands still, always remaining within the dog’s sight. (Small objects which the dog could take in his mouth, and also bicycles, are not permitted). A group of people including the helper walk past the dog approximately 10 paces from the dog. Meanwhile, the dog must remain quietly by the object and may not show aggression. As the group turns and walks past the dog again, an attempt will be made to take the object away from the dog. The helper can not have any protection training equipment on/with him (scratch pants, sleeves, hidden sleeves, bite suits, whips, padded stick clatter stick). If the dog shows a threatening posture/attitude, the exercise is fulfilled.
By “threatening posture or attitude” is meant growling, barking or lunging (trying to grip). There should be no agitation of the dog here; the attempt to take the object is to be done without menacing actions. What is important is the general behavior of the dog. The person testing the dog is not allowed to circle around the dog, assume an aggressive stance or carry a stick. Once the dog has foiled the attempt to “take” his object away, the tester goes out of sight, and the dog must remain by the object in order to be able to renew his defense of it. After a pause of about half a minute, the handler picks up his dog on the judge’s signal.
Testing the Dog for Watchfulness
Part A (25 points)
The exercise takes place in a specially prepared “courtyard” (possibly a dog kennel), This fenced-in area must have dimensions of approximately 10 by 10 feet . As an alternative, a building may also be used for the exercise. Other arrangements may be utilized at the judge’s discretion.
The dog is placed free in the “courtyard”. The dog must watch every approach (by the helper) toward the fence with attentiveness. The dog must emphasize his attentiveness by barking.
Part B (35 points)
As soon as the dog has made himself noticeable, the helper takes flight. The handler then enters the fenced area and holds the dog firmly. The helper continues his flight and goes into hiding in an enclosed place that has been made secure for him. As soon as the helper has reached his “safe place”, the dog is released. He must immediately run to the hiding place and begin jumping up at it, and must indicate the hidden helper by barking. After approximately 30 seconds of barking, the handler leashed the dog, and the exercise is complete.
Part C – Watchfulness on the Running Wire (25 points )
The dog will be fastened securely on a chain, which is located on a running wire or cable that is about 15 meters long. The dog must show aggression when confronted by a helper coming from the side and agitating the dog. When the dog shows aggression, the helper will flee out of sight. Now the dog is confronted by a second helper who comes form the opposite direction, along the other end of the running wire, and likewise agitates the dog. Again, the dog must behave attentively and aggressively. One helper or multiple helpers may be used. If one helper is used, the helper must run from hiding place to hiding place making the dog run from one end of the line to the other. After the dog has fended the helper from both ends of the running line, and returns to the hiding place, the exercise is completed and the dog is picked up.
