What does my dog have to know to show in Obedience?

Keep your dog leashed and always under control in public.  The breed looks vicious to the uninitiated and some people mistake Bulldogs for an aggressive breed.  With the hysteria sometimes seen today, it's better to be careful.   Don't give any a chance to think your dog is vicious or poorly controlled.  He can wind up confiscated or dead.

Obedience training in classes can start after six months old.  Before then, you should train your dog in basic responsibility.  Keep the training sessions short - the younger the dog the shorter his attention span.  When its no longer fun, for you or for him, it's time to stop for the day.  By the time he starts formal classes, your dog should at least have learned to come when called and walk calmly on a leash.

He should also have good manners in the house - obeying the limits you set.  He should stand on command and permit someone to handle him.  Not only is this good for the ring, your Vet will love it.  We also usually teach the dog to sit.  At ten weeks, he walks fairly well on a leash, comes happily when you call him and stands reasonably well.  To make coming fun, get down to his level and call him in a happy excited voice.  Praise him like crazy when he arrives.  Although he should be working for your praise, an occasional treat (a cookie or liver flavored treat) will help the process of getting him to focus.

If you are interested in showing your dog in obedience, you will find it a worthwhile experience.  Not many Bulldogs are shown in obedience, so they always attract attention.  People always ask questions when we take our dogs out and are surprised to see they are so well mannered.  It even helps in the conformation ring, where one of our Champions sat on his lounge outside the ring without moving while the other dogs are being shown.  He made a great hit with those passing by.

For your dog to compete in obedience, a dog must be registered with the AKC.  To obtain the first level (Novice) obedience title, your dog will have to learn some simple commands.  All exercises except the last two are conducted individually; the last two are group exercises.  Whenever you are required to give a command or signal in Obedience, a single command or signal only may be given by the handler, and any extra commands or signals must be penalized; except that whenever the AKC Regulations specify “command and/or signal” the handler may give either one or the other or both command and signal simultaneously.  If a handler gives an additional command or signal which is not permitted, either when no command or signal is permitted, or simultaneously with or following a permitted command or signal, or if a dog's name is used with a permitted signal but without a permitted command, the dog shall be scored as though it had failed completely to perform that particular part of the exercise.

Heal on lead.  The dog will start at a seated position at your left side.  He will move with you on command with his shoulder even with your left leg as you move.  The lead is held loosely, not pulling or restraining the dog.  The pattern consists of straight movement, left and right turns, an about turn, and two changes of pace from normal speed.

The Heel position as used in Obedience, whether the dog is sitting, standing, lying down, or moving at heel, means that the dog shall be straight in line with the direction in which the handler is facing, at the handler's left side, and as close as practicable to the handler's left leg without crowding, permitting the handler freedom of motion at all times. The area from the dog's head to shoulder shall be in line with the handler's left hip.

Walk a figure eight on lead.  On command, the dog will walk in heal position as you move in a figure eight around a defined course.  Change of pace and stops are included in the exercise.

Stand for examination.  The dog will stand off lead on command without moving his feet as the judge walks around him, placing his hand on the dog.

Recall.  The dog will sit off lead at the opposite side of the ring and at your command come directly to you and sit in front of you.  On command, the dog will return to the heal position at your left side.

In exercises in which the dog is required to Come to or return to the handler and Sit in Front, the handler's arms and hands shall hang naturally at his sides while the dog is coming in and until the dog has sat in front.  A substantial deduction shall be made if a handler's arms and hands are not hanging naturally at his sides while the dog is coming in and until the dog has sat in front.

Heal off lead.   The dog will perform the same pattern as in the on lead exercise, except without the lead.

In all exercises in which the dog is required to “heel free” one of the options below shall be followed: (1) the handler's arms and hands shall move naturally at the handler's sides while in motion, and shall hang naturally at the handler's sides while not in motion; or (2) the right hand and arm must move naturally, while the left hand shall be held against, and centered in the front of the body, in the area of the waist. The left forearm shall be carried, as much as possible, against the body

Sit-stay for one minute.   In a group, the dog will sit off lead on command and remain sitting until told it is released.  During the one minute exercise, you will walk across the ring from the dog and stand facing him and return to the dog to release him.

Down-stay for three minutes.  In a group, the dog will down off lead on command and remain down until released.  During the three minute exercise, you will walk across the ring from the dog and stand facing him and return to the dog to release him.