UTILITY CLASS

(CKC OBEDIENCE TRIAL Rules and Regulations, UTILITY CLASS, 2005)

The obedience Utility Class shall be for Purebred dogs of any breed (and those breeds as designated on the list of Miscellaneous Class breeds) and of either sex which shall have earned the title of C.D.X. (Companion Dog Excellent) in Canada.

Dogs in this class may be handled or exhibited by the owner or any other person. However, the same person must handle the dog in all exercises.


Tests, Order of Judging & Scores

The tests, order of judging and scores for a perfect performance in the Utility Class shall be:

Seek Back		30 points
Scent Discrimination Article No.1		30 points
Scent Discrimination Article No.2		30 points
Signal Exercise		40 points
Moving Stand		30 points
Directed Jump		40 points
Maximum Total Score: 200 points

Seek Back

The orders for this exercise are "Forward", (followed by any other orders which the judge may give from the Heel Free routine, "Right Turn", "Left Turn", "About Turn", "Slow", "Normal", "Fast", etc..), --- "Drop It", "Halt", "Send Your Dog", "Take It", "Finish", "Exercise Finished".

In the Seek Back, the handler will stand with the dog in the heel position and, on order from the judge, will signal or command the dog to walk at heel and then, on specific order or signal from the judge, will execute such portions of the heel free exercise as the judge may order. On order from the judge to "Drop It", the handler will surreptitiously drop the glove while walking with the dog at heel. The glove must be plain and dark, must be approved by the judge, and must be carried in the right hand. After the handler and the dog have proceeded at least 9.14m (30') following the dropping of the glove, on order or signal from the judge, the handler will turn and halt, facing the end of the ring where the glove was dropped. Then, on order or signal from the judge, the handler will give the command to seek and retrieve the glove.

The handler must not point to the glove, but may point in the direction of the trail, and he is to remain in the place from which the dog is sent. The dog may retrieve either by sight or scent and is expected to pick up the glove, smartly return to the handler, and sit in front of the handler holding the glove. Upon order from the judge "Take It", the handler may command the dog to give it up, then the handler takes it. Upon order or signal from the judge, "Finish", the dog on command or signal should go smartly to heel.

The principal features of this exercise are that the dog shall, on command, seek and retrieve the glove and return promptly with it to the handler.

A score of zero shall be given any dog that fails to leave the handler on the first command, or goes before commanded, or does not continue to seek, or does not find and pick up the glove, or does not return close enough for the handler to take it without moving either foot, or refuses to give up the glove.

Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be given for poor heeling, or playing with the glove, or going or returning slowly, or failure to return directly, or reluctance to release the glove. All penalties listed under the Heel Free exercises and Retrieve on Flat shall apply.


Scent Discrimination

The orders for each of these exercises are "Take An Article", "Send Your Dog", "Take It", "Finish", "Exercise Finished".

Scent Discrimination consists of 2 separate exercises in which the dog must select by scent and retrieve an article that has been handled by the handler. The articles shall be provided by the handler and shall consist of 3 sets, each of 5 identical articles; one set each of wood, metal and leather. The articles in each set must be legibly numbered 1 through 5. When 2 trials are held on one day, an additional set of articles numbered 1 through 5 or articles numbered 6 shall be substituted for the articles used in the first trial. The handler shall present all the articles to the judge, who shall select 2 articles, 1 from any 2 of the 3 sets. These 2 articles shall be placed on the judge's table or a chair until the judge orders the handler to "Take An Article". The remaining 13 articles are placed in full view, about 4.57m (15') in front of the handler and the dog, about 15.24cm (6") apart and may be handled by the steward or judge.

After the articles are placed, the handler will turn his back to the articles. When ordered by the judge, the handler will chose one of the 2 designated articles. The handler should confirm the number of the articles with the judge and one steward. The handler, with hands remaining in sight, imparts his scent to the article. When ready or when requested by the judge the handler will put the scented article on the judge's book or clipboard, and the judge will place it among the other articles.

Taking the article from the handler will be considered the first order, and scoring of the exercise will begin at that time.

The judge will then give the order "Send Your Dog". The handler may either give the dog the command or signal to heel, execute a right about turn, stop to face the articles (at which point the dog sits at heel), and then give the command or signal to retrieve. Or, the handler may give the command or signal to retrieve before executing the right about turn towards the articles. The method by which the handler sends the dog must be the same for both articles.

In either case, the handler may give the dog his scent by cupping the palm of one hand in front of the dog's nose before giving the command or signal to retrieve. However, the hand must be returned to a normal position before the command or signal to retrieve is given.

The dog shall go briskly to the articles, but may take a reasonable time to select the right article provided the dog works continuously. After finding and picking up the right article, the dog should bring it briskly to the handler. The exercise is completed as in the retrieve exercises.

The same procedure is followed in each of the 2 Scent Discrimination exercises. Should a dog retrieve a wrong article in any of the 2 exercises, the article shall be placed on the judge's table or chair and the handler's article must also be removed from the remaining articles. At the close of these exercises, the articles shall be picked up and returned to the judge's table.

The principal features of this exercise are the dog's selection of the handler's articles from among the other articles, by scent alone, and returning the articles promptly to the handler.

A score of zero shall be given any dog which fails on the first command or signal to go out to the articles, goes before commanded, which fails to return the correct article close enough for the handler to take it without moving either foot, or fails to give up the article, or a handler who changes his method of sending the dog.

Substantial deduction shall be made for a dog that is excessively slow going or returning, or which picks up a wrong article, even though the dog puts it down immediately.

Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be made for a dog that is slow, or inattentive, or does not work continuously, or plays excessively with the articles, or mouths the articles, or has a poor sit, or is reluctant to give up the article to the handler, or has a poor finish.

All applicable penalties listed under Retrieve on the Flat shall apply.


Signal Exercise

The orders for this exercise are "Forward", "Left Turn", "Right Turn", "About Turn", "Halt", "Slow", "Normal", "Fast", "Stand Your Dog", "Leave Your Dog", and in addition the judge must give the handler signals to signal the dog to "Drop", to "Sit", to "Come", and to "Finish".

In the Signal Exercise the heeling is done in the same manner as the Heel Free exercise except that throughout the entire exercise the handler uses signals only and must not speak to the dog at any time.

On order or signal from the judge, "Forward", the handler signals the dog to walk at heel and then, on specific order from the judge in each case, the handler and the dog execute a "Left Turn", "Right Turn", "About Turn", "Halt", "Slow", "Fast", "Normal". These orders may be given in any sequence and may be repeated if necessary.

On order from the judge, the handler signals the dog to "Stand" in the heel position near the end of the ring. The signal to Stand the dog must be given while the handler and dog are heeling at a Normal pace. On further order from the judge to "Leave Your Dog", the handler signals the dog to stay, goes to the far end of the ring, and turns to face the dog. Then, on specific signals from the judge, the handler signals the dog to drop, to sit, to come and to finish, after which the judge will say "Exercise Finished". All signals must be given smartly with one single gesture, with either arm and hand only.

The principal features of this exercise are the heeling of the dog as described for the Heeling exercises, and the dog's ability to respond correctly to the handler's signals.

A score of zero shall be given to any dog that on a single signal fails to stand and remain standing where left, or to drop, or to sit and stay, or come close to the handler, or which receives an audible command to do any part of these exercises.

Substantial deductions shall be made for any audible command given during the heeling part of the exercise of for the finish.

Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be made for a dog that makes minor moves on the stand, and/or drop, and/or sit portions of the exercises.

All applicable penalties listed under Heel Free and Recall exercises shall apply.


Moving Stand & Examination

Orders for the exercise are "Forward", "Stand Your Dog", "Call Your Dog", "Finish". The handler will stand with his dog sitting in heel position at a point indicated by the judge.

The judge will ask "Are Your Ready?" and shall give the order "Forward". The handler may command or signal the dog to heel, and walk at a normal pace. After the handler has proceeded about 3.05m (10'), the judge will order "Stand Your Dog". The handler will, without pausing command and/or signal the dog to stand and continue forward about 3.05m - 3.66m (10'-12') and turn around either to the right or left, and stand facing the dog. The dog must stand and stay in position. The judge will approach the dog from the front to examine the dog as in conformation judging by going over it with his hands, except that the judge shall not open the dog's mouth or touch the dog's testicles. The judge will order, "Call Your Dog", whereupon the handler will command or signal the dog to come. The dog will come at a brisk pace and sit in front of the handler, and on further command from the judge, the handler will command or signal the dog to go promptly to heel position beside the handler.

The principal features of the exercise are that the dog heels, stands and stays as the handler moves away, accepts the examination without shyness or resentment and returns to the handler on command.

A score of zero will be given to any dog that displays fear or resentment, moves from the place where it was left, sits or lies down before it is called, growls or snaps, repeatedly whines or barks, fails to heel, stand, stay, accept the judge's examination or fails to return to the handler.

Substantial or minor penalties, depending on the extent, should be made for the handler who hesitates or pauses while giving the stand command and or signal.

Substantial or minor deductions must be made for a dog that moves, depending upon the circumstances, its feet repeatedly while remaining in place. All appropriate penalties of the Novice Heel Free, Stand For Examination and Recall exercises will apply.


Directed Jumping

The orders for each part of this exercise are, (first part), "Send Your Dog". After the dog is sitting at the far end of the ring, the judge shall designate which jump (Bar Jump or High Jump) is to be taken by the dog. The judge must not designate the jump to be taken until the dog is at the far end of the ring. The orders at the end of the exercise will be "Finish", "Exercise Finished". In both parts of this exercise, the orders are given in the same manner, other than the designated jump.

In the Directed Jumping exercise, the jumps shall be placed mid-way in the ring at right angles to the sides of the ring, not less than 4.27m (14') apart. The bar jump is to be placed on one side and the high jump on the other side. The jump shall be jumped clear and the jumps shall be as nearly as possible to the height of the dog at the withers, or 90cm (36"), whichever is less, except for the breeds and heights listed in Appendix "C" and "D". The handler will stand with the dog at heel position on the center line of the ring about 6.09m (20') from the line of the jumps.

On order from the judge, "Send Your Dog", the handler commands and /or signals the dog to go forward at a brisk pace between the jumps to the other end of the ring to an equal distance beyond the jumps and in the approximate center where the handler stops the dog by command. Whereupon, the dog should stop, turn and sit, with its attention on the handler. The dog need not sit squarely at this point.

The judge will then designate which jump (bar jump or high jump) is to be taken first; whereupon, the handler commands and/or signals the dog to return over the designated jump. The signal must be a single gesture with one arm and hand only, and the arm must be promptly returned to its normal position. While the dog is in mid-air, the handler may turn to face the dog as it lands. The dog shall sit in front of the handler and finish as in the recall exercise.

When the dog is in heel position for the second part of the exercise, the judge will ask "Are Your Ready?" before giving the order "Send Your Dog" for the second jump. The same procedure is to be followed for the opposite jump. It is the judge's option which jump he designates to be taken first but both jumps must be taken to complete the exercise.

The principal features of this exercise are that the dog shall go away from the handler in the direction indicated, stop when commanded, and jump as directed.

A score of zero shall be given to a dog that does not leave the handler, that leaves before the command and/or signal is given, does not go out between the jumps, does not go out and stop on command at least 3.08m (10'0 beyond the jumps, that does not jump as directed in either half of the exercise, climbs the jump, or knocks off the bar, or a handler that gives a second command to jump.

Substantial deductions shall be given to any dog that does not sit on command.

Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be given to any dog that does not stop in the approximate centre of the ring about 6.09m (20') beyond the line of the jumps, or is slow in going or returning, or touches the jumps, or a handler that turns to face the dog before it has jumped or after it has landed.

All applicable deductions listed under Recall shall apply. Jump height requirements of retrieve over High Jump shall also apply.


Utility Dog Title (U.D.)

The CKC will permit the use of the letters U.D. signifying Utility Dog, to be used in connection with and after the name of each dog which has met the requirements for that title as hereinafter provided.

There need not be any specified number of dogs in competition in the Utility Class. To be permitted to use the title Utility Dog a dog must:

Be registered in the records of the CKC, or if a miscellaneous class breed, holds a CKC Miscellaneous Class Certification number, or if foreign born and owned, the dog must have a CKC registration number, or an Event Registration Number or Performance Event Number (PEN). Receive a qualifying score of more than 50% of the available points in each of the 6 exercises and a total score of 170 or more points in the Utility Class at 3 obedience trials held under these regulations. Receive 3 qualifying scores under at least 2 different judges.

When the foregoing requirements for the title of Utility Dog are fully met, the owner (who must be recorded as owner in the records of the CKC) shall be entitled to a certificate issued by the CKC certifying that the title has been earned at approved trials held under CKC regulations.


Obedience Trial Champion (O.T.Ch.)

Any dog having attained the 3 obedience trial titles of C.D., C.D.X., and U.D. shall be recognized as an Obedience Trial Champion, and shall be entitled to bear the prefix O.T.CH. before its name.