Obedience Training

Obedience Training

Obedience Class Grading Requirements

Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club provides a progressive obedience training program, allowing members and their dogs to advance through the Club's training classes as their skills develop.

Grading provides a consistent way of assessing when a dog and handler are ready to progress to the next level of training.

Obedience Training Pathway

Kindergarten/Club Orientation → Class 1 → Class 2 → Class 3 → Class 4 → Club Medal → Club Medal Excellent

KINDERGARTEN/CLUB ORIENTATION

Kindergarten / Club Orientation provides new members with an introduction to the Club, basic dog handling and communication skills, and the foundations required to commence training in Class 1.

Progression to Class 1

Grading takes place at the end of the class.

Handlers are introduced to the Club and provided with information on basic dog handling and communication.

Handlers and their dogs attend this class for one week only before progressing to Class 1.

CLASS 1

Progression to Class 2

Grading takes place each Sunday at the end of class.

At this level, handlers may encourage their dogs verbally and repeat commands. Checking the dog is not penalised. Clickers and food rewards (luring) are permitted.

Grading Requirements

To progress to Class 2, the handler and dog are expected to demonstrate:

  • a developing level of communication between handler and dog;
  • the handler's ability to touch, encourage and direct the dog during heeling patterns;
  • heeling on a loose lead, as much as possible;
  • execution of left and right turns and sits;
  • basic handling skills; and
  • the handler's knowledge and ability to communicate commands to the dog. 

CLASS 2

Progression to Class 3

Grading takes place on the second Sunday of each month.

At this level, handlers may encourage their dogs verbally but should only occasionally repeat commands.

Checking the dog is penalised. Consistent checking of the dog will result in a failure.

Clickers and food rewards (luring) are not permitted. Canine bridles and halters are permitted.

Grading Requirements

To progress to Class 3, the handler and dog are expected to demonstrate:

  • Loose lead work at all paces;
  • Heeling at all paces on a loose lead, including sits and stands using signal and voice only. Downs are performed without force, although the dog may be guided down by the lead;
  • Sit Stay: handler beside the dog for one minute;
  • Down Stay: handler beside the dog for one minute; and
  • Handling: the handler demonstrates the ability to communicate commands effectively to the dog.

CLASS 3

Progression to Class 4

Grading takes place on the third Sunday of each month.

At this level, handlers may encourage their dogs verbally but may only issue one command.

Handling or checking the dog will incur a penalty. Consistent checking will result in a failure.

Clickers and food rewards (luring) are not permitted. Canine bridles and halters are not permitted.

Grading Requirements

To progress to Class 4, the handler and dog are expected to demonstrate:

  • Loose lead work at all paces, including automatic sits;
  • Heeling at all paces on a loose lead, with sits, stands and downs performed using signal and voice only. The handler is not to touch or guide the dog into position;
  • Stand for Examination, with the dog beside the handler, conducted to the applicable CCD standard. Movement of all four paws will result in failure;
  • Sit Stay: handler 1.5 metres in front of the dog for one minute;
  • Down Stay: handler 1.5 metres in front of the dog for two minutes; and
  • Handling: the handler demonstrates the ability to communicate commands effectively to the dog.

CLASS 4

Class 4 is the highest level within the Club's regular obedience class grading structure.

Handlers and dogs who have successfully graded to Class 4 may continue their progression through the Club's Club Medal grading program.

CLUB MEDAL

Progression from Class 4

To participate in grading for Club Medal, the dog and handler must:

  • be current financial members of Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club Inc.; and
  • have successfully graded to Class 4.

Grading Requirement

To obtain Club Medal, the dog and handler must achieve three qualifying passes to the applicable Community Companion Dog (CCD) trial standard through the Club's grading program.

Assessments are conducted under trial-style conditions. Food and clickers are not permitted during the assessment and normal trial-style handling requirements apply.

A qualifying pass obtained at an external trial does not count towards the three Club grading passes required for Club Medal.

Eligibility for Club Medal ceases once the dog has attained its CCD title.

CLUB MEDAL EXCELLENT

Progression from Club Medal

To participate in grading for Club Medal Excellent, the dog and handler must:

  • be current financial members of Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club Inc.;
  • have successfully graded to Class 4; and
  • have obtained Club Medal.

Grading Requirement

To obtain Club Medal Excellent, the dog and handler must achieve three qualifying passes to the applicable Novice (CD) trial standard through the Club's grading program.

Assessments are conducted under trial-style conditions. Food and clickers are not permitted during the assessment and normal trial-style handling requirements apply.

A qualifying pass obtained at an external trial does not count towards the three Club grading passes required for Club Medal Excellent.

Eligibility for Club Medal Excellent ceases once the dog has attained its CD title.

 

Dogs Australia Obedience Trialling Standards

For some general information about what is expected of you and your dog to obtain an Obedience title, below is a brief description of each level of Obedience trialling.

These rules can change from time to time, so if you need more information about an exercise, ask your instructor or enquire at our Clubhouse.

For all current rules and requirements, refer to the Dogs Australia Rules for the Conduct of Obedience Trials – effective 1 January 2026 (link below).

Dogs Australia Rules for the Conduct of Obedience Trials

Community Companion Dog (CCD)

This is the introductory level of Obedience competition.

In this class the exercises are:

  1. Heel on Lead – The dog and handler work together as a team on a loose lead through normal, slow and fast pace, including turns, sits, stands, downs and a Figure Eight.
  2. Stand for Examination on Lead – The dog stands steadily on a loose lead while the handler stands in front of the dog and the judge examines the dog.
  3. Recall – The dog is left sitting while the handler walks at least 12 metres away. When called, the dog comes promptly to the handler and sits directly in front.
  4. Sit Stay (Individual) – The dog remains sitting while the handler walks approximately 10 metres away, turns and returns to the dog.
  5. Down Stay (Individual) – The dog remains in the down position while the handler walks approximately 10 metres away, turns and returns to the dog.

Three passes of a minimum 85 points out of a possible 100 points, under at least two different judges, will qualify the dog for the award Community Companion Dog (CCD).

Companion Dog (CD) – Novice

Obedience trialling at Novice level consists of a number of off-lead exercises performed in a formal ring situation.

The exercises are:

  1. Heel Free – The dog heels off lead through normal, slow and fast pace, including turns, sits, stands, downs and a Figure Eight.
  2. Stand Free for Examination – The dog stands off lead while the handler moves approximately two metres away for the examination.
  3. Recall – The dog is recalled from at least 15 metres, sits in front of the handler, then finishes at heel.
  4. Handler's Choice – Either Retrieve Dumbbell on Flat or Change of Position.
  5. Stand Stay (Individual) – The dog remains standing while the handler moves approximately five metres away and the judge circles the dog.
  6. 1 Minute Down Stay (Individual) – The dog remains in the down position for one minute while the handler stands approximately five metres away.

Three passes of a minimum 170 points out of a possible 200 points, under at least two different judges, will qualify the dog for the award Companion Dog (CD).

Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) – Open

At Open level the standard of work becomes higher and introduces more advanced retrieving, jumping and sendaway exercises.

The exercises are:

  1. Heel Free – A more demanding off-lead heeling exercise.
  2. Stand Free for Examination – The handler leaves the dog approximately five metres away while the judge examines the dog.
  3. Drop on Recall – The dog is recalled, drops during the recall, then completes the recall.
  4. Retrieve Dumbbell on Flat – The dog retrieves a dumbbell thrown at least six metres.
  5. Handler's Choice – Either Retrieve Dumbbell over Solid Jump or Directed Retrieve.
  6. Handler's Choice – Either Broad Jump or Distance Control.
  7. Directed Sendaway – The dog is sent to a designated area and sits within it.

Three passes of a minimum 170 points out of a possible 200 points, under at least two different judges, will qualify the dog for the award Companion Dog Excellent (CDX).

Utility Dog (UD)

At Utility level the dog performs more complex exercises involving scent work, directed jumping and greater independence from the handler.

The exercises are:

  1. Seek Back – The dog follows the handler's track to locate and retrieve a scented article.
  2. Command Exercise – Off-lead heeling followed by commands performed at a distance.
  3. Directed Jumping – The dog is sent to a designated area before completing the jump directed by the judge.
  4. Scent Discrimination – The dog retrieves the correct leather, metal and wooden articles scented by the handler.
  5. Handler's Choice – Either Speak on Command, Food Refusal or Directed Retrieve.
  6. Moving Positions – The dog performs sits, stands and downs while the handler continues moving.
  7. Group Examination – Dogs complete a group stand for examination.

Three passes of a minimum 170 points out of a possible 200 points, under at least two different judges, will qualify the dog for the award Utility Dog (UD).

Utility Dog Excellent (UDX)

Utility Dog Excellent combines advanced scent work, distance control and multiple retrieving exercises.

Under the current rules, a dog that has completed its CDX title may also follow the non-jumping pathway directly to UDX without first completing a UD title.

The exercises are:

  1. Seek Back with Decoy Article – The dog must retrieve the correct handler-scented article while ignoring a decoy article.
  2. Positions in Motion – The dog performs sits, stands and downs while the handler continues moving through a heel pattern.
  3. Scent Discrimination – Judge's Scent – The dog retrieves the cloth carrying the judge's scent.
  4. Directed Sendaway and Recall – The dog is sent to a nominated area before being recalled back into heelwork.
  5. Distance Control – The dog performs six position changes from a distance.
  6. Multiple Retrieve – The dog retrieves two designated articles from three placed articles.
  7. Group Examination – Dogs complete a group stand for examination.

Three passes of a minimum 170 points out of a possible 200 points, under at least two different judges, will qualify the dog for the award Utility Dog Excellent (UDX).

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