Tracking Events
Tracking events have become very popular among dog owners, and many dogs earn the rare Tracking Dog (TD) and Tracking Dog Excellent titles (TDX). A newer competition called Variable Surface Tracking (VST) is open to the dogs that have won their TD or TDX titles. When the competitors on this category have attained the qualifying scores, they earn the VST designation.
Participating in organized events can be fun for both dog and owner. With a good training foundation who knows how far your dog can go.
Obedience Titles
The competition levels, what they include, and corresponding degree are:
Novice – Earning a Companion Dog (CD)
1. Heel on leash and figure 8
2. Stand for examination
3. Heel free
4. Recall
5. Long sit – one minute
6. Long down – three minutes
Open – Earning the Companion Dog Excellent title (CDX)
1. Heel off leash and figure 8
2. Drop on recall
3. Retrieve on flat
4. Retrieve on high jump
5. Broad jump
6. Long sit – three minutes (with owner out of sight)
7. Long down – five minutes (with owner out of sight)
Utility – Earning the Utility Dog (UD) Degree
1. Signal exercises
2. Scent discrimination – Article 1
3. Scent discrimination – Article 2
4. Directed retrieve
5. Moving stand and examination
6. Directed jumping
Those super dogs that have earned their Utility Dog titles are eligible to go on to compete for the next highest award – the Obedience Trial Championship (OTCh.).
