Novice and Pre-Novice Classes

Participating in dog sports is a great way to bond with your dog and have fun together. Taking a series of classes and practicing what you learned can be a rewarding journey. Continue that journey, deepen that bond and have even more fun with your dog by participating in AKC Obedience trials. This class progression list shows classes available at OTCPBC that form a good foundation before beginning competition obedience classes.

AKC Novice Levels

BEGINNER NOVICE – This competition level is a great way to start competing with your dog. All the exercises are performed on-leash, with the exception of the Recall. Exercises include:

• Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – shows whether the dog has learned
  to watch its handler while walking on-leash and will adjust its pace to
  the handler.
• Sit for Exam – the dog must sit in place while the handler holds the leash and steps out 6 feet. The judge will approach and touch the dog’s head and the dog must not display any resentment.
• Sit Stay – the dog must remain sitting in place, with its leash attached, while the handler walks around the inside perimeter of the ring.
• Recall – demonstrates that the dog will remain in a place where they were left until called by the handler to come to them.

NOVICE – For the dog just getting started in obedience that can work on- and off-leash. Exercises include:

• Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – this exercise is performed the same as in the Beginner Novice class.
• Stand for Examination – for this off-leash exercise the dog must stay in a standing position as its handler walks about 6 feet away. The judge will then lightly touch the dog on the head, body and hindquarters. Like in the Sit for Exam, the dog must not display any resentment.
• Heel Free – dogs will heel off-leash doing the same routine as they did
  on-leash, except they will not perform the Figure Eight.
• Recall – Demonstrates that the dog will come to the handler on command.
• Sit Stay – Get Your Leash – this exercise is to demonstrate that the dog will remain in the sit position, while the handler goes to get the dog’s leash.
• Group Exercise – Sit & Down Stay – this exercise will demonstrate the dog’s ability to remain in the sit and down position, with other dogs in the ring and is performed on-leash

AKC Obedience Titles

A qualifying performance indicates that the dog has performed all the required exercises in the class entered according to AKC Obedience Regulations and justifies the awarding of a qualifying score. Novice Titles include Beginner Novice (BN) and Companion Dog (CD).

Pre Novice, Transition to Competition Classes

Class Name	Description	Prerequisites	What to Bring
CO Beyond the Basics	This class uses play and food to introduce intermediate obedience skills that will improve your dog’s focus and enthusiasm for work. Skills included: Go to Place (10 feet); Stay with Release (Distractions); Send around Object; Send over Jump; Front (Dog sits in front of you); Finish (Dog puts himself in heel position); Find Mine (scent work).	Basic Obedience. Dogs should be reliable “off leash” (they will work with a short leash hanging from the collar). They should know Sit, Down, Come, and Stay. Because dogs work off leash, dogs that do not like other dogs will not enjoy this class	Materials needed: Short leash (18″ – 2′), Mat or area rug for place training, Small cone
CO Novice Prep School	The Novice Prep class is important, because it is the foundation for the higher levels and gives the handler the opportunity to work with their dog in a show ring setting. Dogs should learn to be confident, steady, and motivated workers. Skills included: This class will include working with Rally signs, motivated heel exercises including: the figure 8, learning to get attention from your dog even when distracted, fun recalls, fronts, a steady confident sit with exam, the sit stay while you walk around the ring, and the recall from approximately 25 feet away.	To participate in this class, dogs must have taken basic and intermediate classes and/or Rally Novice classes. You do not have to have a title.	Come to class with plenty of training treats and the motivation to have fun!

Class Name	Starts	Instructor	Click Button to Register
CO Beyond the Basics	TBD	TBD
CO Novice Prep School (7897)	Saturdays, 6/22-8/3/24 at 10:15 am No Class 7/20/24	Patty Armfield	REGISTER HERE

---

Novice Level Classes

Class Name	Description	Prerequisites	What to Bring
CO Novice Foundation I	Let’s get ready to earn your Novice CD Title. We will begin work on heeling and learn how to motivate our dogs. Yes….figure 8’s can be fun and let’s learn a kick back stand for exam. Recalls with emphasis on the all too important front. Sit and down stay for 1 minute on a 6’ leash. So are you ready? Come join the fun and let’s get started on the road to a title.	To be ready for this class it is helpful to have taken one or more of these classes: Basic, Intermediate, Beyond the Basics, Novice Prep School, CGC.	6’ leash, assorted treats, tug toy, jackpot jar (filled with high value treats)
CO Novice Foundation II	This second level class is designed for continuing education of all the novice level exercises. We will add duration to some of the exercises as well as focus with motivation. We will continue to break down each exercise to help handlers and dogs gain confidence and have a clear understanding of what is expected in this level to earn the CD title.	To participate in this class it is helpful if dogs have completed Novice Foundation l. Or have taken a basic, intermediate or novice prep class. No titles needed.	6’ leash, short heeling leash, string cheese, other assorted treats, tug toy, clicker and a jack pot jar.
CO Novice Foundation III Pre-Open	In this third level we will put emphasis on heeling on and off lead. Continue to work on recalls, fronts and finishes, stand and figure 8. We will put exercises together for a ring ready performance. We will introduce dumbbell and start retrieve procedures. We will also start work on jumping.	To participate in this class dogs must have taken a basic or CGC class it is also helpful to take our Novice Prep School class. Dogs do not need to have a title.	6’ leash, short heel leash, tug toy, clicker, assorted treats, target lid, jack pot jar, and a dumbbell if you have one. If not one can be ordered.
CO Novice/Pre-Open Review	This class is designed for a review of all novice level exercises. We will work on specific problems you might have with heeling, stand, recalls, fronts and stays. We will address the proper footwork for heel as well as learning what is acceptable handling techniques for each exercise. Please make a note of where you are having trouble so we can address your problems in class.	Novice Foundation 1-3	6’ leash, short heel leash, tug toy, clicker, assorted treats, target lid, jack pot jar, and a dumbbell if you have one. If not one can be ordered.

Class Name	Starts	Instructor	Click Button to Register
CO Novice Foundation I
CO Novice Foundation II
CO Novice Foundation III Pre-Open
CO Novice/Pre-Open Review

Drop-in Drill Classes

Drill Class Levels/ Instructor	Description	Prerequisites	What to Bring
Novice Drill/ Betty Gansky 11:30am to 12:30pm 6/21/24 6/28/24 7/12/24	In Novice Drill class we will be practicing heeling in group as well as individual short sequences with & without distractions. All of the exercises in both Beginner Novice & Novice will be perfected to go into the ring successfully. Learn how to heel successfully without lagging & nagging!	To participate in this class, dogs must have taken Basic and Intermediate Obedience classes. They must also be almost ready to compete in Beginner Novice or Novice Obedience. You do not have to have a title to participate.	6′ leash, a piece of string or ribbon to slip thru the collar loop as well as several types of treats including one for high level rewards only.