U.K.C. Obedience
Stewards Workshop
By Pat Kalbaugh & Doreen Palmer
Disclaimer: I have included Steward's Workshop for informational purposes only. This is the information that Capital Kennel Club of Juneau uses to train their stewards. However, I take no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or interpretation of the information on this page and I strongly urge anyone entering or stewarding at a U.K.C. Obedience Trial to obtain a copy of the rules and read the entire issue. Bloodlines Rules Special Issue can be obtained by writing: United Kennel Club Inc.
100 E. Kilgore Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001--5598
(616) 343-9020
Or check out the Official UKC Rules Online at: http://www.ukcdogs.com/rules/index.html
Related UKC Links
Why Steward?
Stewarding at an obedience trial is one of the best ways of learning about the sport of Dog Obedience. You have the opportunity to watch each ring performance up close. You will become even more familiar with the order of exercises. You will see how the ring set up, lighting, and other distractions affect different dogs and handlers. You may gain an appreciation of the complexity of judging. Volunteer to steward at a trial, it will be one of the best learning experiences you'll ever have.How Many Stewards?
Two ring stewards, one gate steward and one table steward are the optimum number of stewards to schedule for each obedience ring. One Chief Steward is used to oversee all obedience rings. With this configuration, you have enough stewards to relieve each other for short periods if necessary. It is advisiable to keep the same ring stewards during an entire class. It is preferable to keep the same stewards for at least a half a day, even more preferable to keep them the whole day. This will keep the ring running smoothly and make it easier on the judge. Stewards should be familiar with their job before the trial. Stewards should have a basic understanding of the ring exercises and the order of exercises. A practice run through for the stewards is most helpful. The Judge should explain, to the stewards, exactly what they expect them to do in the ring. If the Judge doesn't communicate what is expected, the Chief Steward should ask the Judge to explain so that everyone is clear on their duties. If you have any questions for the Judge, the acceptable time to ask is before the trial begins or after an exhibitor's run is finished. Never interrupt a Judge while he/she is scoring a performance unless it is an actual and real emergency. All stewards should pay attention to what they are doing and avoid unnecessary chatting as it may distract other stewards, exhibitors, dogs and the judge from the job at hand.Stewards Job Descriptions
Chief Steward: Responsible for soliciting and assigning stewards, in advance, to each position and making sure each steward knows what they are expected to do. Makes sure the all rings are completely equipped with a wicket, calculator, paper, pens and pencils, chalk, duct tape and a current UKC rulebook. Communicates with the judge(s) about their ring set up and helps the judge set up the initial ring. Is available to fill in for any of the other steward positions if necessary. If there is only one ring at a trial, the Chief Steward can also function as the Gate Steward. Gate Steward: Makes certain that the next dog in sequence is available for judging. Assists in watching the Honoring dog, helps in the group long sit exercise if needed, watches for nonconformances in the UKC obedience regulations and sees that each handler takes all their equipment with them when they leave the ring area. Table Steward: Prepares score sheets for the Judge, sets up Honoring dog's work sheet, prepares work sheet for group long sit, puts the awards in order for the Judge. The steward must never change any figures on the Judge's scoresheet, but he/she must bring errors to the Judge's attention. Stewards are not to mark scores or placements in the Judges Book. This is the responsibility of the Judge. Ring Stewards: Perform duties in the ring (see section below.)Ring Steward Duties
According to the UKC obedience regs, Judges rely heavily on the ring stewards. They are expected to watch the honoring dog and inform the judge if the dog moved from position. They are an active part of the Open ring as "walkers". It is important for the stewards to pay attention to the Judge while they are in the ring because it may affect the dog's performance if they don't. The two ring stewards along with the Judge should decide before each class begins what duties each steward will perform. Example: In Novice, which steward will escort the working dog and which will escort the honoring dog into the ring. Which steward will change the jump height (both stewards often do this in Novice), which side will each steward stand on the figure 8 and the recall over the high jump. Performing the same tasks and staying with a pattern, once one is established, helps keep the ring running smoothly. ~~~~~~~~~Utility
~~~~~~~~~ Before each Utility dog enters the ring the stewards should adjust the jump height for both the bar and high jump and set the jumps in a place that is accessible to the ring. Leash is removed from dog at ring gate and placed on judge's table along with scent articles and gloves. Leave ring after this. Signals & Heeling: Escort exhibitor to spot designated by judge for start of heeling. Leave ring. Scent Discrimination: Present exhibitors articles to judge. Judge selects one for handler to scent. Place remaining articles 15' from handler, 6-12" apart. Leave ring. Pick up articles after exercise. Directed Marked Retrieve: Place gloves in designated spots. Pick up after exercise. Leave ring. Directed Signal Retrieve: Same as above.
Consecutive Recalls: Check jump heights for next exercise if not already done. Directed Jumping: Set jumps up in ring and recheck height. Remove when done. Return leash to handler at the gate before the dog leaves the ring. ~~~~~~~~
Open
~~~~~~~~ Set the jump height and distance for the high jump and the broad jump. Leash is removed at the ring gate and is either carried by the handler to the honor position or, in the case of the working dog, is placed on the judge's table. Jumps are are removed for the long sits. Make sure jump heights are correct for each entry before they enter the ring. Honoring: Escort handler to designated spot. Remind handler to place leash and armband behind dog. Leave ring. Heel Off Lead: (Walker on H.O.L. Pattern): Escort exhibitor to designated spot to begin heeling. Steward goes to opposite end of heeling pattern. When Judge says "Forward" to handler, the "walker" steward begins to walk the heeling pattern in reverse. Walk inside of dog in opposite direction at normal speed. Do not slow down or look directly at dog when passing them. Do not halt when the judge "Halts" the handler and dog. Stay 4-6 feet away from the heeling pattern unless instructed otherwise by the judge. When you reach the place where the handler and dog began, stop and hold your position until the exercise is finished. This steward then proceeds to the Fig. 8 area of the ring and assumes their position for the figure 8. Figure 8 Posts: Be ready to go into the ring when the judge says, "exercise finished" on the Heel off lead. Go to the predetermined spot for the figure 8 and stand 8' apart facing each other, arms crossed. After the fig. 8 is over, hold your position until honoring dog is released. One steward will then proceed to the area designated for the Drop on Recall exercise and get set up to again "Walk". Drop On Recall: (Walker on D.O.R. Exercise) Stand 30'-40' opposite dog (across the ring) and positioned so that you will pass the dog on it's right side when dropped. (When the Handler is ordered to leave the dog, the handler will come and stand next to you on your right side.) On the Judge's signal, walk past downed dog to the spot where dog started. Stay at least 4 feet from the dog while passing. Do not look directly at the dog when passing and do not slow down. When you reach the opposite end of the ring, stop, turn and remain in position until the exercise is finished. Retrieve On The Flat: Bring dumbbell from the table to handler. Try not to touch the bite area of the dumbbell. Carry the dumbbell by the "bells". Leave ring. Retrieve Over The High Jump: Take dumbbell from handler after exercise is finished and leave ring. Broad Jump: The broad jump distance should have been set before the exhibitor entered the ring. During this exercise you should check on the next dog's distance and height measurements and be ready to reset the jumps. After last dog completes this exercise, both stewards will remove the high and broad jumps from ring. Group Long Sit: Assemble class in armband order, lead in and escort handlers to out of sight area. One steward will remain with handlers, but in sight of judge, the other will stay at the ring gate. ~~~~~~~~~
Novice
~~~~~~~~~ Jumps stay in the ring except during the group exercise (long sit). Height is changed between entries, make sure to check the jump height for the next entry. Honoring: Escort dog and handler to spot designated by judge before working dog enters the ring. Remind handler to place armband and leash behind dog. Show handler where to stand after leaving dog. Leave ring. Heel On Leash: Escort dog and handler to spot designated by judge. Leave ring. As soon as the judge says "exercise finished" both stewards should enter the ring and set up for the figure 8. Remember, the Honoring dog is still in the ring and time is an important factor here. Figure 8 Posts: Stand 8' apart, arms crossed, facing the other ring steward. After figure 8 is finished, both stewards hold their position until honoring dog is released. One steward will take leash from handler for stand for exam. Leave ring. Heel Off Leash: While this exercise is going on, check on jump height of next dog to enter ring, so that after the Recall you can reset the jump for the next dog. Be ready to enter the ring when the judge says, "exercise finished". Time is not as critical now as during the figure8, but stewards should still be ready to enter the ring without having to be called by the judge. Recall Over The High Jump: One steward stands on each side of the high jump. Stand 2' from jump upright, facing other steward. Reset jump height for next dog or remove for group exercise (long sit). One steward will return the exhibitors leash. They may carry the leash into the ring from the table when they go in the ring for the recall, as long as it goes in their pocket or some unobtrusive spot. Do not hold the leash in your hand during the recall or drape it around your neck. If you do not carry the leash in the ring, one steward must return to the table immediately after the recall exercise and bring the leash to the exhibitor. Group Long Sit: Assemble class in armband order. Lead to designated spot. Leave ring.
Please remember that the judge has the right to modify these guidelines within the scope of the rules, so if the Judge tells you to do something another way, respect their opinion and do it that way. Chances are, they have a good reason. Stewards should never disagree with the Judge over a rule, proceedure or performance. They should remain good natured and ask for an explanation if they don't understand and without interrupting the trial to do so. Stewards should refrain from offering opinions on the Judges rulings or scoring during the trial. If there is a discrepancy, the steward should bring the Judges attention to it, but the Judge has the final say in all matters pertaining to what decisions are made in the ring. Happy Stewarding!!!
Regarding copyright: You are welcome to use this information for your club, for classes, etc. Please do not print out the document, laminate the pages and offer them for sale. This is a misuse of the material, which we are providing free of charge. Please don't abuse this trust. If you use this material for a class, as a reference or at a seminar, I would appreciate hearing about it. You can e-mail me at: pat@siriusweb.com
...More UKC Links
UKC Obedience Stewards Job Descriptions ...Cheryl May has put together a downloadable reference for clubs including much of the information contained here in an easy to read format geared to be used at the Ringside Table. An excellent companion to this article!
Copyright © 1996 P. Kalbaugh and D. Palmer
All Rights Reserved