This document is an overview of the UKC Obedience Program and is intended to be used for informational and casual educational purposes only. It is not expected to replace the UKC Obedience rules published by the United Kennel Club and I strongly urge anyone intending to enter a UKC Obedience Trial to obtain a copy of the rules and read them in their entirety. A copy of the UKC Obedience Rules can be obtained by writing:

United Kennel Club Inc.
100 E. Kilgore. Rd.
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001-5596

Main Reference for this document: Bloodlines 1996 Special Rules Issue

The Utility Class

Class Divisions

Utility B is for dogs that have already obtained the U-UD title or it's equivalent in another registry (American and/or Canadian Kennel Clubs), for handlers that are or have instructed obedience at the utility level and for handlers that are or have been professional trainers.

Utility A is for dogs that have obtained the title of U-CDX but not U-UD or it's equivalent. Dogs exhibited in this class must be owned by the handler or the handler's immediate family.

The Utility Ring Set Up

Each exercise begins when the handler responds affirmatively to the judges question, "Are you ready?" and ends when the judge says, "Exercise finished".

Signals & Heeling: 30 Pts.

Image: Heeling & Signal Exercise

This exercise tests the ability, willingness and training of the dog to remain in "heel position" while off lead and to respond to non-verbal signals given by the handler during the entire exercise.

When performed correctly, the heeling portion of this exercise can be compared to ballroom dancing with the dog as the handler's partner and the team appearing to perform as one.

The judge determines what the heeling pattern will be before the first dog enters the ring and it shall remain the same for every dog thereafter for that particular class. The heeling pattern can be anything the judge decides but must include the following orders: Forward, Halt, Right Turn, Left Turn, About Turn, Fast and Slow.

At the conclusion of the heeling pattern, the judge will issue the order: "Stand Your Dog", while handler and dog are still heeling. On the "Stand Your Dog" order from the judge, the handler will give the dog an inaudible signal while heeling to the dog to stop heeling but remain standing. When the dog and handler are stationary (with the dog in the standing position) the judge will order the handler to "Leave Your Dog". When the judge orders, "Leave Your Dog", the handler may issue a "stay" signal and must leave the dog promptly, walk to the ring barrier, turn and face the dog. The judge will then signal the handler to "down" the dog. The handler signals the dog to down. When the dog is down, the judge signals the handler to "sit the dog" and the handler signals the dog to sit. When the dog is sitting, the judge signals the handler to call the dog to front and the handler signals the dog to come to front. When the dog is in the front position, the judge will order or signal the handler to have the dog "finish" and the handler signals the dog to return to heel position. The judge then orders: "Exercise Finished".

A dog will NQ on this exercise by leaving the ring, not remaining in heel position a majority of the time while heeling, or by losing more than half of the available points on this exericse for lagging, heeling wide, forging, barking or whining, bumping the handler. A dog will also NQ this exercise by not performing or anticipating the down, sit or recall signals as well as the handler using any audible signal during the entire exercise. A major deduction will be assessed if the dog does not perform or anticipates the "finish". A major or minor deduction, depending upon the severity, will be assessed for a dog that walks forward on the stand, sit or down portion of the exercise.

Image: Scent Discrimination Exercise

The primary purpose of this exercise is for the dog to select the correct article that has been scented by the handler from among 5 metal articles by using scenting abilities and returning the article to the handler.

The articles are to be made of metal and numbered for identification and all be identical except for the numbers. The articles are presented to the judge who selects one or allows the handler to select one article. The remaining four articles are taken by the steward to a spot designated by the judge approximately fifteen feet behind the dog and handler and are laid out in a random pattern approximately 6-12 inches apart. NOTE: The handler and dog's back are to the articles while they are being placed by the steward. The exception may occur at outdoor trials only where it is up to the judge whether to have ALL handlers face the articles while they are being placed.

While the steward is placing the articles on the floor, the handler proceeds to scent the selected article with his scent. The judge will ask if the handler is "ready", at which point the handler must place the scented article on the judges clipboard. The judge then places the scented article among the non-scented articles and orders the handler to "about turn". The handler may elect to give the dog the "scent" by touching the dog's nose and immediately returning his hand to normal heel position before the turn. The handler and dog then perform a right about turn in place to face the articles and await the judges next command. The dog must sit before being sent to find the article.

The judge then orders the handler to "Send your dog" and the handler may command and/or signal the dog to, "Find it". The dog must go promptly to the articles, use his nose to find the correct article and retrieve it to the handler as in the Open Retrieve On The Flat Exercise.

The dog will NQ this exercise if he does not retrieve the correct article or leaves before being sent. Major deduction will be assessed if the dog picks up an incorrect article even if he drops it and brings the correct article. Minor deductions will be assessed for slow go out or return, a dog that does not work continuously, is inattentive or does not sit straight in front of the handler upon returning or after the About Turn before sending. There will be no deductions for a dog that works continuously.

Directed Marked Retrieve...from the handlers side.: 30 Pts.

Image: Position of Gloves For Directed Marked Retrieve

The primary purpose of this exercise is for the dog to retrieve the glove it is directed to retrieve from among three gloves that are laid on the floor in a diamond pattern. To best visualize where the gloves are positioned, it is easiest to think of a baseball diamond. The dog and handler are positioned at "Home Plate" on the center line of the ring facing the gloves. Glove number one is positioned at third base, glove number 2 at second base and glove number 3 at First Base [See Image]. The gloves are placed by the steward in full view of the dog and handler who are facing the gloves.

The judge gives the handler the number of the glove to be retrieved (either #1, #2 or #3). The handler may (but is not required to) pivot to face the glove and gives a signal and/or command for the dog to retrieve the designated glove. The dog must then go directly to the designated glove, pick it up, return directly to the handler and sit in front position until the judge orders the handler to "Take it". The handler then takes the glove from the dog. The judge orders the handler to "finish" and the handler may command and/or signal the dog to go to heel position.

The dog will NQ this exercise by not retrieving the correct glove, anticipating the handlers command and/or signal to retrieve, not going out on the first signal and/or command, not going directly to the designated glove and not returning promptly and close enough so the handler can remove the glove from the dog's mouth without moving either foot or stretching forward. Major or minor deductions will be assesed for a handler bumping or touching the dog into position. All other deductions apply as in the retrieve on the flat exercise.

Directed Signal Retrieve: 30 Pts.

Image: Position of Gloves For Directed Signal Retrieve

"The primary purpose of this exercise is for the handler to command the dog to be sent away, sit and then directed to retrieve a glove. The judge designates a glove from the three laid out in a diamond pattern on the floor, after the dog has been sent and is sitting."

To best visualize where the gloves are positioned, it is easiest to think of a baseball diamond. The dog and handler are initially positioned at "Home Plate" on the center line of the ring facing the gloves. After the dog has been sent to the middle by the handler, the dog approximately occupies the "Pitchers Position". Glove number one is positioned at third base, glove number 2 at second base and glove number 3 at birst base [See Image]. The gloves are replaced by the steward in full view of the dog and handler who are facing the gloves after the Directed Marked Retrieve Exercise is completed.

Upon order from the judge, the handler sends the dog, using a command and/or signal, on a straight line up the center line of the ring. When the dog reaches the approximate center of the ring between glove number 1 and 3 and without further orders from the judge, the handler commands the dog to "sit". The handler may use the dog's name before the command to "sit". The dog must stop, turn to face the handler, sit and await the handlers next command. The judge will then designate a glove to be retrieved by the dog from among the three, although it cannot be the same glove the dog was sent to in the Directed Marked Retrieve exercise. Glove number 2 is approximately 15-20 feet behind the dog but positioned on the center line of the ring next to the far ring barrier. After the judge tells the handler which glove is to be retrieved, the handler must signal and may also verbally command the dog to retrieve the designated glove. The dog must go directly to the designated glove, pick it up, return it directly to the handler and sit in front position until the judge orders the handler to "Take it". The handler then takes the glove from the dog. The judge orders the handler to "finish" and the handler may command and/or signal the dog to go to heel position.

The dog will NQ this exercise by not retrieving the correct glove, not going at least 20 feet from the handler on the go-out, anticipating the handlers command and/or signal to leave the handlers side, anticipating the retrieve from the directed sitting position, not going out on the first signal and/or command, not going directly to the designated glove and not returning promptly and close enough so the handler can remove the glove from the dog's mouth without moving either foot or stretching forward. A major deduction will be assessed for not sitting on command on the send out portion of the exercise. Major or minor deductions will be assesed, depending on the severity, for a dog that turns but does not sit and continues to walk. All other deductions apply as in the retrieve on the flat exercise.

Consecutive Recalls: 40 Pts.

The primary purpose of this exercise is to test the dog's ability, training and willingness to respond to two consecutive recalls--one with a drop and one without a drop without anticipating the commands.

On the judges order, the handler leaves the dog on a "sit/stay", walks across the ring and turns to face the dog. On the judges orders or signals, the handler will command OR Signal [but not both] the dog to "come", "drop" on the judges order or signal, and on further order or signal from the judge, call the dog to front as in the Open Drop On Recall exercise. The judge will then order the handler to "Finish" . The handler will then command and/or signal the dog to return to heel position. Upon completion of the first recall, the handler will heel the dog back to the original position. On the judges order, the handler leaves the dog in a "sit/stay", walks across the ring and turns to face the dog. On the judges order or signal, the handler commands OR signals [but not both] the dog to come to front. After the dog has returned to "Front Position", the judge will order the handler to "Finish". The handler then commands and/or signals the dog to go to heel position.

The dog will NQ this exercise if he anticipates either recall, anticipates the drop, drops on the straight recall, or does not come to front on any recall portion of this exercise. A zero will also be assessed if the handler gives BOTH signal and command to recall or drop during this exercise. Major or Minor deductions will be assessed for slow response to the handler on any portion of the exercise, or not coming directly into the handler. If the handler gives the "drop" signal or command before being ordered by the judge, they may be assessed a major or minor deduction. Minor deductions will be assessed for not sitting straight in front of the handler, slow response to the "finish" command and/or signal or not sitting straight in heel position.

Directed Jumping: 40 Pts.

Image: Directed Jumping Exercise

This exercise tests the ability, willingness and training of the dog to be sent away from the handler, turn and sit when commanded, jump as directed and return to the handler as in the recall.

Before this exercise begins the stewards will place the jumps (preset to the dog's designated jump height) midway in the ring approximately 5 feet away from and perpendicular to the ring barrier with the jumps approximately 18-20 feet apart. The Bar jump on one side of the ring, the High Jump on the other side of the ring. The handler and dog are positioned on the center line of the ring facing the jumps approximately 20 feet from the jumps. On the judges order, "Send Your Dog", the handler will send the dog away from him, up the center line of the ring and in between the jumps to the far ring barrier approximately 20 feet beyond the jumps. When the dog approaches the far ring barrier and without further order from the judge, the handler will command the dog to "sit". The dog must go at least ten feet beyond the jumps and stay as near as possible to the center line. The dog must stop and sit but need not sit squarely. While the dog is sitting across the ring, the judge will order the handler to send the dog to either the "high jump" or "bar jump". The handler will then command and/or signal to the dog to jump the designated jump. While the dog is in the air over the jump, the handler may turn to face the dog as it returns. The dog shall sit in front of the handler as in the Novice Recall. On the order from the judge to "finish", the dog shall return to heel position. The judge will then order, "exercise finished" and the handler may reposition himself and the dog for the next send away. The exercise is then repeated, with the dog being directed by the handler to take the remaining jump.

The dog will NQ this exercise if he anticipates the handler's signal and/or command to "go out", does not leave the handler, does not go between the jumps, anticipates the handlers signal and/or command to jump, jumps the incorrect jump, knocks the bar off the uprights or climbs the high jump, does not go at least 10 feet beyond the jumps or if the handler gives a second command to "sit" on the send away. Major deductions will be made for a dog that turns, stops or sits before the handler's command or for a dog that fails to sit on command. Major or minor deductions (depending upon the extent of deviation) will be made for the following: slow send aways, touching the jumps, or handler does not stop the dog approximately 20 feet beyond the jumps and on the approximate centerline of the ring. All penalties as in the Novice Recall will also apply.

*Note: At the judge's discretion, the jumps may stay inside the ring during the other utility exercises if they are moved to a place the ring that does not interfere with any of the other exercises. If the jumps cannot be left in the ring, the preset jumps are to be placed in the ring by the stewards after the Consecutive Recall exercise is completed.