A successful obedience journey starts with Beginner Obedience classes. Sign up information can be found here:

In AKC Obedience, dogs and handlers earn titles by qualifying at licensed trials. A qualifying score (“leg”) requires earning at least 170 out of 200 points, with at least 50% of the points in each exercise. Titles are awarded once a dog earns the required number of qualifying scores under different judges.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Companion Dog (CD) – 3 qualifying scores in Novice class.
• Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) – 3 qualifying scores in Open class.
• Utility Dog (UD) – 3 qualifying scores in Utility class.
• Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) – 10 qualifying scores, qualifying in both Open B class and Utility B class at the same trial.
• Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) – Points are earned by placing 1st–4th in Open B or Utility B or scoring 197 or higher; a combination of wins and points is required.
• National Obedience Champion (NOC) – Earned through a special national competition.

There are also beginner levels (BN = Beginner Novice, PCD = Preferred Companion Dog) and lifetime achievement titles (OM = Obedience Master, OGM = Obedience Grand Master) for continued excellence.

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The AKC Beginner Novice obedience class is an entry-level competition that introduces dogs and handlers to the ring environment. It includes five exercises:

1. Heel on Leash – The dog heels with the handler on a set pattern, with a halt, right and left turns, and an about-turn.
2. Figure Eight – The dog heels on leash in a figure-eight pattern around two cones stationed 8 feet apart.
3. Sit for Exam – The handler leaves the dog in a sit, on leash, while the judge briefly touches the dog’s head.
4. Sit, Stay, Walk Around the Ring – The handler leaves the dog on leash in a sit position and walks around the ring and back to the heel position.
5. Recall – With the dog off leash, the handler leaves the dog in a sit, walks about 25 feet, then calls the dog to come.

It’s designed as a gentle introduction to obedience trials, with all exercises done on leash and in a supportive, beginner-friendly setting. Praise is allowed during exercises.

The AKC Preferred Novice obedience class is similar to the regular Novice class but with slight modifications (mainly no group stays). Exercises are performed as follows:

1. Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – Dog heels on leash, including a straight-line pattern and a figure eight around two cones.
2. Heel Free – Dog heels off leash on a set pattern.
3. Stand for Exam – Dog stands and stays in place while the judge approaches and lightly touches it.
4. Recall – Dog is left in a sit, handler walks away, then calls the dog to come and finishes so that the dog is back in the heel position.
5. Sit or Down Walk Around – At judge’s discretion, handler puts dog in a sit or down and walks around the ring.
6. Sit Stay Get Your Leash – Handler will sit the dog and at the judge’s direction, walk to the opposite side of the ring to retrieve their leash and then walk back to their dog and leash them up to walk out of the ring

The “Preferred” option provides an alternate path for exhibitors who may want to compete without doing group sit-and-down stays, while still demonstrating solid obedience skills.

The AKC Novice obedience class (Companion Dog) is the traditional entry-level class for obedience competition. It includes six exercises:

1. Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – Dog heels on leash through a straight-line pattern and a figure eight around two cones.
2. Stand for Exam – Dog stands and stays in place while the judge approaches and lightly touches it.
3. Heel Free – Dog heels off leash on a set pattern.
4. Recall – Dog is left in a sit, handler walks away, then calls the dog to come and then the dog finishes back into the heel position.
5. Sit Stay Get Your Leash – Handler will sit the dog and at the judge’s direction, walk to the opposite side of the ring to retrieve their leash and then walk back to their dog and leash them up to walk out of the ring.
6. Sit Stay (1 minute, group exercise) – All dogs sit and stay in a line, handlers stand 6 feet from dog, leash in hand.
7. Down Stay (1 minute, group exercise) – All dogs lie down and stay, handlers stand 6 feet from dog, leash in hand.

It’s designed to demonstrate basic obedience skills both on and off leash, as well as the dog’s ability to remain calm and steady in a group setting.

The AKC Preferred Open obedience class is the alternative version of Open, designed for teams who prefer the “Preferred” path (slightly lower jump heights). All exercises are performed off leash. There are seven exercises:

1. Heel Free and Figure Eight – Dog heels off leash through a heeling pattern and figure eight around two cones.
2. Command Discrimination – The dog performs three positions (stand, down, sit) on command. The first command is done in the heel position, the second from 15 feet and the third from 30 feet.
3. Drop on Recall – Dog is called to come, but must drop into a down on command before completing the recall.
4. Retrieve on Flat – Dog retrieves a dumbbell thrown about 20 feet and returns to front.
5. Retrieve Over High Jump – Dog retrieves a dumbbell over a jump, clearing the jump both directions.
6. Broad Jump – Dog clears a set of broad jump boards and returns to handler in front.
7. Stand Stay – Handler leaves dog in a stand position to retrieve their leash from outside the ring.

The Preferred Open class keeps the same core skills as regular Open, but makes it more accessible by eliminating lowering physical demands, while still requiring advanced obedience and steadiness.

The AKC Open obedience class is the intermediate level between Novice and Utility. It requires more precision and reliability, as most exercises are done off leash. There are seven exercises:

1. Heel Free and Figure Eight – Dog heels off leash through a heeling pattern and a figure eight around two cones.
2. Command Discrimination – The dog performs three positions (stand, down, sit) on command. The first command is done in the heel position, the second from 15 feet and the third from 30 feet
3. Drop on Recall – Dog is called to come, but must drop into a down on command before completing the recall.
4. Retrieve on Flat – Dog retrieves a dumbbell thrown about 20 feet and returns promptly to front.
5. Retrieve Over High Jump – Dog retrieves a dumbbell thrown over a jump, clearing the jump both directions.
6. Broad Jump – Dog clears a set of broad jump boards and returns to handler in front.
7. Stand Stay – Handler leaves dog in a stand position to retrieve their leash from outside the ring.

This level showcases independence, steadiness, and reliable response to commands at a distance, with more complex exercises than Novice.

The AKC Preferred Utility obedience class is the “Preferred” version of Utility, the most advanced obedience level. All exercises are off leash, and like other Preferred classes, it uses lower jump heights. There are five exercises:

1. Signal Exercise – From across the ring, the dog responds only to hand signals (sit, down, stand, come, finish).
2. Scent Discrimination – Dog selects and retrieves one of the handler’s scented articles (leather, metal or wood, handler chooses two different types) from among unscented ones.
3. Directed Retrieve – Dog retrieves one of three gloves placed in the ring, as indicated by the judge’s direction.
4. Moving Stand and Exam – While heeling, the handler commands the dog to stand and stay; the judge examines the dog as the handler continues moving, then the dog returns to heel.
5. Directed Jumping – Dog goes out to a designated spot, then takes either the bar jump or high jump as directed by the judge.

Preferred Utility demonstrates the same high-level skills as regular Utility but is designed to be more accessible—primarily through lower jumps—while still requiring precision, distance work, and complex responses.

The AKC Utility obedience class is the highest regular level, showcasing advanced skills, precision, and teamwork. All exercises are performed off leash. There are five exercises:

1. Signal Exercise – From across the ring, the dog responds to the handler’s hand signals only (no verbal commands) for sit, down, stand, come, and finish.
2. Scent Discrimination – Dog selects and retrieves one of the handler’s scented articles (metal and leather) from among unscented ones.
3. Directed Retrieve – Dog retrieves one of three gloves placed in the ring, as directed by the handler.
4. Moving Stand and Exam – While heeling, the handler commands the dog to stand and stay; the judge examines the dog as the handler continues moving, then returns to heel position.
5. Directed Jumping – From across the ring, the handler directs the dog to go out to a designated spot, then take either a high jump or a bar jump as instructed by the judge.

This class highlights a dog’s independence, precision, and ability to follow complex directions at a distance, representing the pinnacle of AKC obedience competition.