Novice question

[Jason L]

This is a complete newbie question - in novice obedience (akc and ukc), what is allowed? Hand signal, voice command, both? I was reading the rules in AKC and someplaces it reads "handler gives signal or command" or other places it reads "handler gives signal and/or command".

[BlackPuppy]

Yes. Some exercises you can do both, others only one. That's why it's so important to read the rules.

Oh yeah, I have a print out of the Novice rules that I carry with me so I can review it at any time.

[Elaine]

The only time you can give both hand and verbal commands is in the group exercises for sit, down, and stay. Otherwise, you have to use one or the other, not both.

[ShatteringGlass]

Originally Posted By: ElaineThe only time you can give both hand and verbal commands is in the group exercises for sit, down, and stay. Otherwise, you have to use one or the other, not both.

In the Stand for Exam, you can give both a command and signal when you tell the dog to "stay". Also when you leave your dog for the recall, you can use both command and signal to tell them to stay.

[Kayos and Havoc]

UKC always allows both command and signal. AKC only allows command and signal for stationary exercise which are exercise where the dog has to stay. ie down stay, sit stay, stay for recall, or stand for exam.

[elisabeth_00117]

Totally ridiculous question.. but what's 'stay for recall' (stand? wait for recall?)?

Sorry, just getting into this obedience thing (any sport thing really).

[Kayos and Havoc]

When you call your dog to you on the recall exercise the dog must stay in place while you walk about 40 feet away, turn around and wait for the judges command to call the dog If the dog does not stay where it was left you will fail to qualify or not pass.

On the stand for exam you have your dog stand and leave them in the stand position and walk about 6 feet away. The dog must stay in place while the judge runs hands over them as if in an exam. If the dog does not stay you don't pass.

[Samba]

UKC allows two commands verbal and signal, except for in the UKC heeling. To begin heeling you must use only one.

[Jason L]

Thanks.

Obie is a mutt so we'll probably just do UKC next year. We may try new AKC's mix breed - although I wonder how popular it will be.

I'm having the hardest time switching Obie from voice+signal to just voice. It's like he doesn't understand English or something ...

[BlackPuppy]

Originally Posted By: Jason LinThanks.
I'm having the hardest time switching Obie from voice+signal to just voice. It's like he doesn't understand English or something ...

My dogs pretent to not understand the spoken command, until there's food involved or if I look angry.

Actually, they aren't that bad. It just seems that way. Dogs really prefer the visual commands. I guess we just talk to much and they stopped listening. Doh!