No dog under six months of age may compete. No dog belonging wholly or in part to a judge, or superintendent, or any member of such a person’s household maybe entered in any obedience trial at which such person officiates or is scheduled to officiate. Nor may they handle or act as agent for any dog entered at that obedience trial. Females in season are not permitted to compete. If a female is withdrawn from competition because it came into season and the event secretary is notified no later than one half hour prior to the start of the first class in the trial, the club is required to refund the entry fee. The club may retain a processing fee and must publish this information in the premium list.

All dogs in the obedience ring must wear a properly fitted collar approved by the judge. No special training collars, such as electronic collars or prong collars, will be permitted. Nothing may be hanging from the dog’s collar.

The leash must be made of fabric or leather and need only be long enough to provide adequate slack during the Heel on Leash exercise, unless stated otherwise in the AKC regulations. The Novice Group Exercise – Sit and Down Stay, and the Beginner Novice Sit for Exam must be performed with the dog on a 6-foot leash.
All dogs must be kept on a leash except when in the obedience ring, warm-up ring or exercise area and must be brought into and taken out of the ring on leash. Leashes must be clipped to the collar when dogs are brought in for classes requiring an on-leash exercise, a group exercise and awards. In a class where a leash is not required for the performance of the individual exercises, the dog may be brought into and taken out of the ring on a leash that slips/attaches through the dog’s collar.

A dog receives a qualifying score when it earns more than 50 percent of the points for each exercise, with a total of at least 170 points. A qualifying score must never be awarded to a dog whose performance has not met the minimum requirements, to a dog that shows fear or resentment, or to a dog that relieves itself at any time while in the ring for judging. Handlers who carry or offer food in the ring or discipline or abuse their dogs in the ring must receive a non-qualifying (NQ) score.

The dog receiving the highest qualifying score in the regular classes will be awarded the ribbons and any prizes offered for these placements after the announcement of final scores of the last regular class to be judged.

The dog receiving the highest combined score in the regular Open B and Utility classes may be awarded the ribbon and any prizes offered for this placement after those classes have been judged and after the announcement of those final scores.

The dog receiving the highest combined score in Preferred Open and Preferred Utility. These maybe awarded after the completion of those classes.

All teams start with a perfect score of 200 points. Points are deducted for flaws from the perfect performance. An example being not sitting squarely in heel position.

A qualifying score indicates that the dog has performed all the required exercises according to The AKC Obedience Regulations and justifies the awarding of the obedience title associated with the particular class.