Obedience Tests Study Guide

Study topics and expectations for DOGS-East basic obedience, advanced obedience, and agility testing.

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Basic Obedience

Heeling on Lead

Dog should maintain heel position while the handler performs right turns, left turns, about turns, changes of pace, and halts.
Dog should remain on a loose lead.
Multiple commands are allowed.
No distractions are used during this test.

Recall

Dog must stay until called.
Dog must go to the handler.
Dog is not required to sit in front or at heel.

Stay

10 minutes with the handler in sight.
Handler is approximately 50 feet away.
Dog must stay within 5 feet of where it was originally left.
Handler may give additional commands to stop movement.

Aggression / Behavior

Dog is tied out to its car.
Another dog and handler pass by within 10 feet.
Dog shall not show aggression.
Dog and handler are loaded in the back of a vehicle with at least 2 other dog teams.
The vehicle will be driven at least one mile.
Dog must not display aggression or uncontrolled behavior.
Handler stands with dog in the heeling position.
A stranger approaches and engages the handler in conversation.
Dog must not show aggressive behavior toward the stranger.

Advanced Obedience

Heeling on Lead

Dog heels through a crowd on a loose lead.
Other dog teams are used as distractions.
Corrections are allowed.

Recall

Dog is required to come when called.
Dog must sit in front or in heel position.
Dog should be within arm’s length of the handler.

Stay

15 minutes with the handler out of sight.
At least 3 dogs are in the stay group.
Distractions are present.

Halt on Command

Dog is sent away from the handler.
A motivator is allowed to be used.
Dog must halt on the handler’s command within 10 feet.
Any position for the halt is acceptable, including stand, sit, or down.

Acceptance of Another Handler

Dog is tied to a vehicle.
A dog and handler pass by.
No aggression must be shown.
A handler then approaches and takes the dog for a walk.
Dog must be manageable.

Agility

The agility tests must be performed without the handler physically aiding the dog.

Jump

The dog will jump onto a surface at least 2.5 feet high.

Board Walk

The dog will walk across a board at least 12 feet long.
The board is 12 inches wide.
The board is 3 feet off the ground.
Agility tests 1 and 2 may be combined.

Passageway

The dog will go through a 36-inch diameter passageway at least 8 feet long.