New CKC obedience rules will take effect on January 1, 2025, bringing significant updates to the group stay exercises. Many dogsport competitors have advocated for changes due to safety concerns.
In the Pre-Novice class, the maximum number of dogs in each group stay will be reduced from eight to five, and the distance between dogs will increase to six feet. The Novice class will introduce a new Sit Stay – Get Your Leash exercise, while the Group Sit and Down will also adopt the same limits on dog numbers and spacing. In the Open class will see the existing group stay exercises replaced with a Sit, Down or Stand Stay – Walk Around – Get Your Leash exercise.
Thank you to the members of the North Okanagan Tracking and Obedience Club for creating videos demonstrating the new / changed exercises.
Chapter 9, Pre-Novice Section 9.9
Pre-Novice – Group Sit or Down Exercise
Summary: The change limits the number of dogs in the sit or down exercise to a maximum of 5 per group and increases the space between dogs to 6ft apart. Handlers will no longer remove their armband and place it with their leash. The rules now note that the leash MUST remain slack throughout the entire exercise and at waist level or below.
| 9.94 | All dogs in the class that are eligible to compete in the group exercisesexercise will do so together. If however, there are more than eight (8) five (5) dogs competing, they will be split of groups of not more than five (5). |
| 9.95 | Handlers will enter the ring with their dogs on a 1.8m (6 ft) leash and line up in a straight line in catalogue order, at least 1.2 m (4ft) 1.8 m (6 ft) apart, where the judge indicates. Handlers will place their armbands behind their dogs. Armbands will remain on the handler’s left arm. They will leave the leash attached to the dog’s collar, placing it at the dog’s right side. |
| 9.9.6 | On the judge’s orders, the handlers shall sit or down their dogs, give the command and/or signal to stay, immediately leave their dogs, walk about 6 m (20 ft) forward to the end of their leash, without jerking or tightening the leash, turn and face their dogs. The leash must remain slack throughout the entire exercise and must be held at waist level or below. |
| 9,9.10 | No dog shall qualify that, at any time during the exercise, moves a substantial distance from the place it was left, goes to moves toward another dog, barks or whines unreasonably or fails to remain in the required sit or down position until the handler has returned to heel position or who’s handler jerks or tightens the leash in an attempt to keep the dog in position.” |
| Background | Members have advocated for on leash Group Stay exercises with fewer dogs in the ring and more space between dogs in order to address safety concerns. |
Chapter 10, Novice Class Section 10.11
Novice: Group Sit or Down Exercise
Summary: This rule change introduces the new Sit Stay – Get Your Leash exercise
| 10.10 | Sit Stay – Get Your Leash |
| 10.10.1 | The principal feature of this exercise is for the dog to stay in the sit position until the handler returns to the heel position. |
| 10.10.2 | The orders for this exercise are: “Sit your dog,” “Leave your dog to get your leash,” “Back to your dog,” “Exercise finished. Put your leash on.” |
| 10.10.3 | Prior to the start of judging, the judge will indicate to the ring steward where to place the leash. The ring steward will place the leash in the designated spot after the Heel on Leash & Figure 8 exercise.The leash will be placed on a chair, small table or leash holder just inside the ring entrance. |
| 10.10.4 | The handler will stand with the dog sitting in heel position in a place designated by the judge, approximately 9.1 m (30 ft) from the ring entrance. The handler and dog will be positioned facing the direction of the ring entrance.On the judge’s order to “Leave your dog to get your leash,” the handler will command and/or signal the dog to stay and walk directly to the place where their leash has been placed. The handler will pick up their leash, turn, stop and face the dog and wait for the judge’s order, “Back to your dog.” The handler will return to the dog, walking around and behind the dog to return to the heel position. The dog should remain sitting until the judge says, “Exercise finished.” |
| 10.10.5 | No dog shall qualify that, at any time during the exercise, moves a substantial distance from the place it was left, fails to remain in the sit position until the handler returns to the heel position, or barks or whines unreasonably. |
| 10.10.6 | A substantial deduction shall be given for a dog that stands or lies down after the handler has returned to heel position but before the judge has said “Exercise finished.” |
| 10.10.7 | Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be given for a handler who touches the dog or its collar to get it into the sit position or for a dog that occasionally barks or whines or for a minor move from position.” |
| Please note: this motion passing will cause the remaining sections to be re-numbered |
Chapter 10, Novice Class New 10.10 10.11
Novice: Group Sit and Down Exercise
Summary: This rule changes the exercise from a sit or day stay to a sit AND down stay, changes the number of dogs that may be in a group of stays to no more than 5 and increases the distance between dogs to 6ft.
| 10 | Novice class |
| 10.10 11 | Group Sit or and Down Exercise |
| 10.10 11.1 | The principal features of these exercises are for the dog to stay and to remain in the sit or down position, whichever is required by the particular exercise, until the handler has returned. |
| 10.10 11.2 | The orders for the Group Sit exercise are: “Sit your dogs,” “Leave your dogs,” “Back to your dogs,” “Exercise finished. Maintain control of your dogs.” |
| 10.10 11.3 | The orders for the Group Down exercise are: “Down your dogs,” “Leave your dogs,” “Back to your dogs,” “Exercise finished. Put your leashes on your dogs. Maintain control of your dogs.” |
| 10.10 11.4 | All dogs in a class that are eligible to compete in the group exercises will do so together. If, however, there are more than eight five (5) dogs competing, they will be split into groups of not more than eight five (5). |
| 10.10 11.5 | When the Novice A, B and/or C classes are judged by the same judge, the classes may be combined. |
| 10.10 11.6 | Handlers will enter the ring with their dogs on leash a 1.8 m (6 ft) leash and line up in catalogue order, along one side of the ring at least 1.8 m (6 ft) apart, where the judge indicates. Handlers will place their armbands, weighted with leashes behind the dogs. Armbands will remain on the handler’s left arm. |
| 10.10 11.7 | On the judge’s orders, the handlers shall sit their dogs, give the command and/or signal to stay, immediately leave their dogs, walk to the opposite side of the ring forward to the end of their leash, without jerking or tightening the leash, turn and face their dogs. The leash must remain slack throughout the entire exercise and must be held at waist level or below. |
| 10.10 11.8 | The judge shall take a position in the ring where both the dogs and handlers can be observed. One (1) minute after giving the order to “Leave your dogs,” the judge will order the handlers to return promptly to their dogs, each walking around behind his own dog to the heel position. The dogs should not move from the sitting position until the judge says “Exercise finished.” |
| 10.10 11.9 | The Group Down is executed in the same manner as the Group Sit except that instead of sitting the dogs, the handlers, on orders from the judge, shall down their dogs using a command and/or signal. The time for this exercise shall be three (3) one (1) minutes minute. The dog should stay in the down position until after the judge says “Exercise finished. Put your leash on your dogs. Maintain control of your dogs.” |
| 10.10 11.10 | The scoring of these exercises will not start until the judge orders the handlers to sit or down their dogs. |
| 10.10 11.11 | No dog shall qualify that, at any time during the exercise, moves a substantial distance from the place it was left, goes over to moves toward another dog, barks or whines unreasonably, or fails to remain in the sitting or down position (whichever is required by the particular exercise) until the handler has returned to the heel position or whose handler jerks or tightens the leash in an attempt to keep the dog in position. |
| 10.10 11.12 | A substantial deduction shall be given for a handler who repositions his dog after the dog is in the sit or down position or for a dog that sits, stands or lies down after the handler has returned to the heel position but before the judge has said “Exercise finished.” |
| 10.10 11.13 | Substantial or minor deductions, depending on the circumstances, shall be given for a handler who touches the dog or its collar to get it into the sit or down position, inadvertently jerks or tightens the leash, or for a dog that occasionally barks or whines or for a minor move from position.” |
| Background | Members have advocated for on leash Group Stay exercises with fewer dogs in the ring and more space between dogs in order to address safety concerns. |
Chapter 12, Open Class, Section 12.13
Open Class: Sit, Down or Stand Stay – Walk Around – Get Your Leash (replaces group stays)
Summary: The new Sit, Down or Stand Stay – Walk Around – Get Your Leash replaces the group stays at this level.
| 12 | Open class |
| DELETE: | |
| 12.13 | 12.13 Group Sit & Down Exercise |
| 12.13.1 | The principal features and deductions are the same as for the Novice Group Sit and Down exercises. |
| 12.13.2 | The orders for the Group Sit exercise are: “Sit your dogs,” “Leave your dogs,” “Back to your dogs,” “Exercise finished. Maintain control of your dogs.” |
| 12.13.3 | The orders for the Group Down exercise are: “Down your dogs,” “Leave your dogs,” “Back to your dogs,” “Exercise finished. Put your leashes on your dogs. Maintain control of your dogs.” |
| 12.13.4 | The Group Sit and Group Down exercises in the Open classes are performed in the same manner as in the Novice classes, except that after leaving their dogs the handler must immediately leave the ring and go to a place designated by the judge out of sight of their dogs, where they must remain until three (3) minutes has passed. On the judge’s order, the handlers will return to the ring and line up opposite their dogs and on further order, return to their dogs as in Novice. |
| ADD NEW | |
| 12.13 | Sit, Down or Stand Stay – Walk Around – Get Your Leash |
| 12.13.1 | The principal feature of this exercise is for the dog to stay in the position specified by the judge until the handler returns to the heel position with the leash. |
| 12.13.3 | Prior to the start of judging, the judge will indicate to the ring steward where to place the leash. The ring steward will place the leash in the designated spot after the handler and dog have entered the ring. The leash will be placed on a chair, small table or a leash holder immediately outside the ring entrance. |
| 12.13.4 | The handler will stand with the dog sitting in heel position in a place designated by the judge approximately 4.5 m (15 ft) from the ring entrance. The handler and dog will be positioned facing the direction of the ring entrance. The judge will ensure that the dog can keep the handler in its direct line of vision throughout the exercise. On the judge’s order the handler shall sit, down or stand their dogs. On the order to “Leave your dog,” the handler will command and/or signal the dog to stay and walk forward about 4.5 m (15 ft), turn and face the dog and pause. On further order to “Walk around your dog to get your leash,” the handler will promptly walk back to their dog, walking around behind the dog and passing through heel position, without pausing or giving another signal or command, then continue to walk directly to the place where their leash has been placed. The handler will pick up their leash, step back into the ring, stop and wait for the judge’s order, “Return to your dog.” The handler will return to the dog, walking around and behind the dog to the heel position. The dog should not move from the required sit, down or stand position until the judge says, “Exercise finished.” |
| 12.13.5 | No dog shall qualify that, at any time during the exercise, moves a substantial distance from the place it was left, barks or whines unreasonably or fails to remain in the required sit, down or stand position until the handler returns to the heel position, or if the handler gives an additional command or signal at any time after leaving the dog and before the exercise is finished. |
| 12.13.6 | A substantial deduction shall be given for a dog that changes from the required sit, down or stand position after the handler has returned to heel position but before the judges says, “Exercise finished.” |
| 12.13.7 | A Substantial or minor deduction, depending on the circumstances, shall be given for a dog that occasionally barks or whines, or for a minor move from position, or for a handler that hesitates or pauses at any time while walking around the dog.” |
| Background | The ‘Sit, Down or Stand Stay – Walk Around – Get Your Leash’ is a new Individual exercise that will demonstrate the dog’s ability to stay in position. This exercise is intended to replace all the existing Open Group Stay exercises. |
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