BBCR OBT Trials & Titles

(Obedience Trials)

The greatest example of responsible canine ownership is to develop an obedient and socialized dog. The ability to take your dog into any situation with confidence he/she will behave and be pleasant to those around is a wonderful experience. The communication and trust that occurs during the hours of training build a bond between owner and dog that can not be achieved any other way.  At the BBCR we believe that a well rounded dog is a advertisement for both owner and breed.  In times where some of our bully breeds come under fire from communities, landlords, and at times even family and friends, introducing them to a dog that is relaxed, confident and obedient is the first and at times the most important step to changing their perceptions.

Dogs that pass the OBT testing have also laid the groundwork to moving forward toward other canine roles such as therapy dog programs, service dog certification and canine ambassador role.  There is no substitute for training and teamwork, and there will be no greater reward.

Each leg must be passed before moving to the next. Each leg is either pass or fail. An evaluation sheet will be filled out for each team with each section showing pass/fail and notes as to the decision. If you fail at your attempt to pass the leg, you will not be able to repeat it on the same day. If you pass a leg, you are eligible to attempt the next leg on the same day. Throughout the evaluation, the judge will instruct by calling out or hand signal the task to be preformed.

BBCR OBT Level 1 (OBT1)

All tasks will be preformed on a 6 foot leash and a training collar (choke chain) or Fur Saver.  No prong or pinch collars will be allowed.  The leash will be attached to the dead ring at the beginning of the test.

1. This test will evaluate the team through a number of heeling movements and turns. Designated heeling patterns will be posted prior to the event and available at the event so handler may become familiar with the patterns. Along with the travel, the team will be asked to initiate a number of turns and pace changes during the exercise. All tasks should be preformed willingly and the dog will keep fully attentive to the handler during the test.
2. Heeling through crowd. Team will move into a crowd of non threatening people, they will move into the center of the circle and dog will sit by handler side. The crowd will move in until the circle is closed around dog.  pause for a number of seconds then back away. Dog should remain calm and alert.  Team will then go back into heeling and preform a figure 8 around two helpers at least two times. Then move on in forward healing pattern. Judge will dismiss the group.
3. Commands in motion, team while in heeling mode will proceed forward down the field at the indication of the judge the handler will give the dog the command to sit, drop the leash and continue forward without stopping. The dog should sit and remain in that spot until handler commands the dog to move. Handler will proceed 20 paces, turn and face the dog, at the signal of the judge, handler will return to the dog, pick up the leash and return to basic or healing position. On indication of the judge, team will resume healing down the field.
4. Command in motion down, team while in heeling mode will proceed forward down the field on the indication of the judge, the handler will give the down the command to down, drop the leash and continue forward without stopping.  The dog should drop to the down position and remain in that spot until the handler commands the dog to move.  Handler will again proceed 20 paces directly away from dog, turn and face the dog.  Upon indication of the judge, handler will give a single command to come.  Dog should proceed directly to the handler and sit in front of handler.  The leash will be picked up and return to basic or heel position.  Judge will indicate the team to move forward down field.
5. Handler will place dog in a down and stay. Moving away and out of site for 60 seconds. Dog should stay down and wait patiently for the return of the handler.
6. Indifference to dog, team will move down the field and past a dog tethered out in the field. The dog being evaluated should pass the tethered dog with only casual interest but no change in behavior.
7. Acceptance of stranger. Team will be approached by a non threatening stranger and should remain under control and accept the kindness and affection of stranger with appropriate level of behavior.

Level 1 will be pass/fail and must be passed before moving to OBT Level 2

BBCR OBT Level 2 (OBT2)

In this test, the team will preform the tasks laid out in Level 1, but will now do them off lead. Level 2 adds the Tests below.

1. Long Down: During Level 2 teams will be paired with another team attempting certification. One team will be asked to preform the tasks while the other will be instructed to a spot alongside the field. The onside handler will put their dog in a down-stay and walk directly away from dog to a designated circle on the ground straight out from the dog, handler will remain with his/her back toward the dog and remain in this position throughout the test in process. If at anytime the dog breaks the stay or move in more than a simple adjustment it will be considered a fail. Upon the preforming team completing their test, team will switch places and will each do the other section of the test.
2. Noise Tolerance: During the Level 2 test, the team will encounter a series of gunshots (starter pistol will be used for safety) Three shots will be fired. Dog should come alert but not loose concentration on handler or break the motion of heeling across field.
3. Stop In Motion: The dog will be placed in a sit or down -stay (this is choice of the handler), handler will move away to a designated spot on the field. The judge will give the signal to call the dog, with one command the handler will call dog toward them. judge will then signal the handler to stop the dog, handler will give the down command and dog should stop motion, assume the down position and wait for the handler command. The judge will give the signal to call the dog and handler will call the dog this time allowing the dog to come to them and sit in front of handler.

All dogs testing in the OBT 2 and OBT 3 will complete the obediance portion successfully prior to moving on to the Courage And Instint protion. Prior to begining the Courage And Instint protion, the judge will ask the handler who is testing on long down to collect their dog, all dogs will be cleared from the field and immediate area directly surrounding trial field.

1. Courage And Instinct: While heeling down field, a stranger will rush toward the team with threatening manner, the handler will take hold of the dogs collar at the judges direction, when threatened the judge will instruct the handler to release the dog who should move forward toward the threat with confidence and be committed to protect handler in face of threat. The stranger will continue to come forward and the do should engage the stranger by a bite without reservation. Judge will signal the handler to give the “out” command, if the dog fails to release the helper, the judge will instruct the handler to move close to the dog and again verbally give the “out” command.  If the dog fails to release on the second verbal command, the judge will signal the handler to physically remove the dog and regain control.  The helper will end the threat and move away from the team, the dog/handler team will move away in the oposite direction.

Level 2 will be pass/fail on both legs and must be passed before moving to OBT Level 3

BBCR OBT Level 3 (OBT3)

The final and most intense if the series of BBCR Obedience Titles… First two levels of the OBT will have been successfully passed prior to attempting the Level 3 test.

In this level the obedience level of the dog will be tested in number of tasks on and off lead. Including distractions, distance commands, and the ability to enact a series of protection and instinct task where the intensity level is significantly higher than in other levels and to demonstrate the ability to return to a normal, calm and attentive state immediately upon handlers command. Achieving a pass at this level will award the dog the OBT Ace status.

This level is pass/fail. Any dog who refuses a action or command, will not regain controllable state, leaves the field, shows undo or uncontrollable aggression or will not respond to the “OUT” command will receive a fail for this test.

All tasks from levels 1 and 2 will be repeated off lead. Including the distraction dog on long down at side of field. Level 3 adds the Tests below.

1. Surprise Threat By Hidden Stranger: As dog and handler heel across the test field, they will walk past a number of blinds. From an undisclosed blind, a threatening stranger will appear and come toward team in a “attach” mode. The dog must immediately engage the attacker by griping and continue to hold the attacker while being driven backwards. The attacker will test the dog resolve further with two stick hits, with an approved padded training stick. The dog will not be deducted if he releases the grip, but must re-bite immediately and with resolve.  The attacker will continue to push the dog until judge signals the handler to approach the action and the command “OUT” will be given. The dog must respect the command the first time but continue to guard the attacker, until the judge signals the handler to leash the dog and end the exercise. While guarding, the dog must remain intent and committed. The dog may or may not bark, both are acceptable.
2. The handler will, on the judges command, take hold of their dog’s collar. A stranger will approach from down field. When the stranger gets within 40 yards of team, he will run straight toward the team in a threatening manner, the judge will signal the release of the dog. Handler will will give command and release the dog who must without hesitation run directly to the stranger and engage by taking a hold of and holding on, while being driven by the attacker. High levels of pressure will be given by attacker, dog will stay committed and engaged. If the dog comes off the bite and re-bites immediately there is no penalty. If the dog release and leaves, shy away or cowers it will considered a fail. On the signal of the judge, the attacker will freeze, the handler will given the command to give the “OUT” command and then given the signal to take hold of the dog. The attacker will turn and walk away. At the signal of the judge, the attacker will turn and come toward the team again. This time giving distraction by three gunshots with a starter pistol. The handler will release the dog who again must immediately and without hesitation engage the attacker. Once again the judge will signal for the “OUT” and take up the dog. Attacker will turn and walk away, team will turn and walk away in opposite direction. Dog will return to calm, attentive state and focus on the command of the handler.

BBCR OBT Information and Documents