The emphasis at our club is to use our obedience knowledge to help our dogs in social situations within the community.

All classes provide you with the tools for obedience such as sit, stand, drop, stay, loose lead walking, heeling and recalls.

There are 6 levels of classes becoming progressively more advanced from Introductory, Bronze, Silver, Gold to Diamond Classes.

The skills required for each class level are explained below. These are the skills assessed at Trials.

Introductory Class

Typically new members will spend between 1 and 4 weeks in the Introductory Class, where you and your dog will be given some basic obedience and social tools. In this class the emphasis is on socialisation and learning to be in a class situation. Explanation of the structure and rules of HBODC.

  • All exercises on lead

  • Focus, Sit, Sit/Stay (returning from the front only), Recall on Lead, Introduction to Heel

  • Socializing and Practical Exercises as below

  • Up to four weeks’ training, then move to Bronze Dogs. Introductory Class dogs are not to enter Fun Day Trials

 Bronze Dogs

  • All exercises on lead

  • Socializing and Practical Exercises as below

  • Sit. Drop.Sit/Stay, Drop/Stay (return from behind)

  • Heel with Turns: Right, left, right about turn, left about turn, left about pivot turn

  • Recall (on lead)

  • Effective control in the presence of a stranger

 Silver Dogs

  • All exercises on lead except recall  

  • Heel with Sit (all Turns), Drop & Stand

  • Sit/Stay, Drop/Stay, Stand/Stay (returning from behind)

  • Recall from a sit/stay 6 paces (dog to come to front and trainer to return from behind)

  • Introduction to Stand for Examination

  • Emphasis on hand signals

Gold Dogs

  • All exercises starting on lead (except recall) but with gradual introduction to “Off Lead” at Trainer’s discretion

  • Heel (all turns), Sit, Drop, Stay, Stand, Stand for Examination

  • Recall from a sit/stay at 6 paces (dog to come briskly and straight to front and trainer to return from behind)

  • Good use of hand signals

 Diamond Dogs

  • All exercises off lead

  • (Must also be able to demonstrate high level of competence on lead)

  • Heel (all turns), Sit, Drop, Stay, Stand, Stand for Examination

  • Recall from sit/stay (distance at Trainer’s discretion)

  • Introduce drop on recall

  • Introduce working with hand signals only (no voice)

 Diamond Dog Excellent

  • All exercises off Lead, and at a very high standard.  Repeat commands are penalized in Fun Day Trials

  • Heel (all turns), Sit, Drop, Stay, Stand, Stand for Examination

  • Drop on recall

  • Signals (no voice command)

Practical exercises (at all levels

  • Regular canine health check

  • Grooming

  • Weaving and heeling amongst other dogs

  • Crating your dog, and safety in the car

  • Sitting at a café

  • Safety recall (getting out of dangerous situations)

  • “Leave it”

  • Creating patient and calm dogs / meet & greet / effective control in the presence of a stranger.

  • Drop stay – step over

  • Close proximity group stays

  • Control at a gate

  • Rear end exercises (cavaletti)

Members can also obtain a copy of this outline of the skills required for each class trial at the Registration Window.