ODX

DIRECTED OPEN EXERCISES

For a more detailed description, consult the rulebook.

The Directed Open Exercises (DOEs) are broken down into two parts, however DOE1 flows immediately into DOE2 with no break or exercise finished order.

DOE1:  The dog is set up and left by the handler as for the recall.  Once the handler is standing across the ring from the dog, the judge places the cone.  The cone shall be placed three to six feet to the left or right of the direct path from dog to handler. It may be placed midway between the dog and the handler or up to six feet forward or backward from the midline.

DOE2:  When ordered by the judge, the handler sends the dog to the cone and commands and/or signals the dog to sit at the cone (without touching it).  The dog may also sit automatically at the cone.

The judge will then order the handler to stand the dog.  Next the judge will order the handler to return to the dog (by walking around it) and heel forward (without pausing).  As soon as the dog has reached heel position the judge will say, “Exercise finished.”  If the dog does not reach heel position, the judge will say, “Exercise finished,” by the time the handler reaches the ring barrier.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ODX EXHIBITORS AND JUDGES

The best way to learn about the ODX class is to read the rulebook. This page is not meant to take the place of the rulebook and the rulebook wording always takes precedence.  Please read the rulebook carefully to see what the standard of performance is for all aspects of these exercises.

Answers to some common questions:

1. Dogs competing in ODX are eligible for High in Trial and dogs competing in ODX B and Utility are eligible for High Combined.
2. Dogs that already have an ODX must enter CDX B if you choose to also earn a CDX and dogs that already have a CDX must enter ODX B if you choose to also earn an ODX.
3. Before the class starts, the judge will mark where the cone will be placed, ensuring that it is in the same location for every dog. As of June, 2016, the cone must be placed three to six feet to the left or right of the direct path from dog to handler. It may be placed midway between the dog and the handler or up to six feet forward or backward from the midline.  Click on this link to see the Sample Layouts for the ODX Ring diagram.
4. After completing the 5 individual exercises the ODX dog and handler go immediately to the DOE exercises. The handler and dog do not leave the ring and re-enter. Jumps are not removed.
5. At the end of the DOE exercises the judge will tell the handler if the dog qualified or not, as is done in Utility.
6. The cone should not be set out until the handler has left the dog, walked across the ring, and turned and faced the dog.
7. Have the cone in a nearby location before the dog enters the ring. Some suggestions when setting out the cone:
   1. When setting out the cone DO NOT have the steward or the judge step over the ring gate to get the cone. Accidents happen, ring gates can get hit and fall over, startling the dog, handler and judge.
   2. Some judges hold the cone behind their back from the beginning of the DOE’s until they place the cone.
   3. Some judges have the steward bring the cone in after the last mandatory individual exercise and put it behind the high jump or near a ring barrier.
   4. Some judges have the steward come in the ring with the cone and stand next to the judge from the beginning of the DOEs until the steward places the cone.
   5. Some judges have the steward bring in and place the cone as soon as the handler has turned and faced their dog.
8. The judge must say, “Exercise finished” the moment the dog reaches heel position or as the handler reaches the ring gate, if the dog did not reach heel position.
9. Since the ODX class began in 2013, there has been a learning curve for judges and exhibitors. Going forward, exhibitors should expect that judges will be scoring more details of each dog’s performance and deducting for deviations from perfection as specified in the rulebook and can be found on the ODX Worksheet linked here.

Some places qualifying teams could lose points:

• When leaving the dog in a stay, all of the following are minor to substantial deductions: whining, sniffing, barking, shuffling front feet.
• When sending the dog to the cone, the following are minor to substantial deductions: sitting partially outside the 3 foot radius of the cone, touching the cone (except with tail or coat), whining, sniffing,
• When standing the dog at the cone, the following are minor to substantial deductions: moving a minor distance after standing, touching the cone (except with tail or coat), whining, sniffing, barking.
• When returning to the dog, the following are substantial deductions: handler failure to maintain a normal pace, additional command or signal to heel.
• When returning to the dog, the following are minor to substantial deductions: dog not reaching heel position by the time the judge says, “Exercise finished,” dog touching the cone (except with tail or coat), whining, sniffing, barking.

Judge shall say “Exercise finished” when the dog has fallen into heel position or if the dog fails to fall into heel position by the time the handler and dog reach the ring barrier.

BELOW: Where scores were given, these were the consensus of Obedience Judges Sandy Case, Lora Cox, and Cindy Franks

Handler and dog line up 5′ off the short ring gate side facing the opposite side of the ring. Handler awaits the judge’s order to “leave your dog.” The handler will verbally command and/or signal their dog to remain in the sitting position and the handler will walk directly across the ring and face their dog, handler’s arms at his/her side.

Handler crosses the ring and faces dog. The Committee has added visuals for instructional purposes only – caution tape for the imaginary line from handler to dog, and paint to indicate the 3′ radius on the cone. The light pink circle to the left of the caution tape is where the cone will be positioned by the judge in the next frame. We did the entire circle for this demo so you could clearly see the 3′ radius. (A Judge may use pieces of tape or chalk or golf tees, as they do for jump lines or the figure eight, here-and-there on the radius of the cone as they deem applicable for their needs in judging the radius boundary.) The cone may be placed by the judge either to the right or to the left of the direct path from handler to dog. A handler going crooked from their dog could positively or negatively affect the direct to the cone. A judge’s positioning of the cone 3′-6′ to the left or right from the imaginary line of path from dog to handler can positively or negatively affect the direct to the cone. A Judge may order an exhibitor to re-position themselves if they have positioned themselves such that they are aiding their dog going to the cone.

In this frame, the judge sets the cone 3′ off the imaginary line from dog to handler.

Meanwhile the dog is supposed to be remaining in the sitting position on a stay. The following dog was naughty in each frame.
Stood up from the sit. Score: Substantial points off		Laid down instead of remaining sitting. Score: Substantial points off		Scooted forward but remained sitting. Score: Minor to Substantial Points off
Upon order from the Judge, the Handler is now going to verbally command and/or signal their dog to go to the cone.  Dogs should be directed to go to the cone.
Note the scoring on the following.
Dog moves directly towards their handler instead of the cone and sits outside the 3′ radius. Score: Non Qualifying		Dog sits inside the 3′ radius. Score: No points off		Dog stands instead of sits but is inside the 3′ radius. Score: Non Qualifying
Dog downs instead of sits but is inside the 3′ radius. Score: Non Qualifying		Dog sits right at the cone. Score: No points off		Dog sits but is outside the 3′ radius. Score: Non Qualifying
Dog sits but knocks the cone over. Score: Substantial Points off		Dog sits but the right foot is on the cone base. Score: Minor points off		Dog sits on command and front feet are outside the 3′ barrier. Score: Substantial Points off

DOE1 is now completed. You and your dog are now ready for DOE2.

If your dog is  in position to do DOE2, you and your dog will continue. REMEMBER: THERE IS NO EXERCISE FINISHED following DOE1. You and your dog must remain in position for the next order.

DOE 2:

The judge will order “stand your dog.” You may pivot (turn in place – you may not move forward or to the side) to face your dog, or you may remain in position. You may give a verbal command and/or signal to direct your dog to stand.
The Pivot to face.		No Pivot to face
Dog shall stand on handler’s directive and dog shall remain in place on that stand. Dog should stand within the 4′ radius of the cone. Remember the circle drawn for your visual benefit indicates a 3′ radius so this dog has another 12 inches of room outside the circle to be within the 4′ radius.
Score: No points off		Score: Minor points off
After your dog stands, you may signal and/or verbally command your dog to stay (dog must remain in the standing position).
Judge will next order you to “return and heel forward.” You may again remind your dog to stay by signal and/or verbal command if you so desire. You must do this BEFORE you begin to return to your dog. You will return to your dog and upon walking around your dog at a normal pace and without pausing upon reaching heel position, you will verbally command and/or signal your dog to heel. The dog must reach heel position prior to reaching the ring barrier.
Handler cannot stop or hesitate when picking up their dog to heel forward.		Judge will call “Exercise Finished” the dog reaches heel position. If the dog does not reach heel position, the judge will say, “Exercise finished,” by the time the handler reaches the ring barrier. Score: No points off

The DOE1 and DOE2 exercises help prepare your dogs for utility. Dogs begin learning to work away from you and take directives when doing so. Please note it is very easy to lose a lot of points doing the DOE1 and DOE2. Your dog may become easily confused from drop on recall to the directive to sit at the cone and then to stand on command, so train and proof.

Clubs MUST offer both ODX and CDX beginning June 1, 2013.

Laurie Sasaki demonstrating ODX DOE1 and DOE2. Thank you, Laurie. As always, you and your dog share with obedience lovers everywhere another exemplary performance and a great demo of the ODX Directed Open Exercises.

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