Competition Obedience
At TNT we teach CKC/AKC competition obedience from pre-novice through to the highest level – Utility. Our students earn multiple titles and awards at obedience trials through-out the year. Our class enviroment is fun! Come and learn how to be unpredictable in your training, we do not pattern train at TNT! Proofing and distraction training is covered so that dogs are familiar with it and thus can concentrate better at the trials.
Training curriculum are based on TNT’s own, Janice Gunn’s proven training methods. Below you will find a listing of our competition classes and below that you will find descriptions of what each level teaches. You need to start at the beginning level and work your way up through the ranks to utility.
Competition training is a HOBBY and a great on going activity to do with your dog. To be successful at competition you must build a working relationship with your dog which in my opinion is extremely worthwhile and rewarding. TNT Training has monthly student update newsletters and also an annual awards party. We like to ensure that all our competition students get to know each other and we have a “club” type atmosphere where we all support each other.
Competition Class Details
Length: 5 week program, each class 1 hour in length (once a week for 5 weeks)
Prerequisite: Foundation skills ie – sit, down, stay
Price: $220 + GST
Visit our Training F.A.Q. for: our refund policy, dog vaccination info, what to do if you have to miss a class etc.
Group classes are not appropriate for dogs that are fearful, anxious, have uncontrollable barking or lunge with aggression towards other dogs or people. We suggest you seek out private training to get this under control prior to a group class.
| Class | Instructor | Day | Time | Dates (Start date in bold) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 12:30 pm | Oct 21, 28, Nov 4, 11 & 18, 2026 |
| Pre-novice | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 1:45 pm | Oct 21, 28, Nov 4, 11 & 18, 2026 |
| Open | Linda Moran | Sundays | 1:30 pm | Nov 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2026 |
| Utility | Linda Moran | Sundays | 2:45 pm | Nov 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2026 |
| Novice | Wendi Daechsel | Sundays | 4:00 pm | Nov 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2026 |
| Pre-novice | Wendi Daechsel | Sundays | 5:15 pm | Nov 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2026 |
| Open | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 10:00 am | Oct 21, 28, Nov 4, 11 & 18, 2026 |
| Novice/Open | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 11:15 am | Oct 21, 28, Nov 4, 11 & 18, 2026 |
In Progress Classes
These classes are no longer open for registration.
We leave them posted so students can check dates and times.
| Class | Instructor | Day | Time | Dates (Start date in bold) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 10:00 am | Sep 9, 16, 23, 30 & Oct 7, 2026 |
| Novice/Open | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 11:15 am | Sep 9, 16, 23, 30 & Oct 7, 2026 |
| Novice | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 12:30 pm | Sep 9, 16, 23, 30 & Oct 7, 2026 |
| Pre-novice | Wendi Daechsel | Wednesdays | 1:45 pm | Sep 9, 16, 23, 30 & Oct 7, 2026 |
| Open | Linda Moran | Sundays | 1:30 pm | Sep 13, 20, 27, Oct 4 & 18, 2026 Note: No class Oct 11 – Thanksgiving |
| Utility | Linda Moran | Sundays | 2:45 pm | Sep 13, 20, 27, Oct 4 & 18, 2026 Note: No class Oct 11 – Thanksgiving |
| Novice | Wendi Daechsel | Sundays | 4:00 pm | Sep 13, 20, 27, Oct 4 & 18, 2026 Note: No class Oct 11 – Thanksgiving |
| Pre-novice | Wendi Daechsel | Sundays | 5:15 pm | Sep 13, 20, 27, Oct 4 & 18, 2026 Note: No class Oct 11 – Thanksgiving |
What is involved in Competition Obedience?
3 legs are required to earn a CD – CDX & Utility titles. This means the dog and handler must compete in the ring 3 times under at least two different judges
A perfect score is 200, A minimum score of 170 must be achieved to qualify & earn a leg. Dogs must qualify in each exercise, and will not earn a leg if they fail any of the required exercises.
In standard classes there are three levels of competition: Novice in which the dog and handler compete towards their Companion Dog Title (CD), Open in which the dog and handler work towards their Companion Dog Excellent Title (CDX) and finally Utility which when complete gives them the Utility title (UD). The title for each level must be earned before the dog and handler pair can compete in the next level.
Levels in Competition Obedience
Pre-Novice
This is the entry level to competition obedience. Unlike the more advanced levels of competition this level is scored with a simple pass/fail.
The Pre-Novice exercises are:
Novice – Companion Dog Title (CD)
On average, it takes approx. 1-2 years to train a dog to a competitive CD level
The CD exercises are:
Companion Dog Excellent (CDX)
The CDX exercises are:
TNT’s training method is based on using positive reinforcement. Here’s why…
Dogs respond best/fastest to positive reinforcement training. This method focuses on rewarding your dog for doing the asked behavior. The reward in turn encourages your dog to repeat the cued behaviour when asked again. Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding good behaviour rather than punishing bad behaviour.
