SDDSC Members Only
Practice Rings/Sniff & Gos
San Diego Dog Sports Club members, with an active paid subscription to our club, have the opportunity to participate in our FREE Practice Rings.
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These practice rings will be set up based on instructor availability, and will only be available when our 6 week classes are in session.
- AKC Rally Obedience Practice Ring
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AKC Competition Obedience Practice Ring
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AKC Beginner Novice/Novice Practice Ring
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AKC Conformation Practice Ring
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AKC Scent Work - Sniff & Go's
Some prerequisites apply​
Disclaimer: With the exception of our Conformation Practice Ring, there will be no formal instruction given. Some feedback may be provided, but these rings are mainly set up to provide practice opportunities for our Handler/Dog Teams.
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Not a member yet? Join our club and take advantage of these FREE practice rings!
Rally Obedience Practice Ring
Prerequisites:
Must have an active subscription/membership to our club.
Completion of our Novice Rally Courses class, OR currently competing at the Novice or above level in AKC Rally
Our Rally Practice is a weekly benefit of being a member of the San Diego Dog Sport Club.
This is NOT a class and there will be no instruction.
Rally courses will be set up, and members are responsible for knowing how to walk a Rally course, and how to perform the signs that are set out on the course.
Those participating need to have completed the club's Rally Novice Courses class, or earned at least one qualifying leg in Rally Novice.
We ask that you register so we have an idea of who will be attending, and have agreed to our liability policy.
Competition Obedience Practice Ring
Prerequisites:
Must have an active subscription/membership to our club.
Handler should have some competition obedience experience, at the Beginner Novice/Novice levels.​
Our Competition Obedience Practice is a weekly benefit of being a member of the San Diego Dog Sport Club.
This is NOT a class and there will be no instruction.
A Competition Obedience Ring will be set up, and members are responsible for knowing how to complete the course. Some feedback may be provided if requested.
We ask that you register so we have an idea of who will be attending, and have agreed to our liability policy.
Beginner Novice Obedience Practice Ring
Prerequisites: Familiarity with the AKC Beginner Novice Obedience requirements.
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1 dog per handler
A virtual AKC Beginner Novice Ring will be set up with the course changing each week for anyone interested in the Virtual Titling Program or just ring practice.
Our Beginner Novice Practice Ring is a weekly benefit of being a member of the San Diego Dog Sport Club.
This is NOT a class and there will be no instruction.
A Beginner Novice course will be set up, and members are responsible for knowing how to perform the course.
We ask that you register so we have an idea of who will be attending, and have agreed to our liability policy.
Students can sign up each week as needed.
Novice Obedience Practice Ring
Prerequisites: Familiarity with the AKC Novice Obedience requirements.
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A virtual AKC Novice Ring will be set up with the course changing each week for anyone interested in the Virtual Titling Program or just ring practice.
Our Novice Practice Ring is a weekly benefit of being a member of the San Diego Dog Sport Club.
This is NOT a class and there will be no instruction.
A Beginner Novice course will be set up, and members are responsible for knowing how to perform the course.
We ask that you register so we have an idea of who will be attending, and have agreed to our liability policy.
Conformation Practice
Prerequisites: None
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Our Conformation Practice will be held once every 3 weeks when we are holding our regular 6 week class sessions. This practice ring is a benefit of being a member of the San Diego Dog Sport Club.
This practice ring is designed to help handlers and their dogs develop the skills and ring manners needed for success in the conformation ring. Each class will focus on both handler presentation and canine behavior so that dogs learn to show to their best advantage while remaining confident and comfortable in the ring environment.
This class will be 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the number of people who sign up.
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Handler ring etiquette: entering/exiting, spacing, gaiting with other dogs
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Dog basics: attention on handler, standing calmly on leash
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Introduction to stacking (hand stack or free stack depending on breed)
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Short gaiting patterns (down & back)
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Refining hand-stack or free-stack techniques
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Practicing “holding the stack” for increasing durations
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Handler body position and use of bait/toys to show expression
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Judge’s exam introduction: accepting a brief hands-on from instructor
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Review: down & back
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Adding triangle and “L” patterns
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Finding the correct speed for your dog’s movement
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Emphasis on straight lines and smooth turns
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Passing other dogs politely
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Full exam practice: teeth, bite, head, body, tail, testicles (males)
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Dogs learning to tolerate touch from strangers calmly
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Handlers practicing how to present parts of the dog without blocking the view
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Ring positioning: moving into line-up, maintaining space between dogs
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Simulated ring set-up: entering, gaiting as a group, stacking in line
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Polishing showmanship skills: handler posture, minimizing fumbling
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Practicing “go around” with multiple dogs
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Working on transitions between moving, stacking, and holding attention
Please register so we have an idea of who will be attending, and have agreed to our liability policy.​
Sniff & Go's
Prerequisites: Dog's must be working at the Novice level and above
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Scent Work Sniff & Go's are a great way to practice your Scent Work Skills in different locations.
Dog's MUST be alerting to odor. Sniff & Go's are not instructional sessions.
The focus of these Sniff & Go's will change with each session. Some Sniff & Go's will focus on Exterior & Interior, other might focus on Buried & Container. On occasion we will also have Vehicle searches.
The run order will be determined by the number of people who sign up and the level they are working at.
Each handler/canine team will get at least 2, possibly 3 searches.
The Run Order/Times will be assigned & emailed out once registration is closed.
Sniff & Go's typically have Novice running earlier in time period, and build up to Master/Detective level.
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SDDSC Sniff & Go's are limited to SDDSC Members Only. If you have let your membership expire, now is the time to renew!
Some Sniff & Go's will be free for members, however if SDDSC is renting a location members can expect a small fee.