Jobs That Need Your Help (full job details further down page) ...
Scoreboarding - Scent Decoying
Car Parking - Fetching/Carrying - Ring Construction & Dismantling
Waitressing - Washing Up - Judging - Stewarding
Car Parking - Fetching/Carrying - Ring Construction & Dismantling
Waitressing - Washing Up - Judging - Stewarding
Overview & How To Offer Help ..
The only helping job that needs a qualification is Judging .. other than that every job shown below can be done by ANYONE competing at any level.
Obedience shows are being lost at a high rate, often because it is hard to find clubs with Committees that can do all the hard work involved, but also they struggle to find 'on the day' helpers, judges, ring stewards etc.
To offer help either:
Obedience shows are being lost at a high rate, often because it is hard to find clubs with Committees that can do all the hard work involved, but also they struggle to find 'on the day' helpers, judges, ring stewards etc.
- If you are good at organising, can type (preferably), have a fair amount of time available and would like to know more about Show Organisation - please contact a Kennel Club Registered Club near to you and offer your services.
To offer help either:
- Put an obvious note on your entry form saying you would be happy to help (list jobs you are willing to do).
- Contact the Show Secretary well before the Show date (details are on the Show Schedules) and offer your help.
- Visit the Show Secretary area on the show day and offer your help.
- If your help is not needed or your note ignored, do not let this put you off helping again at a future show - Show organisers are incredibly busy and not always able to acknowledge help offers or they might simply miss the notes on the forms - please NEVER take it personally.
- Also you do really need to give up a days competing once or twice a year and offer to help a show for the full day - in respect of Judging and Ring Stewarding. Without such people giving up their chance to compete then there would be no shows to go to.
Please do not be a constant 'taker'
instead be a valued helper
instead be a valued helper
Scoreboarding (anyone who can add up fractions can do this) ..
This job involves your help for a large part of the day. Its a great job as you get to watch alot of the class and you also end up chatting to alot of people. Example tasks might include:
- Writing the judges scores (from their sheets) onto the main class scoreboard. Double checking the judges adding up is always useful before putting on the scoreboard. Always query any marking/numbers on the score sheet that you are unsure of with the Judge. Ensure that scores relate to the correct competitors ring number on the scoresheet.
- Adding up the scores from each exercise into a Sub Total column and eventually across into a Total column.
- Always allow any competitor wishing to see the scoreboard to do so.
- Calling out the ring number for those in the running order. When one is in the ring, then 'find'/'call for' the next number on the list.
- If anyone is missing from the running order it is usual to draw a line through all the sections for that ring number.
- If anyone ends up doing a training round, then you write 'Withdrawn' or 'Not for Competition' clearly across the line relating to that ring number.
- After the running order you will write the ring number of each competitor on the main scoresheet once you are handed their scoresheet by the Judge.
- Have a list of competitors waiting to work (by noting their ring number when they express a wish to work) and 'calling out' for the next number on that list to come to the ringside.
- Double check all entries on the scoreboard before the final prize giving.
- Write a list of those with the lowest scores for the judge - point out any on identical total scores (who may be needed for a run off before final placings can be decided).
- It is often useful to go and collect the class rosettes for the Judge when at that stage.
Scent Decoying (anyone can do this - unless you have a very bad back) ..
This means helping usually in the mid to late afternoon - and can mean hanging about waiting to help in a ring and you could be in the ring for anything from half and hour upwards - this is often a difficult job to fill on the day, so please if you can volunteer for this task.
Each time a dog comes into the ring to do the scent test you have to scent a cloth and place it in the position as instructed by the judge:
The dog will then be sent out to do the test (hopefully getting either their handlers cloth or the judges cloth depending on the class). Sometimes the dog will touch and move other cloths and may even pick up the cloth you scented up and placed. If the dog touches alot of cloths then the pattern will have to relaid before the next dog can come in.
Each time a dog comes into the ring to do the scent test you have to scent a cloth and place it in the position as instructed by the judge:
- Always ask the judge 'how' they wish you to 'scent' the cloth - some judges like you to just put finger tips on the cloth, others like you to hold it flat between your two hands pressed gentle together, others like it to be well rubbed between both your hands - always do the exact same amount of cloth handling for each competitor
- Always ask the judge the exact position you have to put the cloth that you scent
- You sit in the ring with a bag of scent cloths on your lap (they must not be put on the floor)
- In Class A & B - when a dog comes into the ring, look to see when the handler is touching the cloth they will use, at that time you handle one of your cloths, you only touch the cloth for the same length of time as the handler does
- In Class C - when a dog comes into the ring, look to see when the JUDGE is touching the cloth they will use, at that time you handle one of your cloths, you only touch the cloth for the same length of time as the judge does
- Once the cloths have been scented you will see the ring steward take the cloth from the handler (or the judge) - at this time you need to move from your chair and place your cloth in the position as instructed by the judge, and return to sit on your chair
The dog will then be sent out to do the test (hopefully getting either their handlers cloth or the judges cloth depending on the class). Sometimes the dog will touch and move other cloths and may even pick up the cloth you scented up and placed. If the dog touches alot of cloths then the pattern will have to relaid before the next dog can come in.
- Once the dog has completed the test (hopefully correctly), then you repeat the procedure for each dog that comes in - but after the first dog you will need to pick up the cloth you scented & laid for the previous dog (usually stuff that in your pocket or similar) and replace it with the newly scented up cloth you have prepared (as per above) for the dog in the ring. If a dog picks up your cloth (which is wrong) then you won't have a cloth to collect and you just place your next scented up cloth in the correct place
- Once all the dogs wishing to do the scent exercise have come forward then you can leave the ring - job done :)
General Fetching / Carrying (anyone can do this) ..
This one is pretty self explanatory. It only involves helping for a small part of the day.
Example tasks might include:
Example tasks might include:
- Checking judges have everything they need - reporting back if they need something
- Collecting flasks from judges late morning
- Filling up judges flasks at lunchtimes
- Returning flasks to judges early afternoon
Car Parking (anyone can do this - but it helps to be a bit tough) ..
This is an early morning job!
Basically it is ensuring competitors and judges park where necessary and to not let non show helpers park in judges area (which is normally a bit closer to the show rings).
Basically it is ensuring competitors and judges park where necessary and to not let non show helpers park in judges area (which is normally a bit closer to the show rings).
Ring Construction (anyone can do this) ..
This involves either day before help or very early morning help - please offer to help prior to the show by contacting the show organisers.
- If shows are putting up the rings the day before and you are camping overnight, please offer to help put up rings - go and see the show organisers when you arrive and offer an hour or so of your time before setting up all your caravan etc.
- Some shows put the rings up very early in the morning - again contact the show prior the the day to offer help.
- It will involve pushing stakes in the ground and putting rope between the stakes and putting tables, chairs at the ringside.
- At the end of the day when everyone just wants to dash off home, it would again be great if you would stay later and help to take down all the rings, tables, chairs etc
Waitressing & Washing Up (anyone can do this) ..
Most shows usually need help during the two lunchtime sittings. Please contact the Show Secretary prior to the show to offer help for this if it is needed.
Lunches are usually provided for ALL DAY helpers (judges, stewards, others helping in the running of the show etc) and you can help by waitressing the lunches to the tables, or clearing the tables after lunch is completed and helping with the washing up. Washing up is not applicable to all shows as some have the caterers sort this.
Lunches are usually provided for ALL DAY helpers (judges, stewards, others helping in the running of the show etc) and you can help by waitressing the lunches to the tables, or clearing the tables after lunch is completed and helping with the washing up. Washing up is not applicable to all shows as some have the caterers sort this.
Ring Stewarding (anyone can do this) ..
A Ring Steward (or Caller Steward) cannot work their dog at the same show if they are stewarding.
The Ring Stewards job is:
The Ring Stewards job is:
- You will walk around the ring near to the competitor and give them verbal instructions on where to start, where to turn, where to stop etc.
- Learn the round as pre-planned by the judge, it can either be 'called' from memory, or you can constantly refer to a diagram of the round to help you.
- To ensure the judge has noted each competitors ring number (and that it is displayed correctly)
- To invite each competitor into the ring and indicate the starting position and to inform them of each exercise that is being done
- To ensure that each competitor starts each test exercise in the same position
- To ensure you are near enough to the competitor that they can hear you but not too close to get in their way or to spook their dog
- Please be kind to those who have hearing issues and ask you to speak up
- To ensure you do not block the judges line of sight during your stewarding
- To ensure that each of their commands is done in the same manner for each competitor
- For Heelwork commands used might be like:
- 'Heelwork from this point and in this direction (pointing with hand) .. pause ... Nice loose lead & plenty of encouragement to your dog, any tightening or checking of the lead will be penalised'
- 'Handler and Dog .. pause .. forward', 'Left Turn', 'Right Turn', 'About Turn', 'Halt' ... 'Exercise Finished' etc (according to Judges plan)
- For Retrieve commands used might be like:
- 'Command your Dog', 'Throw the Article', 'Send your Dog', 'Take the Article', 'Finish Your Dog' & 'Exercise Finished' etc
- For Recall commands used might be like:
- 'Command Your Dog', 'Leave your Dog', 'Turn & Face your Dog', 'Call Your Dog', 'Finish your Dog' & Exercise Finished' etc
- After the last exercise has been completed the command you end with might be like:
- 'Exercise & Test finished'
From the Kennel Club Rule Book - G Regs : (D)
INSTRUCTIONS AS TO THE DUTIES OF OBEDIENCE RING STEWARDS
1. Authority/Responsibilities.
a. A Steward's responsibilities are at all times to assist the Judge in the course of his duties and to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Ring.
b. Stewards should always remember that the Judge is in overall control of the Ring and accordingly should follow the Judge's directives.
2. Duties.
a. Before Judging:
(1) To ensure that all equipment has been provided in the Ring and that the score sheets and prize cards are available for each Class with a copy of the catalogue.
(2) To report to the Judge on his arrival and acquaint himself with the Judge's tests and instructions.
(3) To advise exhibitors that Judging is to commence after which the responsibility for dogs being brought into the Ring at the correct time is entirely the competitors.
b. During Judging:
(1) To ensure that all commands are given in the same place and in the same manner for each dog and competitor.
(2) To ensure each competitor has the correct Ring number for their dog when entering the Ring and that the number is prominently displayed whilst working.
(3) To ensure that there is no interference with dogs being Judged.
c. AfterJudging:
(1) To complete the award slips and obtain the Judges' signature at the conclusion of the Class.
(2) To mark the results of the Classes in the catalogue and hand the completed copy to the Judge.
(3) To ensure that the Judge signs the Obedience Certificate, Reserve Obedience Certificate and any other awards.
INSTRUCTIONS AS TO THE DUTIES OF OBEDIENCE RING STEWARDS
1. Authority/Responsibilities.
a. A Steward's responsibilities are at all times to assist the Judge in the course of his duties and to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Ring.
b. Stewards should always remember that the Judge is in overall control of the Ring and accordingly should follow the Judge's directives.
2. Duties.
a. Before Judging:
(1) To ensure that all equipment has been provided in the Ring and that the score sheets and prize cards are available for each Class with a copy of the catalogue.
(2) To report to the Judge on his arrival and acquaint himself with the Judge's tests and instructions.
(3) To advise exhibitors that Judging is to commence after which the responsibility for dogs being brought into the Ring at the correct time is entirely the competitors.
b. During Judging:
(1) To ensure that all commands are given in the same place and in the same manner for each dog and competitor.
(2) To ensure each competitor has the correct Ring number for their dog when entering the Ring and that the number is prominently displayed whilst working.
(3) To ensure that there is no interference with dogs being Judged.
c. AfterJudging:
(1) To complete the award slips and obtain the Judges' signature at the conclusion of the Class.
(2) To mark the results of the Classes in the catalogue and hand the completed copy to the Judge.
(3) To ensure that the Judge signs the Obedience Certificate, Reserve Obedience Certificate and any other awards.
Judging (you do need to be qualified to judge) ..
A judge cannot work their dog at the same show if they are judging.
The Judges job is:
The Judges job is:
- To oversee all that happens in their class & stay ring
- To judge each team fairly and consistently at all times throughout the day
- To be polite and courteous to all class competitors
- To pre-plan the class round
- To obtain personal scoresheet to write each competitors marks on (some just use a notebook)
- In Class A and above Scent Cloths need to be provided
- In Class B and above Retrieve articles need to be provided (up to 60 identical items)
- To ideally provide for themselves a Ring Steward (Caller Steward) and Scoreboarder
- To ideally do a Show Report after the class which can be published on obedienceuk.net or in Dog Training Weekly Magazine.
- To always keep a note of each class you judge - this may be needed in the future if you wish to or are invited to judge at the highest level classes.
As at 2013 Kennel Club Rules (G Reg: Approval of judges):
A Kennel Club Obedience Show Judge needs to have:
A Kennel Club Obedience Show Judge needs to have:
- Had at least 4 judging appointments at a lower level (ie: at Limit Obedience Shows, Companion Obedience Show Classes, Club Obedience Matches, Fun Show Obedience Classes)
- Won out of Beginners at a Kennel Club Licensed Open or Championship Show
- Acted as a Caller Steward, Scoreboarder or Scribe at least 6 times at a Kennel Club Licensed Open or Championship Show
- Passed the Kennel Club Regulations & Judging Procedure Seminar and passed the examination at the Seminar (see link below for when these Seminars are held)
Find Judges Training Seminar dates on the link below
in the third paragraph there is a link to Training Seminar dates
in the third paragraph there is a link to Training Seminar dates
ObedienceUK, Competitive Obedience, Obedience Shows, Dog Training, Obedience Competition,
Dog Shows, Dog Sports, Dog Activities, The Kennel Club, Heelwork, Retrieve, Recall, Sendaway, Scent, Distant Control
Dog Shows, Dog Sports, Dog Activities, The Kennel Club, Heelwork, Retrieve, Recall, Sendaway, Scent, Distant Control