A Canine Training Systems Production

Susan Barwig, Producer and Director
Elizabeth Burns, Writer

Open and Utility

Obedience competition is the most popular dog sport in the United States today and the first level of American Kennel Club obedience is the Novice class.  AnneMarie Silverton shares her training methods for preparing dogs for successful obedience competition.  In addition to the Novice exercises and attention work, AnneMarie presents preliminary training for future Open and Utility competition.

The Open Class represents the second level of competition.  AnneMarie Silverton builds upon the foundation she laid during the Novice training to develop a confident, willing dog prepared to compete in the Open Class, including the exercises of heeling, jumping and retrieving.

Utility Competition is the pinnacle of competitive obedience training.  Requiring precision, willingness and control, the Utility exercises are an extension of all the dog's previous training from Novice through Open.  AnneMarie Silverton presents methods for teaching all of the exercises of Utility, including new exercises included in the March, 1989, revision of the AKC regulations.

Canine Training Systems' expert, AnneMarie Silverton, continues to be one of the top obedience trainers and competitors of all time.  With a variety of different breeds, she and her students have obtained multiple Gaines wins, perfect 200 scores, as well as countless other awards.