Novice Group Exercise, Classic Demo - Back to Back Rows

Disclaimer: This video is raw footage of the demo at the 2017 Classic. There are portions of this video during which the commentary may not be in sync with the performance.
Effective May 1, 2018, a new Novice Group Exercise will be performed at the conclusion of the Novice class. The new exercise consists of two-parts, a 1-minute sit stay and a 1-minute down stay.
The teams that have qualified during the individual exercises, may return to the ring to perform the Novice Group Exercise.
The back-to-back row formation demonstrated in this video is a judge's option. The judge may choose to judge a single row of dogs. If a judge chooses the back-to-back option, all dogs in the class must be judged using the same formation. Dogs must be spaced with a minimum of 6-feet between rows and between dogs. If a single line formation is used, dogs must be spaced with a minimum of 6-feet between dogs.
The principal feature of this exercise is that the dog remains in the sitting or down position, whichever is required at the time.
The exercise is performed with the dogs on a 6' leash. The leash must be clipped to the dog's collar and the handler will hold onto the leash throughout. The leash must remain loose with slack throughout each part. The armband remains on the handler.
Praise and petting is allowed between each part of this exercise but the dog must remain under control.
If the dog does not qualify during the first part of the exercise, the dog will be released from performing the second part.
After the exercise is finished, the handlers are required to maintain control of their dogs while exiting the ring.
For a detailed description of the performance and scoring of the exercise please refer to the AKC Website at www.akc.org and/or write [e-mail]
For continuing discussion of the Obedience Regulations follow our Blog at akcobedrlyjudges.wordpress.com/