Obedience is a sport that tests a dog's intelligence and obedience. Shetland Sheepdogs excel at Obedience.
The sport has various levels of competition: Novice, Open and Utility. At each level handler and dog maneuver around the ring and the dog is judged at how flawlessly it heels, sits, stays, comes, stands, lays down and retrieves objects.
A Novice dog works on leash. A Utility dog works off leash with hand signals. A well-trained Sheltie is a delight to watch as it works a show ring during an obedience trial.
Canine Good Citizen - CGC is a diploma awarded by the American Kennel Club to any dog (purebred or mixed breed) for becoming a polite member of society. Dogs that earn the CGC are able to: accept a friendly stranger, sit politely for petting, welcome being groomed or examined, walk on a loose leash, walk through a crowd without being distracted, sit and down on cue and stay in place, come when called, behave around other dogs, shake off distractions, and be left behind with a trusted person. Training can be done by yourself or with a trainer.