Competitive obedience is a sport where dog and handler perform a specified set of exercises and are scored by judges according to a set of rules and regulations. The exercise routine becomes more difficult at each level. Obedience trials were developed as a way to demonstrate the dog’s ability to perform various tasks, and their suitability as a companion.

The CKCSC, USA has its own program for Cavaliers in the sport of dog obedience. The regulations follow those of the AKC, with certain exceptions. The obedience trials are held in conjunction with CKCSC, USA shows, and competition at these events is exclusive to Cavaliers. The CKCSC, USA awards the obedience titles of C-CD, C-CDX, and C-UD (described below.) Three qualifying scores (or “legs”) must be earned at each level for a title.

Novice exercises are: heel on lead, figure 8 on lead, stand for exam, heel off lead, recall, sit stay and down stay with handler in the ring. The Novice title is “C-CD” (Cavalier Companion Dog.) Open exercises are: heel off lead and figure 8, drop on recall, retrieve on the flat, retrieve over the high jump, broad jump, sit stay and down stay with handler out of sight. The Open title is “C-CDX” (Cavalier Companion Dog Excellent.) Utility exercises are: signal exercise (hand signals), scent discrimination, directed retrieve, moving stand and examination, and directed jumping. The Utility title is “C-UD” (Cavalier Utility Dog.) In addition to official classes where Cavaliers may earn legs toward titles, there are some unofficial classes offered at CKCSC, USA trials, also. There is a Pre-novice class, similar to the Novice class, but all exercises are on leash; a Graduate Novice class with elements of Novice and Open; and a Versatility class with 2 random exercises each from Novice/Open/Utility. Participation in these classes do not earn legs toward obedience titles.