Obedience
The Companion Dog Sports Program is traditional obedience — heeling, recalls, stays, retrieves, scent work and directed jumping — run with a looser hand. Handlers may praise and encourage their dog during and between exercises and give a food treat after the judge calls "Exercise Finished." Precision still counts: half-point deductions apply, and every team starts at 200 and needs 170 to qualify, with at least half the points on each exercise. Any breed or mix six months or older can enter with a CDSP registration number, and dogs with disabilities can compete if they are not in pain. Every dog starts in Starter Novice or Novice, whatever titles it holds in other registries.