The competition requires the dog to negotiate a series of jumps, tunnels, tables and other obstacles within a certain time limit. The number and difficulty of the obstacles, as well as the complexity of the course, increases with each degree or title. The height of the jumps and course time varies with the size of the dog. The larger the dog, the higher the jumps and the less the allowed course time. There are penalty points given for knocking a bar off a jump, for taking the wrong jump or equipment and, at the advanced levels, for going by a jump or not continuing to move in a forward direction through the course.

In most of the competitions there is a special group of obstacles, the contact obstacles. This group usually includes the dog walk, the ‘A’ frame and the teeter-totter. These obstacles are those most likely to result in injury if the dog does not negotiate them correctly. Each of these has an up and down ramp for the dog. The lower end of each ramp, usually 36 – 42 inches, is painted a different color. The dog must put at least one foot in this ‘contact zone’ in order to properly negotiate the obstacle. Dogs that jump up the ramp too far or bail off the down side run an increased risk of injury and is cause for failure of the run.

In addition to the contact zones, other rules are in place to insure safety for the dog, handler, judge and stewards: one dog at a time is allowed on the course; the dog can not wear a collar; the handler is not allowed to touch the dog at any time on course, etc.

It can take several years to get a dog ready for competition.