Section 9:   Overview of Title Requirements

  • All performances will adhere to these entire Performance Guidelines and also the additional requirements specific to the class entered (see Section 11).

  • Entrants (Members only) are allowed, but not required, to enter the Rookie non-titling class for performance experience and to receive feedback prior to entering the Novice level.

  • Entrants earning their dog’s first MDSA title will begin working toward a title in the Novice class.

  • Before entering the Novice Prop class, a team must have a Novice Freestyle Dog (NFD) title, or one successful Rookie Prop entry if the handler has some freestyle experience.  

  • Two (2) qualifying legs are required to earn a title.

  • Performances for each qualifying leg in Video Events must be earned with a new routine with new choreography and new music.  

  • Performances for each qualifying leg must be earned with the same handler and dog team, with the exception of the Team class.

  • Only one (1) titling class solo entry per dog (Novice, Intermediate, Standard, Premier, Veteran, Props) per event is allowed. However, you may additionally register at any one event for a non-titling class or Team, Brace, Pair or Spirit of Sharing entry.

  • Entrants may rework and re-enter the same routine to earn a qualifying leg only if the routine received a Non-qualifying (NQ) or Disqualifying (DQ) score or it was entered in a non-titling class at a previous event.

  • Although teams are not required to enter the Rookie class, it is recommended for those teams that are new to the sport.

  • Music will be counted in the overall team score of all titling classes.

  • There are no placements. Entrants are in effect competing against themselves to earn titles. All entrants receive at least one evaluation with a rating from an MDSA Judge. Entrants may also receive additional evaluations from apprentice judges for training purposes; however, the ratings of the apprentice judges are not used for purposes of determining qualifying/non-qualifying legs.

  • Unless stated otherwise in individual class requirements (see Section 11), entrants need not be an MDSA member to earn MDSA titles or enter MDSA events.

  • Upon successful completion of requirements for each title, handler will receive an MDSA title certificate and dog is eligible for title designation after name.

  • All participants will receive either a qualifying or participation ribbon.

  • The following will be marked as errors in a performance. Errors can be minor or major and are rated at the judge’s discretion. Minor errors are considered a warning notice. Major errors will automatically disqualify (DQ) a performance. MDSA considers the following as performance errors:

    • Luring

    • Dog leaving ring

    • Dog out-of-control

    • Excessive barking

    • Excessive display of stress in dog and/or handler

    • Use of food or training aid (when not permitted in the class)

    • Misuse of prop (in prop class)

    • Use of prop (when not permitted in the class)

    • Fouling the ring

    • Harsh treatment of dog by handler (either real or implied)

    • Music more than 5 seconds over/under the class time limit may be scored as a minor error. Music 10 seconds or more over/under will be scored as a major error.

    • Music profane or obscene

    • Other issues, at the discretion of the judge that may affect the safety and well-being of the dog and other competitors, the positive working image of the sport, or for unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the handler. Examples include but are not limited to inappropriate attire or footwear, video submissions missing ring markers, or inappropriate equipment used on the dog.