How far away must the dog perform obedience commands by the handler for certification?

The requirement for the dog to perform obedience commands at a distance of 10 feet from the handler is significant in the context of certification. This distance challenges the dog's responsiveness and understanding of commands without the immediate presence of the handler. A distance of 10 feet ensures that the dog is trained not only to follow commands when close but also to maintain discipline and control when further away, which is essential for effective performance in various scenarios that might require the handler to be at some distance.

Obedience at this range demonstrates the dog's level of training and reliability, indicating that it can act effectively even when it cannot see or hear the handler directly. Achieving this standard is an important milestone in the certification process and reflects the dog's readiness for more advanced tasks and scenarios they may encounter in service.