Golden Retriever ‘Squeeze’ Wins 2025 AKC Obedience Classic for Second Year

Good dogs from all over the United States collected in Florida for the AKC National Championship, Presented by Royal Canin. Among the events of the week was the 12th annual AKC Obedience Classic, which took place Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14, at the Orange County Convention Center.

For two action-packed days of competition, dogs and their handlers competed in Novice, Open, Utility, and Masters Obedience classes across three rounds of competition. The winners of each division are crowned in a ceremony based on the number of points earned.

Masters Obedience

The Masters Obedience Class is the highest of the obedience levels, where handlers and their dogs participate in six classes: three Open and three Utility.

Melanie Haid

Overall Winner

The winner of the 2025 AKC Obedience Classic in the Masters obedience class is Golden Retriever “Squeeze” OTCH4 High Times Squeeze The Day UDX3 OM5 SH, owned and handled by Sharri Sibert. The Schoolcraft, Michigan team also won the Classic in 2024. “She won last year too,” Sibert says. “She started out as a very insecure dog, so this is a big deal for her.” 

Sibert and Squeeze scored the highest total points, with a total of 1194 to take home the Masters class win.

First Runner-Up

Coming in second place in the Masters class is Golden Retriever “Swift” OTCH3 Surefire Up To Speed UDX2 OM3 MH, and Mara Wacker. Swift and Wacker received a score of 1192 total points.

Second Runner-Up

In third place in the Masters class is Labrador Retriever “Zesty” NOC OTCH2 Maranatha’s Like A Man Possessed UDX2 OM4, owned and handled by Petra Ford. Ford and Zesty scored a total of 1191.5 points, and also won the 2025 AKC National Obedience Championship this past July in Missouri.

Utility Obedience Winner

The Utility Obedience class is for dogs that have surpassed Novice and Open exercises.

Overall Winner

The winner of the 2025 AKC Obedience Classic in the Utility class is Golden Retriever “Solo” RACH Southfork’s Let’s Have A Party UDX OM1 BN GN GO VER RM3 RAE3 RC FDC MX AXJ XF T2B BCAT RATCH DM DS AS CGCA CGCU TKN ATT VHMA VHMP FITB FTN. The team scored a total of 580 points to take home first place in the Utility class.

First Runner-Up

Coming in second place in the Utility class is Border Collie “Howie” Chf This Is How Ewe Do It UD VER RE CGC TKN, owned by Pamela O’Saile. The team received a total score of 566.5 points.

Second Runner-Up

In third place in the Utility class is Labrador Retriever RACH2 Downtown Beautiful Blessing UDX4 PUTD OM1 BN GO VER RM5 RAE5 OA OF and Cathleen Caballero. The team scored a total of 563.5 points.

Open Obedience Winner

The Open Obedience Class is for dogs that have mastered Novice exercises to include more complicated tasks. The dog should be able to do a variety of tasks at this level, and follow commands by voice or signal.

Overall Winner

This year’s 2025 AKC Obedience Classic Winner in the Open Class is Golden Retriever High Times Soups On UD NAP, handled by Kathy Rasinowich. The team scored a total of 597.5 points.

First Runner-Up

Coming in second place in the Open class is Pumi CH RACH Karizma Fizika UD OM1 BN RM2 RAE2 FDC BCAT CGC TKA FTN, handled by Samantha Miyamoto. The team scored a total of 593.5 points.

Second Runner-Up

In third place in the Open class was Border Collie Poquatuck’s Comes With A Warning Label UD PCD BN GO RN HSAds TKN, handled by Rachel Flatley. The team scored a total o 592.5 points.

Novice Obedience Winner

The Novice Obedience class is for dogs that are getting started in the sport of obedience and can work on- and off-leash.

Overall Winner

This year’s 2025 AKC Obedience Classic Winner in the Novice Class is Border Collie Rising Star’s A Split More CDX, handled by Lara Avery. The team received a total of 535 points to take home the Novice win.

First Runner-Up

Coming in second place in the Novice class is Papillon “Kip” Spotlight Arnos Kip CDX BN, handled by Susan Nagel. Kip is owned by Nagel and Kim Babolini. The team scored a total of 534 points to secure second place.

Second Runner-Up

In third place in the Novice class is Border Collie Jumpstart Just CD PCDX, owned and handled by Linda Koutsky. The team scored a total of 532.5 points.

Want to Get Involved in Obedience?

Developed in the 1930s, the sport of obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest events and a great fit for dogs of all ages. While it’s best to start training your dog early, it’s never too late to teach establish good communication skills between you and your dog! Most AKC clubs hold a variety of classes in different dog sports, often instructed by award-winning trainers who have handled dogs in the sports themselves.

Learn more about getting involved in obedience.