What to buy for an obedience contest
An obedience contest needs more than exercise equipment. You will also need supplies for ring layout, judging, registration, scoring, catering, dog care, and communication across the venue. Plan the shopping at least 7 days before the contest, then check every item again when the venue opens. Bring spare power banks, printer supplies, waste bags, and lighting: these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace once competitors and dogs have arrived.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 10
- Chairsqty 60
- Party tentsqty 3
- Judges' tableqty 2
- Waste binsqty 8
Sports equipment
- Barrier postsqty 32
- Barrier tapeqty 400
- Traffic conesqty 24
- Hoopsqty 4
- Retrieve blocksqty 6
- Hurdlesqty 4
- Marker discsqty 20
- Measuring tapesqty 2
- Dog Matsqty 8
- Water tubsqty 12
- Dog waste bag dispensersqty 4
- Dog waste bag rollsqty 40
Equipment
- Laptopqty 2
- Printer
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 4
- Megaphone
- Walkie-talkiesqty 6
- Power banksqty 4
- Calculatorsqty 3
Lighting
- Work lightsqty 4
- String lightsqty 3
Tableware
- Coffee cupsqty 60
- Glassesqty 80
- Platesqty 80
- Cutlery setsqty 80
- Serving spoonsqty 6
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Coolersqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Bread knivesqty 3
- Serving plattersqty 10
- Pitchersqty 6
Decorations
- Competition flagsqty 12
- Start number signsqty 50
- Name badgesqty 80
- Directional signsqty 12
- Prize tableclothqty 2
Cleaning
- Dustpan and brushqty 3
- Mopsqty 3
- Bucketsqty 3
- Cleaning glovesqty 8
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Butter - 4 packs
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 4 loaves
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Cheese - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Egg salad - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Vegetable soup - 10 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Sirup waffles - 6 packs
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Diet cookies - 2 packs
- Dog biscuits - 6 bags
- Dog treats - 8 bags
- Dog Food - 2 bags
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 8 packs
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Paper plates - 100 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glassex - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Microfiber cloths - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
Tips
- Prepare one complete ring kit for each ring: barrier posts, barrier tape, traffic cones, marker discs, measuring tapes, hoops, blocks, and hurdles. Pack each kit in a labelled box so setup does not depend on finding individual items.
- Keep registration and scoring separate from the competition area. Set aside a laptop, printer, extension cords, power strips, calculators, printed score sheets, starting lists, and at least 2 pens per working official.
- Plan water and waste supplies by dog count, not just by competitor count. Place water tubs and dog waste bag dispensers at the entrance and near every ring, with at least 2 waste-bag rolls available per dispenser.
- For a full competition day, provide 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour. Add coffee cups, glasses, plates, and waste bins before catering arrives, and chill drinks before the venue opens.
- Check electricity and visibility 2 hours before the first start. Test every extension cord and power strip, charge walkie-talkies and power banks, and keep work lights ready if registration or judging continues after daylight fades.
Frequently asked questions
- What equipment do I need for an obedience contest?
- For each ring, prepare barriers, cones, marker discs, measuring tapes, hoops, blocks, hurdles, and dog mats. You also need tables and chairs, a judges’ table, water tubs, waste-bag dispensers, scoring supplies, and communication equipment.
- How many dog waste bags should I buy for an obedience contest?
- Allow at least 6 bags per participating dog for a half-day contest and 10 bags per dog for a full day. Add a reserve of 20% because bags are often used by spectators and during setup.
- How early should I shop for an obedience contest?
- Buy or confirm non-food supplies at least 7 days before the contest. Purchase fresh catering items 1–2 days beforehand, and chill drinks and prepare the materials on the event day before competitors arrive.
- What catering supplies are needed for an obedience contest?
- For each attendee, provide a plate, a glass, and 2–3 drinks for the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per hour. Add coffee cups, serving supplies, waste bins, and extra drinks for judges, volunteers, and registration staff.
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