Obedex

Obedex is a centralized, open-access database and reference for canine and other animal obedience training. It aggregates standardized data on cues, commands, responses, and training protocols, along with contextual metadata such as breed, age, environment, and handler approach. The project aims to support evidence-based training by enabling comparison across methods and replication of studies.

Entries in Obedex are structured around a command category (for example sit, stay, come), cue type (verbal, hand signal, or multi-modal), and response criteria (latency, accuracy, consistency). Each record links to training scenarios, duration, reinforcement schedules, and success thresholds. The platform supports versioning so researchers can track changes in protocols over time.

Obedex began as a collaborative effort among canine behaviorists, veterinary researchers, and trainers in 2015. After a beta release and community feedback, the project adopted a permissive license and an open contribution model. It has since expanded to include other species and cross-disciplinary datasets, with partnerships across universities and professional training organizations.

Users access Obedex via a web interface and an API that permits programmatic querying and data export. Data quality controls, curation guidelines, and moderator reviews seek to balance openness with reliability. Privacy and welfare considerations are emphasized, with guidelines on handling identifiable information and ensuring humane training practices.

Obedex is widely used in professional dog training and in academic research on learning and behavior. Proponents argue that it reduces duplication of effort and supports meta-analyses, while critics note potential biases in crowd-sourced data and the need for rigorous standardization.