After more than a year of intensive work with my Westie, I showed him in AKC Novice Obedience Trials. After 14 (or was it 17? maybe a million.) attempts, we completed 3 successful "Qualifications" and he earned his "CD" or companion dog title. It was exhilarating. And it was a LOT of work. If the Utility Dog title is the Black Belt, the CD is like - the Purple Belt. (I was going to say it's like a Brown Belt, but there's "Open" or "Companion Dog Excellent" between those two.)
Doesn't it seem like there should be a stepping stone... a Yellow Belt to earn along the way (and ensure you're doing things right?)