PREPARING FOR YOUR 1ST AKC AGILITY TRIAL?
Here are a few ideas that might make your day go smoother:
1. Arrive early. You may not have to run until the early part of the afternoon but, there’s a lot you can learn from watching more experienced handlers. Get to the site early and set up your equipment, i.e. x-pen, mat, shade, chair, etc. so you can watch the classes ahead of you.
2. Take your dog for a potty walk and clean up after your dog. Do this at least 1/2 hour prior to your class starting.
3. Go to the Trial Secretary’s table and get a course map. While you’re there, inquire as to when you can get your dog measured for the trial. Unless you have an AKC Permanent Jump Height Card, you will need to be measured at each trial. Just in case they do have an AKC Rep. on the grounds, bring your registration papers with you so you have the information needed to fill out the paperwork for the card. You will have to be measured prior to running your dog!
4. There will be at least two jumps situated outside of the rings for warming up your dog. Besides practicing at the jumps, take your dog to an area away from the rings and play with Fido. Make being at this trial fun and rewarding for your dog and yourself. This may help you to relax.
5. There will be a judge’s briefing and a course walk-through prior to each class. The judge will go over the rules and point out some of the mistakes made by novice handlers. You will have an opportunity to walk the course several times before the class begins. As you enter the ring to walk it, check off your dog’s name on the board at the entrance to the ring and note where you are in the running order. Often there will be a GATE STEWARD that will assist you with this. Now, go in and memorize the course and the paths you decide to take to enable yourself and your partner to be successful.
6. When you get to the start line, take your dog’s leash off and hand it to the leash runner or toss it behind you where the leash runner can locate it. AKC is the only venue that allows collars but they must be buckle collars with no tags or other items hanging from it. Otherwise, let your partner run naked (no collar). Since you are not allowed to bring toys or food into the ring, make sure you have left these items at your set-up. Now, position your partner at the start line so Fido is pointed in the right direction...toward the first obstacle.
7. Look to the TIMER for the signal to start. It is courteous to give the SCRIBE your partner’s call name so they have the correct scribe sheet ready for you. When the timer says “go when ready,” you must start your run as quickly as possible. The judge will tell you during the briefing “next dog on the line when the dog on the course is at the (obstacle).” This is when you need to set your dog up, so be ready to do so and do not delay the process or the judge may fault you.
The timer will begin the clock when any part of the dog crosses the start line and will stop the clock when any part of the dog breaches the finish line. The clock doesn’t stop when you cross the finish line so keep running until you are sure your partner has crossed the line. It’s important to remember that the FINISH LINE is the LAST OBSTACLE. This is the time for you and your partner to show what you have learned so, guide your partner over the course in a safe and speedy manner and remember to have fun!
8. After your class is over, check the Trial Secretary’s table for a list of qualifying dogs with their times, scores and placements. Keep a record of what you have accomplished (or not) so you can watch the progress you make from trial to trial. If you did manage to qualify, make sure you pick up your green qualifying ribbon and hopefully your placement ribbon as well. Mark the date, name of judge, course time, your time and the course yardage on the back of the ribbon or on your course sheet. Clean Run sells an Agility Competition Recordbook which is very useful.
9. If you have any questions, look for the Trial Chairman. Sometimes they will be wearing a special vest that lets exhibitors know who’s in charge.
10. Every exhibitor desires a little encouragement, especially when things don’t go as planned so clap and cheer for every team as they finish the course.
11. If you have someone with you that can watch your dog, volunteer to help. There are jobs such as leash runner, pole setter, scribe sheet runner, etc. that even a beginner can do and most clubs would welcome the help. This enables the trial to run a little more smoothly and give you the feel of what it takes to put on a trial.
12. If you have traveled from out of town to attend the trial and are staying in a motel/hotel, PLEASE clean up after your dog. Do not leave your partner alone in the motel while you go out for dinner or you may be asked to find other accommodations if your partner barked while you were gone. Agility folks have a good reputation of taking care of their partners and not leaving the room or grounds worse off than they found it so let’s keep it that way!
RUN CLEAN - RUN SAFE - AND HAVE FUN!!!
1. Arrive early. You may not have to run until the early part of the afternoon but, there’s a lot you can learn from watching more experienced handlers. Get to the site early and set up your equipment, i.e. x-pen, mat, shade, chair, etc. so you can watch the classes ahead of you.
2. Take your dog for a potty walk and clean up after your dog. Do this at least 1/2 hour prior to your class starting.
3. Go to the Trial Secretary’s table and get a course map. While you’re there, inquire as to when you can get your dog measured for the trial. Unless you have an AKC Permanent Jump Height Card, you will need to be measured at each trial. Just in case they do have an AKC Rep. on the grounds, bring your registration papers with you so you have the information needed to fill out the paperwork for the card. You will have to be measured prior to running your dog!
4. There will be at least two jumps situated outside of the rings for warming up your dog. Besides practicing at the jumps, take your dog to an area away from the rings and play with Fido. Make being at this trial fun and rewarding for your dog and yourself. This may help you to relax.
5. There will be a judge’s briefing and a course walk-through prior to each class. The judge will go over the rules and point out some of the mistakes made by novice handlers. You will have an opportunity to walk the course several times before the class begins. As you enter the ring to walk it, check off your dog’s name on the board at the entrance to the ring and note where you are in the running order. Often there will be a GATE STEWARD that will assist you with this. Now, go in and memorize the course and the paths you decide to take to enable yourself and your partner to be successful.
6. When you get to the start line, take your dog’s leash off and hand it to the leash runner or toss it behind you where the leash runner can locate it. AKC is the only venue that allows collars but they must be buckle collars with no tags or other items hanging from it. Otherwise, let your partner run naked (no collar). Since you are not allowed to bring toys or food into the ring, make sure you have left these items at your set-up. Now, position your partner at the start line so Fido is pointed in the right direction...toward the first obstacle.
7. Look to the TIMER for the signal to start. It is courteous to give the SCRIBE your partner’s call name so they have the correct scribe sheet ready for you. When the timer says “go when ready,” you must start your run as quickly as possible. The judge will tell you during the briefing “next dog on the line when the dog on the course is at the (obstacle).” This is when you need to set your dog up, so be ready to do so and do not delay the process or the judge may fault you.
The timer will begin the clock when any part of the dog crosses the start line and will stop the clock when any part of the dog breaches the finish line. The clock doesn’t stop when you cross the finish line so keep running until you are sure your partner has crossed the line. It’s important to remember that the FINISH LINE is the LAST OBSTACLE. This is the time for you and your partner to show what you have learned so, guide your partner over the course in a safe and speedy manner and remember to have fun!
8. After your class is over, check the Trial Secretary’s table for a list of qualifying dogs with their times, scores and placements. Keep a record of what you have accomplished (or not) so you can watch the progress you make from trial to trial. If you did manage to qualify, make sure you pick up your green qualifying ribbon and hopefully your placement ribbon as well. Mark the date, name of judge, course time, your time and the course yardage on the back of the ribbon or on your course sheet. Clean Run sells an Agility Competition Recordbook which is very useful.
9. If you have any questions, look for the Trial Chairman. Sometimes they will be wearing a special vest that lets exhibitors know who’s in charge.
10. Every exhibitor desires a little encouragement, especially when things don’t go as planned so clap and cheer for every team as they finish the course.
11. If you have someone with you that can watch your dog, volunteer to help. There are jobs such as leash runner, pole setter, scribe sheet runner, etc. that even a beginner can do and most clubs would welcome the help. This enables the trial to run a little more smoothly and give you the feel of what it takes to put on a trial.
12. If you have traveled from out of town to attend the trial and are staying in a motel/hotel, PLEASE clean up after your dog. Do not leave your partner alone in the motel while you go out for dinner or you may be asked to find other accommodations if your partner barked while you were gone. Agility folks have a good reputation of taking care of their partners and not leaving the room or grounds worse off than they found it so let’s keep it that way!
RUN CLEAN - RUN SAFE - AND HAVE FUN!!!