Be Prepared for Your First Dog Agility Trial | Pets and Animals

By AlanWilson
Total views: 2
Word Count: 517

Prior to entering yur dog in an agility trial or fun match, try and attend one on your own. This will enable you to see how the event is organized and what is required as an entrant. As this will be your first time, do ensure you visit the Novice ring. Is your dog up to the standard of the others? If not, then maybe it would be wise to spend some more time on training your dog on the commands required. The majority of dog trials are held in the open with no fenced areas. If your dog cannot respond to the basic "Come" command, that could cause problems. It is far better if you are confident of your dog's obedience.

Before entering make sure that you get a copy of the official rules and regulations. Ensure that you understand and can comply with them. It would be a pity to find yourself disqualified from your first trial because you were unaware of a condition.

The best way to find agility trials and fun matches is to talk to a trainer or other people in your area who are involved in the sport. Your club will be a wealth of information and most of them have email announcements and information on their websites.

If you've never been to a trial or other similar event, you need to know that they can last anywhere from eight to twelve hours. If you bring your dog to compete, the amount of time his individual competition will take is only about five minutes. It is best to bring their crate so they have a familiar comfortable spot to relax. You may also want to bring a canopy tent or other form of sun protection and a folding chair so you can sit. Don't leave home without enough water for you and your dog. Dog treats are also a good idea.

If at all possible, volunteer to work as a pole setter during the event. This will expose you to the ins and outs and you will be able to see the courses and obstacles first hand. While there will be a lot of new information to take in, don't get so absorbed in your surroundings that you forget about your partner! Set aside time for you and your dog to play some fetch or Frisbee, and if possible allow them to spend some time with some of the other dogs.

The dog agility trials use a scoring system called runs. These runs are based on the "fault count". Fault count includes the course faults like knocking down a bar during a jump or exceeding the standard course time (SCT). The faults are also decided on the basis of competition level and course toughness. Keep a diary to track your dog's progress. Try to get hold of a copy of the course to keep for future reference. This will be invaluable later as it will help to highlight any problems and allow you to deal with them effectively.

About the Author

Before entering your dog in a dog agility trial make sure you visit Alan Wilson's website on dog agility training

You are here Articles > Pets and Animals