For Novice A Agility Competitors

After going to an AKC trial this past weekend, I've got some suggestions
for Novice A people to consider before entering their dog in a trial.
This is specific to AKC where Training in the Ring (TIR) is not allowed.
I also have a couple of suggestions for some NON Novices!!

1. Before even thinking about coming to a real trial, make sure your dog
will COME WHEN CALLED. Having your dog take off from you at the start
line or during your run to zip out of the ring, posture aggressively to
other dogs, try to pick a fight, then hold up the whole trial for 15
minutes while refusing to be caught by you or anyone else is NOT
fun--not for the dog, not for you, not for the judge, not for the rest
of the competitors.

2. You really can't deliberately touch your dog during the run and get
away with it. Chuffing it upside the head for refusing to go on the
teeter, then picking up and plonking it down onto the teeter even
*after* being whistled by the judge is a really, really bad idea.

3. Kicking dirt at your dog because you are mad isn't terribly good
sportsmanship.

4. When the judge advises in the briefing that trying the weaves more
than 4 times is probably not a good thing, she generally knows what
she's talking about. Think about what you are doing to your dog by
trying them 5, 6, or more times. Ditto trying to force the dog to do
obstacles.

These are for everybody

5. If you are about to finish your MACH, don't stop at the end of your
run and turn your back on your dog to yell "did I Q!" to the judge while
your dog runs amok outside the ring getting in other dogs' faces.
Further, when told by the judge that yes, you WERE clean until you
performed above stunt, but have now been NQd for not controlling your
dog, don't have a screaming tantrum because you were stoopid.

6. Give your dog enough room to take the first jump! With the advent of
electronic timers and starts that actually start with jump 1, I'm seeing
more and more people sticking their dogs *right* in front of the
jump--sometimes less than 5 feet away--then expecting them to take it.
I'm seeing lots of dropped bars, and even when the bar isn't dropped
you're asking your dog to do a vertical lift from a standstill. It's not
good for your dog and it means your dog will not be crossing that jump
at full speed.

"Robin Nuttall" wrote:

This is specific to AKC where Training in the Ring (TIR) is not allowed.

Heh. FWIW, *none* of the things you describe - with the possible exception
of #4- would be allowed or are appropriate in NADAC, TIR or no.


1. (dog runs away, postures aggressively, takes 15 min to be caught)

This one would probably have gotten the competitor excused from a NADAC
trial.

2.

Chuffing it upside the head for refusing to go on the
teeter,

Every NADAC judge I know would have excused someone who did this
immediately, most would have strongly cautioned the exhibitor, some would
have kicked her out of the trial.


3. Kicking dirt at your dog because you are mad isn't terribly good
sportsmanship.

In any venue, and has no relation whatsoever to TIR. G (Out of
curiousity, did this happen in or out of the ring??)


5. If you are about to finish your MACH, don't stop at the end of your
run and turn your back on your dog to yell "did I Q!" to the judge while
your dog runs amok outside the ring getting in other dogs' faces.
Further, when told by the judge that yes, you WERE clean until you
performed above stunt, but have now been NQd for not controlling your
dog, don't have a screaming tantrum because you were stoopid.


EEEeeeeeesh! I'd have been embarrassed even to be *near* that person. What
an eejit.
Most NADAC judges would have also NQ'd her.



6. Give your dog enough room to take the first jump! With the advent of
electronic timers and starts that actually start with jump 1, I'm seeing
more and more people sticking their dogs *right* in front of the
jump--sometimes less than 5 feet away--then expecting them to take it.

I saw your conversation about that on Agiledogs, and I agree. It's not
just limited to runs with electronic timers, either- a lot of NADAC courses
have the startline even with the first jump, and every time it is, I see
people set their dogs WAY too close.

"Robin Nuttall" wrote:

This is specific to AKC where Training in the Ring (TIR) is not allowed.

Heh. FWIW, *none* of the things you describe - with the possible exception
of #4- would be allowed or are appropriate in NADAC, TIR or no.


1. (dog runs away, postures aggressively, takes 15 min to be caught)

This one would probably have gotten the competitor excused from a NADAC
trial.

2.

Chuffing it upside the head for refusing to go on the
teeter,

Every NADAC judge I know would have excused someone who did this
immediately, most would have strongly cautioned the exhibitor, some would
have kicked her out of the trial.


3. Kicking dirt at your dog because you are mad isn't terribly good
sportsmanship.

In any venue, and has no relation whatsoever to TIR. G (Out of
curiousity, did this happen in or out of the ring??)


5. If you are about to finish your MACH, don't stop at the end of your
run and turn your back on your dog to yell "did I Q!" to the judge while
your dog runs amok outside the ring getting in other dogs' faces.
Further, when told by the judge that yes, you WERE clean until you
performed above stunt, but have now been NQd for not controlling your
dog, don't have a screaming tantrum because you were stoopid.


EEEeeeeeesh! I'd have been embarrassed even to be *near* that person. What
an eejit.
Most NADAC judges would have also NQ'd her.



6. Give your dog enough room to take the first jump! With the advent of
electronic timers and starts that actually start with jump 1, I'm seeing
more and more people sticking their dogs *right* in front of the
jump--sometimes less than 5 feet away--then expecting them to take it.

I saw your conversation about that on Agiledogs, and I agree. It's not
just limited to runs with electronic timers, either- a lot of NADAC courses
have the startline even with the first jump, and every time it is, I see
people set their dogs WAY too close.

"Robin Nuttall" wrote:

This is specific to AKC where Training in the Ring (TIR) is not allowed.

Heh. FWIW, *none* of the things you describe - with the possible exception
of #4- would be allowed or are appropriate in NADAC, TIR or no.


1. (dog runs away, postures aggressively, takes 15 min to be caught)

This one would probably have gotten the competitor excused from a NADAC
trial.

2.

Chuffing it upside the head for refusing to go on the
teeter,

Every NADAC judge I know would have excused someone who did this
immediately, most would have strongly cautioned the exhibitor, some would
have kicked her out of the trial.


3. Kicking dirt at your dog because you are mad isn't terribly good
sportsmanship.

In any venue, and has no relation whatsoever to TIR. G (Out of
curiousity, did this happen in or out of the ring??)


5. If you are about to finish your MACH, don't stop at the end of your
run and turn your back on your dog to yell "did I Q!" to the judge while
your dog runs amok outside the ring getting in other dogs' faces.
Further, when told by the judge that yes, you WERE clean until you
performed above stunt, but have now been NQd for not controlling your
dog, don't have a screaming tantrum because you were stoopid.


EEEeeeeeesh! I'd have been embarrassed even to be *near* that person. What
an eejit.
Most NADAC judges would have also NQ'd her.



6. Give your dog enough room to take the first jump! With the advent of
electronic timers and starts that actually start with jump 1, I'm seeing
more and more people sticking their dogs *right* in front of the
jump--sometimes less than 5 feet away--then expecting them to take it.

I saw your conversation about that on Agiledogs, and I agree. It's not
just limited to runs with electronic timers, either- a lot of NADAC courses
have the startline even with the first jump, and every time it is, I see
people set their dogs WAY too close.

"Robin Nuttall" wrote in message
news:_Bnsc.35184$zw.8986@attbi_s01...
After going to an AKC trial this past weekend, I've got some suggestions
for Novice A people to consider before entering their dog in a trial.

Can I add on to this? At both AKC and NADAC. I'm hoping that what I'm
seeing is mostly Novice and that when we make it to Open it will get
better..........

When you are on deck with your dog, or three or four back - or any time you
are standing there with your dog waiting your turn - do not crowd the other
dogs and handlers standing there. If you are four dogs back, leave room for
the other three dogs and handlers to be closer to the gate than you - or at
least have a clear path to get there! Check in with the gate steward and
then move away!

And keep your dog away from mine. This is not the time for them to become
friends. Nor is it the time for US to become friends. Nor is it the time
for you to tell me all about the miniature schnauzer that your in-laws have.
I'm not being unfriendly but I am trying to focus on my dog and to keep him
focused on me. And - this one drove me crazy at one trial - just because
you follow us into the ring does not mean that you have to follow us as we
move around the gate area. I was doing it to try to get some separation
from you and your dog!

And when they do call your dog, be ready. Don't be way back in the crowd
talking with people. If you are there to keep your dog away from the crowd
at the gate, I do understand. But be aware of the order and be listening
for them to call you.

PLEASE tell me this gets better with more experienced dogs and handlers?

~~Judy

"Robin Nuttall" wrote in message
news:_Bnsc.35184$zw.8986@attbi_s01...
After going to an AKC trial this past weekend, I've got some suggestions
for Novice A people to consider before entering their dog in a trial.

Can I add on to this? At both AKC and NADAC. I'm hoping that what I'm
seeing is mostly Novice and that when we make it to Open it will get
better..........

When you are on deck with your dog, or three or four back - or any time you
are standing there with your dog waiting your turn - do not crowd the other
dogs and handlers standing there. If you are four dogs back, leave room for
the other three dogs and handlers to be closer to the gate than you - or at
least have a clear path to get there! Check in with the gate steward and
then move away!

And keep your dog away from mine. This is not the time for them to become
friends. Nor is it the time for US to become friends. Nor is it the time
for you to tell me all about the miniature schnauzer that your in-laws have.
I'm not being unfriendly but I am trying to focus on my dog and to keep him
focused on me. And - this one drove me crazy at one trial - just because
you follow us into the ring does not mean that you have to follow us as we
move around the gate area. I was doing it to try to get some separation
from you and your dog!

And when they do call your dog, be ready. Don't be way back in the crowd
talking with people. If you are there to keep your dog away from the crowd
at the gate, I do understand. But be aware of the order and be listening
for them to call you.

PLEASE tell me this gets better with more experienced dogs and handlers?

~~Judy

"Robin Nuttall" wrote in message
news:_Bnsc.35184$zw.8986@attbi_s01...
After going to an AKC trial this past weekend, I've got some suggestions
for Novice A people to consider before entering their dog in a trial.

Can I add on to this? At both AKC and NADAC. I'm hoping that what I'm
seeing is mostly Novice and that when we make it to Open it will get
better..........

When you are on deck with your dog, or three or four back - or any time you
are standing there with your dog waiting your turn - do not crowd the other
dogs and handlers standing there. If you are four dogs back, leave room for
the other three dogs and handlers to be closer to the gate than you - or at
least have a clear path to get there! Check in with the gate steward and
then move away!

And keep your dog away from mine. This is not the time for them to become
friends. Nor is it the time for US to become friends. Nor is it the time
for you to tell me all about the miniature schnauzer that your in-laws have.
I'm not being unfriendly but I am trying to focus on my dog and to keep him
focused on me. And - this one drove me crazy at one trial - just because
you follow us into the ring does not mean that you have to follow us as we
move around the gate area. I was doing it to try to get some separation
from you and your dog!

And when they do call your dog, be ready. Don't be way back in the crowd
talking with people. If you are there to keep your dog away from the crowd
at the gate, I do understand. But be aware of the order and be listening
for them to call you.

PLEASE tell me this gets better with more experienced dogs and handlers?

~~Judy

Sionnach wrote:
"Robin Nuttall" wrote:

You know Sionnach, everything I write isn't directed toward NADAC versus
AKC. Below you'll see why I put "AKC only" in it. So please don't take
all of my posts as some kind of slam on NADAC. This one wasn't meant to
be at all.

1. (dog runs away, postures aggressively, takes 15 min to be caught)

This one would probably have gotten the competitor excused from a NADAC
trial.

He was marginal Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning he lost it at the
end of the course and couldn't be caught, Sunday afternoon he didn't
even try to start and it took 5 people to corral the dog. It was an
Airedale and he was clearly far more interested in targeting other dogs
than anything else. I think the judge did talk to the guy.

Chuffing it upside the head for refusing to go on the
teeter,


Every NADAC judge I know would have excused someone who did this
immediately, most would have strongly cautioned the exhibitor, some would
have kicked her out of the trial.

Now by chuffing I don't mean hitting--it was kind of a brush up against
the side of her head, but definitely very deliberate. And then to plonk
the dog on the piece of equipment *after* the judge whistled her. This
one was why I put "AKC" at the top. In NADAC she could have placed the
dog on the teeter and even touched it deliberately (though not hitting
it!) Big no-no in AKC.

3. Kicking dirt at your dog because you are mad isn't terribly good
sportsmanship.

In any venue, and has no relation whatsoever to TIR. G (Out of
curiousity, did this happen in or out of the ring??)

Right. This isn't an AKC versus NADAC discussion, it's a Novice A
discussion. Happened in the ring. The dog started toward a member of the
ring crew, she yelled at it and kicked dirt at it, and was very promply
whistled off the course with some words from the judge.

By the way, this judge was actually pretty nice some of this stuff. When
I pulled Cala on Friday for being totally over the top I was trying to
leave the ring. Cala was hopping and lunging like a kangaroo and the
judge told me to "be careful" (dogs are supposed to leave on all 4 feet
or no feet) but also that she realized that it was the dog doing it, not me.

5. If you are about to finish your MACH, don't stop at the end of your
run and turn your back on your dog to yell "did I Q!" to the judge while
your dog runs amok outside the ring getting in other dogs' faces.
Further, when told by the judge that yes, you WERE clean until you
performed above stunt, but have now been NQd for not controlling your
dog, don't have a screaming tantrum because you were stoopid.


EEEeeeeeesh! I'd have been embarrassed even to be *near* that person. What
an eejit.
Most NADAC judges would have also NQ'd her.

It was very embarrassing for everyone!! She did finish her MACH the next
day and we all did applaud, but she sure didn't make any friends with
that little stunt. It wasn't anyone from our area.

I saw your conversation about that on Agiledogs, and I agree. It's not
just limited to runs with electronic timers, either- a lot of NADAC courses
have the startline even with the first jump, and every time it is, I see
people set their dogs WAY too close.

Yep. And while I generally agree with the person on agiledogs who said
that the dog should know to leave bars up, what purpose does it serve to
jam them that close to the first jump? It's an easy Novice mistake to
make--I did it once with Viva and she launched from a standstill and
wiped out the jump. I never did it again. Cala I set even farther back
because I send her from a down.

Sionnach wrote:
"Robin Nuttall" wrote:

You know Sionnach, everything I write isn't directed toward NADAC versus
AKC. Below you'll see why I put "AKC only" in it. So please don't take
all of my posts as some kind of slam on NADAC. This one wasn't meant to
be at all.

1. (dog runs away, postures aggressively, takes 15 min to be caught)

This one would probably have gotten the competitor excused from a NADAC
trial.

He was marginal Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning he lost it at the
end of the course and couldn't be caught, Sunday afternoon he didn't
even try to start and it took 5 people to corral the dog. It was an
Airedale and he was clearly far more interested in targeting other dogs
than anything else. I think the judge did talk to the guy.

Chuffing it upside the head for refusing to go on the
teeter,


Every NADAC judge I know would have excused someone who did this
immediately, most would have strongly cautioned the exhibitor, some would
have kicked her out of the trial.

Now by chuffing I don't mean hitting--it was kind of a brush up against
the side of her head, but definitely very deliberate. And then to plonk
the dog on the piece of equipment *after* the judge whistled her. This
one was why I put "AKC" at the top. In NADAC she could have placed the
dog on the teeter and even touched it deliberately (though not hitting
it!) Big no-no in AKC.

3. Kicking dirt at your dog because you are mad isn't terribly good
sportsmanship.

In any venue, and has no relation whatsoever to TIR. G (Out of
curiousity, did this happen in or out of the ring??)

Right. This isn't an AKC versus NADAC discussion, it's a Novice A
discussion. Happened in the ring. The dog started toward a member of the
ring crew, she yelled at it and kicked dirt at it, and was very promply
whistled off the course with some words from the judge.

By the way, this judge was actually pretty nice some of this stuff. When
I pulled Cala on Friday for being totally over the top I was trying to
leave the ring. Cala was hopping and lunging like a kangaroo and the
judge told me to "be careful" (dogs are supposed to leave on all 4 feet
or no feet) but also that she realized that it was the dog doing it, not me.

5. If you are about to finish your MACH, don't stop at the end of your
run and turn your back on your dog to yell "did I Q!" to the judge while
your dog runs amok outside the ring getting in other dogs' faces.
Further, when told by the judge that yes, you WERE clean until you
performed above stunt, but have now been NQd for not controlling your
dog, don't have a screaming tantrum because you were stoopid.


EEEeeeeeesh! I'd have been embarrassed even to be *near* that person. What
an eejit.
Most NADAC judges would have also NQ'd her.

It was very embarrassing for everyone!! She did finish her MACH the next
day and we all did applaud, but she sure didn't make any friends with
that little stunt. It wasn't anyone from our area.

I saw your conversation about that on Agiledogs, and I agree. It's not
just limited to runs with electronic timers, either- a lot of NADAC courses
have the startline even with the first jump, and every time it is, I see
people set their dogs WAY too close.

Yep. And while I generally agree with the person on agiledogs who said
that the dog should know to leave bars up, what purpose does it serve to
jam them that close to the first jump? It's an easy Novice mistake to
make--I did it once with Viva and she launched from a standstill and
wiped out the jump. I never did it again. Cala I set even farther back
because I send her from a down.

Sionnach wrote:
"Robin Nuttall" wrote:

You know Sionnach, everything I write isn't directed toward NADAC versus
AKC. Below you'll see why I put "AKC only" in it. So please don't take
all of my posts as some kind of slam on NADAC. This one wasn't meant to
be at all.

1. (dog runs away, postures aggressively, takes 15 min to be caught)

This one would probably have gotten the competitor excused from a NADAC
trial.

He was marginal Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning he lost it at the
end of the course and couldn't be caught, Sunday afternoon he didn't
even try to start and it took 5 people to corral the dog. It was an
Airedale and he was clearly far more interested in targeting other dogs
than anything else. I think the judge did talk to the guy.

Chuffing it upside the head for refusing to go on the
teeter,


Every NADAC judge I know would have excused someone who did this
immediately, most would have strongly cautioned the exhibitor, some would
have kicked her out of the trial.

Now by chuffing I don't mean hitting--it was kind of a brush up against
the side of her head, but definitely very deliberate. And then to plonk
the dog on the piece of equipment *after* the judge whistled her. This
one was why I put "AKC" at the top. In NADAC she could have placed the
dog on the teeter and even touched it deliberately (though not hitting
it!) Big no-no in AKC.

3. Kicking dirt at your dog because you are mad isn't terribly good
sportsmanship.

In any venue, and has no relation whatsoever to TIR. G (Out of
curiousity, did this happen in or out of the ring??)

Right. This isn't an AKC versus NADAC discussion, it's a Novice A
discussion. Happened in the ring. The dog started toward a member of the
ring crew, she yelled at it and kicked dirt at it, and was very promply
whistled off the course with some words from the judge.

By the way, this judge was actually pretty nice some of this stuff. When
I pulled Cala on Friday for being totally over the top I was trying to
leave the ring. Cala was hopping and lunging like a kangaroo and the
judge told me to "be careful" (dogs are supposed to leave on all 4 feet
or no feet) but also that she realized that it was the dog doing it, not me.

5. If you are about to finish your MACH, don't stop at the end of your
run and turn your back on your dog to yell "did I Q!" to the judge while
your dog runs amok outside the ring getting in other dogs' faces.
Further, when told by the judge that yes, you WERE clean until you
performed above stunt, but have now been NQd for not controlling your
dog, don't have a screaming tantrum because you were stoopid.


EEEeeeeeesh! I'd have been embarrassed even to be *near* that person. What
an eejit.
Most NADAC judges would have also NQ'd her.

It was very embarrassing for everyone!! She did finish her MACH the next
day and we all did applaud, but she sure didn't make any friends with
that little stunt. It wasn't anyone from our area.

I saw your conversation about that on Agiledogs, and I agree. It's not
just limited to runs with electronic timers, either- a lot of NADAC courses
have the startline even with the first jump, and every time it is, I see
people set their dogs WAY too close.

Yep. And while I generally agree with the person on agiledogs who said
that the dog should know to leave bars up, what purpose does it serve to
jam them that close to the first jump? It's an easy Novice mistake to
make--I did it once with Viva and she launched from a standstill and
wiped out the jump. I never did it again. Cala I set even farther back
because I send her from a down.