• 30Mar

  High and Wide

  Dog Agility Competing, Dog Agility Equipment, Dog Agility Training No Comments

  Triple jumps challenge dogs to jump high and wide.  This complexity often leads to dogs tripping over these hurdles, or knocking bars.  It’s crucial to practice regularly with these jumps, so your dog learns to judge depth and height.

  How high? Triple jumps are set for competition at your dog’s jump height, with the jump height also being the jump width.  So if your dog jumps at 12″, the back bar is 12″ high, and 12″ from the first bar, with the first bar set at 6, the middle at 9.

  Where to start? Remember to start the triple jump low – at half height – and narrow.  Gradually raise the bars and spread them to the full height and width, and your dog will soar over them with no trouble!

  How can I make them more of a challenge? If you want to mix things up with your triple, proof.  Work your dog off both sides, and put the jump in different sequences on the course.  Practice sending out to it, coming into it,  and taking it before and after another jump, tunnel, contact… make the obstacle easy for your dog to complete by proofing thoroughly!

  Triple jumps are on sale this week at Affordable Agility! Get ready to rock this summer!

  

  Tags: agility competing, agility obstacles, agility training

• 04Feb

  Artistic Agility

  Dog Agility Competing, Dog Agility Training No Comments

  This video is simple, and beautiful. I think the snow background really adds to the artistic ‘feel’ of it. Enjoy!

  

  Tags: agility training

• 26Jan

  In-Ring Rewards

  Dog Agility Competing 27 Comments

  Most Agility organizations don’t allow treats or toys in the ring, or even within ten feet of the ring.  (I believe NADAC is considering amending this rule, but has not changed it as of yet.  They may not change it at all. Do any of you NADAC experts know for certain?) I’m not certain how I feel about that. As I’ve heard pointed out, pockets nearly always have treats in them, and can be forgotten about completely, as evidenced by how many times I’ve washed them in my pockets. I like the way UKAI handles it – you may bring a toy if you want, and it’s a fun run.  Treats can just get all over!

  However, for treats, I think that while they can be allowed on course without providing an undue distraction to the dog (so long as they are not rewarded on course) if they are safely contained in a treat bag or ziplock bag. What do you think? Treats, yea or nay?

  

  Tags: agility competing, agility organizations

• 19Jan

  Agility Around the Clock

  Dog Agility Competing, Dog Agility Training No Comments

  Don’t be tempted to approach obstacles the easy way! While some obstacles should only, ever, be taken one way (the broad jump comes to mind) other obstacles should be taken in a variety of sequences, from a variety of angles.

  Go ‘around the clock’ for weave entries, jumps, and tunnels. While you should vary the angles for contact equipment, be careful not to endanger your dog by calling them to the side of the obstacle too quickly and making them jump off the side.

  

  Tags: agility beginners, agility competing, agility training

• 27Dec

  Keeping Score

  Dog Agility Competing No Comments

  Q. In AKC agility, when you get into Excellent B and you start getting points for your MACH, who keeps track of the points?

  A. The AKC has a computer system that keeps track of all qualifying scores and points earned in any of their dog sports. To see points earned as calculated by the AKC, go to www.akc.org and log in to the online store. Click on “AKC Reports” then “points and Awards”. Enter you dog’s information and click “View Points/Summary of the Title Progression for this do.” This will display a free report that shows your dog’s information in detail, including what events have occurred but are not yet included in the repot. Even handlers who keep their own records should check the AKC site periodically to make sure that an error has not occurred.

  Actually, every handler should record his or her own accomplishments in some way. Occasionally, qualifying scores are lost or points are miscalculated. The best way to make sure that your championship points are recorded properly is to confirm that your score is recorded correctly at a trial. You can do this by checking posted results before you leave the trial and keeping your own accurate records that you cross-check with the AKC’s listings.

  © Clean Run

  

  Tags: agility competing, agility organizations

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