• 01Jun

  Contest-Pause Tables for Four Paws

  Contests 51 Comments

  June’s contest is here!  The AKC is changing their pause table requirements to four paws on, no position required, as of September 1st, 2010.

  What’re your thoughts on this position change? It seems almost like a celebration in mediocrity to me. While downing on the table may be overkill, since it’s difficult to tell with some dogs if they’re down, or just crouched (Greyhounds, Dobies, and similar body types spring to mind.) it seems too easy to just have to jump up and stand on the table. A position on the table showcases your dogs’ impulse control and focus in a unique way, and doing away with that aspect of agility, no matter how difficult, feels like a cheapening of the entire sport. I know it can be difficult to find out just before a trial which position your dog has to assume. That makes things harder.

  Am I alone in this? Maybe I’m just behind the times. Will this change make agility more fun for you and your dog? Even if you don’t compete in AKC, I’d like to get your feedback.  Does the venue you compete in require a position?

  Comment with your answer and you could be this months’ winner!  The prize is a Doggie Drencher from Affordable Agility, sure to help cool off your speeding bullet. The winner will be selected by random drawing on June 30th.

  The winner was Janet!  Congratulations! Stay tuned for more contests.

  How to enter this contest:

  1. If you have never done so before, you must first register your email address on this blog.  We will then notify you if you are a winner of this contest.  You only need to do this once, and you will be good for all future monthly contests (and get priority notification of when they occur)!
  2. Scroll to the bottom of this page and enter your comment/answer.  Or, if there is no box, click on the “comments” in the upper right corner.

  

  Tags: agility changes, agility competing, agility organizations

• 20Jan

  Welcome Mat for Mutts at the AKC

  Dog Agility Competing 9 Comments

  Back in May we discussed the AKC allowing mixed breeds to compete with the purebreds.  There was a  lot of great feedback here at AgilityFusion, and elsewhere on the internet as well, apparently!  AKC has changed their stance on the Mixed Breed titling system and competing due to ‘compelling feedback’ from the community.

  AKC decided to allow mixed breeds to compete in any agility trial WITHIN the same classes. This is different than their previous ‘separate class’ distinction that was obviously not accepted as well and clubs thought too confusing.  This means the AKC can now really compete with USDAA and CPE in their agility offerings (and rally and obedience as well!).  This’ll begin April 1st (I know, really?) So your mixed breed dog can now compete head to head with the purebreds, and may the best dog win!

  Clubs have the choice not to enroll in the Mixed Breed program (called the AKC Canine Partners Program), but it is anticipated that all will. Why limit your clubs’ venue by not allowing registered mix breeds? there’s money to be made in it, after all!

  You can register your Mix here:http://www.akc.org/mixedbreeds/listing_benefits.cfm and you can find trials that allow mixes at  http://www.akc.org/events/search/index.cfm?action=refresh_index&active_tab_row=2&active_tab_col=3&fixed_tab=8&mxb_flag=Y  I think this will definitely make it easier to get competitions in areas that don’t have a lot of venue options.

  

  Tags: agility changes, agility competing, agility organizations, dog breeds, Events & News

• 04Jan

  AKC Weave Pole Spacing Results

  Dog Agility Equipment 2 Comments

  The results are in!   I asked everyone what their opinion might be on AKC’s coming announcement of a change in weave pole spacing to 24″ (due around February).  Over 95 of you submitted your thoughts, and they were all very enlightening!  To read them all, go here.

  Summary

  Nearly everyone agrees that 24″ spacing is healthier for dogs of all sizes, but most helpful for big and long-backed dogs.  Dogs with neck and back problems who have switched have had significant lessening of their symptoms. Larger dogs are moving faster and ‘smiling’ as they run- and isn’t that what it’s about? Having fun and being safe. This also opens the AKC venue for more competitors, since some dogs with health issues can use the wider weaves without worrying about aggravating an injury.  All round, a big thumbs’ up for health.

  There’s been some fears expressed that smaller dogs will pop out more, or be slowed down by the wider weaves- but the experience of many people say their smaller dog hasn’t had a problem, or has been even faster!

  Check this video one of our members sent!  It illustrates in slow motion how the wider  spacing affects different size dogs.

  Several commented and said they thought trials should have two sets on course- one for big dogs, one for small dogs.  After all, A-frames are adjustable, jump categories are for big and small dogs, why not have two sets of weaves? That could be a good idea, except there’d have to be stipulations for the long-backed small dogs like Corgis and Dachshunds.  I can see it now…meansuring not just tall, but long!  Probably not going to happen, but a creative idea nonetheless. 

  In summary, AKC has made a change for the health of the big dogs- not a simple preference, but an actual health issue.  The change doesn’t hurt the small dogs, and benefits the large dogs.  It sounds like a win-win situation.  While maybe two sets of poles is a good choice (though some clubs may not be able to afford them) the AKC has spoken, and 24″ spacing prevails. 

  What about USDAA?

  This leads to a problem.  When is the USDAA going to make the change?  They mandate a current range of 20″-22″!   So far they aren’t talking, and this is a frustrating to many people who compete in various venues.  I personally believe that if they take their time in making the change, this issue is going to be damaging to their organization.   I already see more and more people leaving AKC for CPE for certain advantages that AKC is slow to embrace, and USDAA is sure to experience a downhill descent if they don’t make changes faster.   (A universal umbrella organization would be  helpful at times like this, though I’m glad there isn’t for other reasons!)  USDAA should jump on the health-issues with weaves bandwagon as soon as they can. 

  Congratulations to our Winner!

  Congratulations to Jeff Riedl, who won a copy of Susan Garrett’s DVD “12 Poles in 12 Days”.  Our random number generator chose #26 and he was the 26th comment that came in.  If you want your own copy, visit here and check it out!  And check out our 24″  weaves here.  (and for USDAA folks, yep, we  have 21″ available as well!)

  

  Tags: agility changes, agility organizations, agility safety, controversial, videos

• 24Oct

  Concerning AKC’s Mixed Breed Program

  Dog Agility Competing No Comments

  Regardless of mixed feelings you may have concerning this issue (click here to read our controversial and well-commented post on this subject), I just wanted to spread the word for those interested…

  AKC’s new program for mixed-breed dogs, AKC Canine Partners, is now open for business. If you have a mixed-breed dog you’d like to enroll in this program—giving him the chance to compete in stand-alone obedience, rally, and agility events—go to akccaninepartners.org. In addition to event eligibility, owners enrolling in AKC Canine Partners will receive lifetime enrollment in the AKC CAR Lost and Found recovery service, a one-year subscription to AKC FAMILY DOG, an AKC Canine Partners decal and a frameable certificate of recognition.

  

  Tags: agility changes, agility training, dog fame

• 24Sep

  Change is good, right?

  Dog Agility Competing 13 Comments

  Just when you thought you had it all figured out…AKC releases their 2009 Committee Regulations.  What does this mean?  It means they’ve done all the hard work of finalizing changes that they want to implement, and it only needs the approval of the Board of Directors.  In other words, they are more than just recommendations, they are just about “sealed and done”.  How will it affect you?  For those of who just want the basics, I’ve narrowed it down to the changes that will affect the most people who compete (Judges and clubs that host sanctioned trials will want to read the requirements the full report by clicking on the “read more” link below.  The AKC direct is at the bottom.)

  
  Keep in mind these changes are not immediate.  It will take 2 years for implementation of many of these changes.  Stay tuned for current updates as we hear about them.

   

  Rules Changes:

   

  1. Position-less table – count/time starts once all four paws have touched the table (and the dog remains on the table top).  Neither a sit nor a down position is required.

   

  2. Clubs may offer full refunds to exhibitors who have to cancel, after the trial has closed, but prior to the date of the trial, provided the club can fill any canceled entries from the wait list.

   

  3. If a dog is officially measured by a VMO or Agility Field Rep for a jump height card and that measurement places the dog into a lower jump height class, entrants in the Regular classes may move down effective immediately.

   

  There’s more! (click on the blue link below)

  
  Continue reading »

  

  Tags: agility changes, agility competing, agility organizations

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