Your First Dog Agility Trial: What to Expect

So, you and your dog have been training for months or even years for your first agility trial. You feel you are ready for the competition ring and just thinking about it gives you butterflies in your stomach. Your first agility
trial can be nerve-wracking but understanding what happens at the trial helps alleviate some of your fears. Try not to be concerned with earning Q's your first time out and stay lighthearted to prevent your dog from getting anxious.

Waiting Area

Waiting between agility events is harder than competing because you and your dog have time to stress over the situation. Having a comfortable waiting area will keep your dog comfortable and help you remain calm. Bring a crate for your dog to rest in between events and a chair for you. A crate cover works wonders if your dog becomes nervous from all the sights and sounds of other dogs and cheering crowds. The cover gives your dog his own safe area, making him feel grounded and secure. Your dog can stay in the crate while you observe other competitors or volunteer to help with the events.

Judge's Explanation

Before you begin your first agility event, all the competitors gather at the ring to hear the judge's explanation of the rules about scoring, handler behavior and dog behavior. You can ask any questions you might have about the run at this time.

Walk the Course

Take advantage of the time allotted for walking the course. The more familiar you are with the course layout, the less anxious you will be during your run. As you walk the course, figure out which obstacles require a front-cross or a rear-cross, so you do not find yourself on the wrong side of your dog during the run. Look for patterns in the course layout to help your remember the order of the run. Although the agility obstacles are numbered, it is difficult to watch for the numbers and watch your dog at the same time, so following patterns can help.

Agility Run

Agility rules require your dog to run the course without a collar or a leash. A leash runner takes your dog's leash and collar at the start line and hands it back to you when as you cross the finish line.
The event timer begins as soon as your dog crosses the first obstacle, so take your time settling your dog before starting the run. Once your dog crosses the first obstacle, there is no turning back and restarting.
Stay positive during your run, smile at your dog and use an upbeat voice. Keep your dog happy, no matter if he knocks off a jump bar or misses an obstacle. The main thing is to keep your dog's first agility trial fun. A dog that has a negative experience the first time around is less likely to perform any better the next time.

Finish Line

Once you cross the finish line, put your dog's collar and leash back on. Immediately go to your dog's treats and give him a jackpot. Agility trials strengthen the bond between you and your dog. It doesn't matter if your dog qualified, as long as you worked as a team and had fun.

References:

North American Dog Agility Council
Steve Schwarz, "Learning Front Cross," Agility Nerd

Volunteer at Your Next Dog Agility Trial

Participating in dog agility is one of the best ways to bond with your dog. After a few months of agility classes, you will notice that you and your dog communicate without having to say anything. It all has to do with body language. Dog agility trials offer you one more way to keep that bond strong and give you an idea of how your dog focuses on you even with so many distractions.

If you decide to enter an agility event with your dog, consider the volunteer opportunities available at the trial. Volunteering for one of the trial jobs helps you become acquainted with other competitors and makes the events run smoothly. It also gives you a close up view of the agility course and something to do besides get nervous before your agility run. Make sure you designate which events you are competing in when you fill out the volunteer form. This ensures you free time for your event. Even beginner agility enthusiasts can do most of the volunteer work.

Ring Crew

Volunteering for ring crew is a good starter job at the trial. All that is involved is sitting on the sidelines and watching the dogs run the course. If a dog should knock off a jump bar, you run in and put it back on the jump. Also, when the dog groups change, you set the jump bars to the correct height for the dog. You do not have to guess because the judge yells out the jump height.

Leash Runner

Leash runner is another beginner volunteer job. Each handler takes the leash and collar off the dog before beginning the course. The leash runner takes the collar and leash and carries it to the end of the course. When the dog completes the final obstacle, you hand the leash to the handler.

Course Builder

Course builders set up the new agility course for each event. This job involves moving jumps, tunnels, weave poles, A- frames, hoops, and dog walks. A course chart is available to show where the obstacles go and how they are numbered. The judge is also available to direct how the course should be set.

Timekeeper

The time of each dog's run is calculated electronically. When the dog runs through the first obstacle, it registers on the time keeping machine. The timekeeper just has to make sure the time begins as soon as the dog begins its run and turns off when the dog passes the final obstacle.

Scribe

The scribe's job is to write down the time it took each dog to complete the agility course. When the dog finishes the run, the timekeeper tells the scribe the dog's time.

References:
North American Agility Council
Act Up Agility Club