Understand your Dog's Vocal Communications

Another fun article from The Whole Dog Journal. Enjoy!

Dog Agility Organizations

Thought it might be interesting to share information found on the affordableagility.com website about agility organizations.
 

Who makes the rules, and how to contact them.

There are 5 major agility organizations in the United States responsible for sponsoring agility competitions and generally "policing" the sport. Understanding some basic differences will help you to know which trials you should enter. Each of these organizations offer their own titles that cannot be mixed and matched. For example, if you earn an advanced title in AKC, you must still start in the first level of USDAA. For the most part, each of the organizations uses the same obstacles, but there are a few that are unique to one or the other, and each one might have some slight differences in the obstacle specifications.  At Affordable Agility, we try to keep on top of all these details in our equipment.

AKC (American Kennel Club) offers agility to purebred and companion dogs. Like the other organizations, you have to register your dog with them. If you lack papers on your dog, you need to send them a picture and description of your dog (to prove it is a pure bred), as well as some other information in order to get an "ILP number" that you will use when entering competitions. You may also apply for a Canine Partner number, which allows your mixed breed to compete in agility alonside purebreds and ILP dogs. AKC has less stringent obstacles, but smaller courses than USDAA. It is a good "in-between" organization for many handlers.

CPE (Canine Performance Events) is growing in popularity, especially among those who have advanced in AKC. They have smooth flowing courses, and are very similar to AKC standards for equipment. It offers a multitude of titles in 5 competitive levels, including classes for junior handlers and older dogs too. Both mixed-breeds and pure-breds are allowed to compete for titles. CPE offers 'fun runs', an easy way to introduce your dog to trials.

USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association, Inc.), is known for allowing mixed-breeds to earn titles, as well as pure-breds. Originating in Great Britain, the USDAA is responsible for the standards of agility used around the world. The obstacles are slightly more difficult (more narrow planks, higher jump heights, and smaller tire size), but once your dog maneuvers these, AKC obstacles will be no problem. Because of the emphasis on speed and more spacious courses, dogs and handlers should be in good shape to move up the ranks in USDAA competitions. Some dogs may also have a hard time clearing the higher jumps.

UKC (United Kennel Club) is known for smaller and tighter courses, demanding more precision and control. But they offer lower height and speed standards. Their philosophy is more to make agility available to anyone regardless of physical abilities, and all dogs, no matter what their breed disadvantages are. UKC is a great organization to master first, as it will make competing in the other organizations easier. But UKC events are harder to find in some areas.  Some 4-H groups adopt UKC obstacle specifications for their competitions.

NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council) is the 4th runner up with approximately 50 clubs in the U.S. NADAC offers more moderate jump heights and safe courses, and uses the least amount of obstacles. Dogs must be at least 18 months old to start, and can be mixed breeds.

How to contact them.
When you join the USDAA you will receive a manual of their rules, a training booklet, and a bimonthly publication of upcoming events.

Visit affordableagility.com for more links, information and equipment purchase.

NEW CLUB EMAIL

WE HAVE A NEW E-MAIL FOR CLUB CONTACT AND TRAINING:

zoomdogagilityclub@gmail.com

 

 

Please make note and use this e-mail for all communications!

Hurdle Day Agility Training

Kristin showing an Ann Croft Hurdle day exercise. This looks so fun!

Blog post courtesy of Kristin Sittner.

Office NominationsClub Membership

 

If you are interested in running for an office and club membership, please e-mail the club as soon as possible. We will be accepting nominations in May and voting in June for the upcoming year (that starts in July).

This is the area where we need the most help and anything that you can do is greatly appreciated!

Officers for the club are as follows:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Training Director

We would also like to establish committees for membership, training, fund raising, and activities.

As you can see, there is a lot you can help with. Don't be shy, let's make this a banner year and grow the club with membership and training classes. The only way we can do this is with your help. Let us know if you would be willing to serve in any of these capacities.

Congratulations Vicki and Bisbee

 

Big shout out to Vicki and Bisbee for running their first USDAA agility trial this weekend. They both did wonderfully. Be sure and ask her about how awesome she was this weekend when you see her :-)

Monday Morning Pick-Me-Up

It's Monday, after a very LONG weekend :-) thought we might all get a laugh from the 40 greatest dog GIFs of all time.

Enjoy!

Karma vs Rush – AKC National Agility Championship Finals Analysis

Here's another side-by-side view from the 2013 National Championship Finals from Bad Dog Agility. So fun to watch!

Clover Course from USDAA Dog Agility

 

Thought it would be fun to get your brain going today :-)

The goal for this four-leaf clover-inspired course is for you to reach outside your usual comfort zone and handle the course in multiple ways with the same dog. The challenge is to find as many ways to handle the course successfully as you can.

Start with #1-#3. Here are a few of the potential ways to handle that segment:

*Lead out past #2 and face your dog. Push your dog into the tunnel.
*Lead out to between #1 and #2 with the dog on your right. Run with your dog, pulling him into the tunnel.
*Start with your dog and run #1-#3 with your dog on your right.
*Start with your dog on your left and rear cross between #1 and #2, pulling your dog into the tunnel.

Can you think of more ways to handle #1-#3? Which way works best for you and your dog?

Now try #4-#9. Try turning your dog to the left around #5 on your way to #6. Then try turning him to the right. Try the same thing with #8 on the way to #9. Which way works best for you and your dog? When doing the remainder of the course, try turning left and right after #13 as well.

Before you run the whole course, consider how your handling choices in each segment may affect the next segment. For example, if you run on the left in the opening and go around the backside of the tunnel, how will you handle #4 and #5? Would it be better if you crossed behind the tunnel after your dog entered it so that #4 and your dog will be on your left?

This information was obtained from USDAA Dog Agility site.

Jump Cup Strips

Hey everyone. Jump cup strips are in. We have installed them on all of the club's jumps (they look fantastic)

Contact training@zoomdogagility.org to pick yours up :-)

Pace vs Solar – AKC National Agility Championship Challengers Round Analysis

This was an analysis recently published in Bad Dog Agility. Interesting to see the slight handling differences and the amount of strides per dog. Did the handling influence the strides? I think slightly, yes, but wouldn't it be great to have the handling skills of either one of these handlers.

Repost of Directions to the Barn for Classes Tonight

The address if 4725 West 3100 South in Wellsville. If you enter this address into your gps, you will end up on Hwy 89 :-(  Try using 3100 South 4800 West in Wellsville, and you will get close.

Directions:

1.            From Logan go south on US 89/91

2.            Past the American West Heritage Center take the last right turn before the light onto 400 N/4700 S

3.            At the Y (there is a stop sign just before the railroad tracks) turn right and continue west on 400 N

4.            Continue west until you get to Center St/UT 23 then turn right

5.            Follow UT 23 north for about 1.5 miles

6.            Turn right at 3700 South (you will actually be on 4800 West but you won’t see the sign from the highway)

7.            Continue north for about .6 miles, the barn will be right in front of you

If you miss the turn onto 3700 S/4800 W continue to 3400 S, turn right, go east to 4800 W, turn left and the barn will be right in front of you.

If you miss the turn at step 2 you can turn right at the light, follow the road east to Center Street/UT 23, turn right and pick up the directions at step 4.

Alternate route from North Cache Valley

1.            Get on to UT 23 South

2.            About 4 miles south of Mendon turn left at 3400 South.

3.            Turn left at 4800 W

4.            Continue for about .3 mile, the barn will be right in front of you

From South Cache Valley

1.            In Hyrum go west on UT 101 to US 89/-91

2.            At the light continue west to Center Street/ UT 23

3.            Turn right and continue north for about 2.1 miles

4.            Turn right at 3700 South (you will actually be on 4800 West but you won’t see the sign from the highway)

5.            Continue north for about .6 miles, the barn will be right in front of you