getting into Agility competitions...

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Hedwards

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I know its very early days (and I will also be talking to the dog trainer at the local club i go to) but I was wondering if anyone could let me know what I'd need to do to be able to go out and take the gruesome twosome to some agility competitions. Suzy is a mile off being ready - mainly due to her feeling the need to do a lap of the arena after every jump - but she is getting better!! However Millie is really getting the hang of things and flies around the courses we do, she is still learning weaves and the see-saw, but the tunnels (including collapsables) and jumps are brilliant and I'm slowly learning all the different types of turns and understanding where I need to be. I understand I need to get her officially measured etc. but have no idea how to go about anything like that, and also what is expected of beginner dogs/handlers etc... anyone with any advice they can provide???
 
when i did agility a couple of years ago (dog had to be retired after 2 comps due to injury :( ) - she was flipping good too - top 10 placing out of 130 dogs in her first show....

anyhow..... when Mil (dog) was measured it wasa t a show before she competed..... cost like £3....

For beginner dogs - grade 1..... let people know its your first show.... ask for help...TALK to anyone..... most agility folk are lovely and friendly and will help you!....

Also take a friend with you for your first show.... its much easier for dog holding etc

if your in cheshire id like to nominate myself as your friend :D i miss agility :( !! lol :)
 
Thanks noodle, sadly I'm in Leicestershire - maybe a bit far... which is a shame as I'd have to take Suzy with me even if its only Millie competing - she cant be left alone!

I'm hoping to use the club i go to a bit and go out with them - they dont know this yet and may say no - but they're lovely so I'm hoping not!

I've been googling a bit and can see there are different types of classes, but dont have a clue what they mean...
 
haha shame :D

I have a Millie too :D (good name!)

Speak to the club.... i went more often with mine.... I also went to a few shows with the presious dogs independantly.

Grade 1 is the "baby" class upto grade 7 which was seniours back in the day when i started!!!

You will enter grade 1..... or grade 1/2 combined (but go for grade 1) one agility and 1 jumping class per show generally.....

there may be a helter skelter class/points class - all varies and its been a while since i have looked tbh !! :o

If your clubs supportive - get involved with some interclub shows too (helping) as well as competing...."easier" to begin with as they are more lenient with points/faults (as i found...)

:)
 
Thanks for that, just been looking at measuring, going to have to find someone/where to do that.

Millie is a good name!! (although its rare she actually gets called Millie - more often then not its spud, puppet, or oi no, leave that, come back here you litte s**t, stop beating up Suzy!

I'm a little excited at taking them out properly, its probably going to be some time before it happens, but is something to aim at!

here are the monkeys (any excuse to show them off!)

Millie (with her rosette for winning a jumping class at a local country fair!)
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Suzy enjoying the sun
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If you want to compete at KC agility shows you will need to get an agility record book 1.50, you can get it on the KC website or sometimes the measurers have some. Then you need to get your dog measured about 3 pound, you can look on the agility forum for measuring sessions, they are at some shows or sometimes clubs organise them, the KC should be able to give you measurers in your area and they can tell you where they are measuring. Then you need to find shows you want to enter, look on agilitynet for a list of shows and schedules, the entries usually close about a month before the show.

UKA shows you need to get them measured I think at their shows, not too sure as haven't been to any.

And independant shows all have their own rules, so you would need to read the schedule.

Most people at shows are really helpful, just have fun!
 
Hedwards said:
Thanks noodle, sadly I'm in Leicestershire - maybe a bit far... which is a shame as I'd have to take Suzy with me even if its only Millie competing - she cant be left alone!
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Ooo where abouts? I'm Leicestershire!


Echo what Oenoke said, and yes UKA need measuring - they usually have a board up at shows and announcements for when they're measuring. They need measuring twice for KC and once for UKA.

Also you can't compete at KC until the dog is 2yrs old - not sure how old your two are? But some shows have nursery classes for 18month olds and I think UKA have a couple of classes for 12month olds.

If you go on agilitynet.com there's schedules for KC and UKA, go a long and watch a couple first, helped me no end nerves wise and what to expect. There's always someone friendly to talk to and ask questions.

There's also EMDAC (East Mids Dog Agility Club) in Asfordby, I'm not a huge fan as they can be very disorganised, but they're very laid back so can be good for first shows
 
echodomino said:
Also you can't compete at KC until the dog is 2yrs old - not sure how old your two are? But some shows have nursery classes for 18month olds and I think UKA have a couple of classes for 12month olds.
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KC shows they can compete from 18 months old (it's UKA that have nursery classes that used to be from 14 months, but I think it's older now). They have to be 15 months old to have 1st measure for KC shows (unless obviously large, when they can be measured at any age form when they are obviously large and don't need a 2nd measure), the 2nd measure has to be between 1 year and 2 years after the 1st.
 
Oenoke said:
KC shows they can compete from 18 months old (it's UKA that have nursery classes that used to be from 14 months, but I think it's older now). They have to be 15 months old to have 1st measure for KC shows (unless obviously large, when they can be measured at any age form when they are obviously large and don't need a 2nd measure), the 2nd measure has to be between 1 year and 2 years after the 1st.
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Was close lol! I've been out the loop for a year :) hoping to get back in next year with the baby dogs :D

Just looked on UKA website, 18months to compete as you said and 16months for nursery and steeplechase
 
Echod I'm north west leices, emdac is where a lot of the dog club go I think. Millie will be 18 months in a couple of weeks, Suzy is unknown but at least 18 months.

Think I'll speak to the dog club on Sunday and see if they can help with sorting the measuring out too. Think I may pop over to dog Vegas at arena UK next time that's on and see what goes on up there. Ooo I'm really excited now!
 
Hedwards said:
Echod I'm north west leices, emdac is where a lot of the dog club go I think. Millie will be 18 months in a couple of weeks, Suzy is unknown but at least 18 months.

Think I'll speak to the dog club on Sunday and see if they can help with sorting the measuring out too. Think I may pop over to dog Vegas at arena UK next time that's on and see what goes on up there. Ooo I'm really excited now!
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Getting closer, I'm Coalville. Which club are you with? I used to train at Harlequin Agility in Markfield but I've got a couple of friends who've passed their instructors courses so I train one to one with them now.

Dog Vegas is good, Mouse won into Grade 3 there :D
 
Ahhh well I'm just down the road from you then!!

I've been going to fun4all dog club. Lucky you having qualified friends!!

I went to dog Vegas last year to watch a friend, but wasn't really paying much attention other than to her and her dog!!
 
I know Helen, she was at Harlequin originally too, she'll know Mouse but not my younger two.

We're lucky being in the middle, there's loads of choice. Dog Vegas isn't far and there are quite a few indoor shows over winter, the main season being April-October, I think lol.
 
Helen has been brilliant with Suzy, and has put up with her sprinting around the arena!! Right well I'll be off to dog Vegas in the next couple of weeks then!
 
It's addictive :D When I started in 2006 all I wanted to do was train, I wasn't interested in competing, then the club held a show and I entered and that was it I was hooked. Not done anything for the last year because of work but I'm hoping to start training the girls by the end of the year depending how quick I get back on my feet. Can't wait to get competing again, especially the weekend ones - good excuse to get the caravan out and alcohol a plenty :p
 
Well my horse is basically retired, so this is making up for missing the dressage and show jumping!!

Millie just loves it and I think Suzy is loving it too!
 
Make sure you have someone handy with a camera too as the pro pics can be expensive and I love looking back. Videos are good too, you can see where you've gone wrong so you don't do it again lol. Will have to let you know when I'm back out we'll have to meet up at one :D I can kidnap Millie to add to my collection lol, though I have a Millie too :p
 
Yeah, will definitely be bringing a photographer come general helper if/when I do start!

Noooo Millie is all mine, she's all curled up fast asleep on my lap at the moment looking very cute!

Yes definitely should meet up, be good to have someone who knows what they're doing!!
 
Hedwards said:
Yeah, will definitely be bringing a photographer come general helper if/when I do start!

Noooo Millie is all mine, she's all curled up fast asleep on my lap at the moment looking very cute!

Yes definitely should meet up, be good to have someone who knows what they're doing!!
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Well I wouldn't go that far lol, we're definitely one of those "great dog, shame about the handler" teams :D

Jacks are very good at the very cute aren't they
 
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