IN THE ZONE AGILITY
Sept 21 2011
NADAC Beginners Agility Level 1 - 2 Rounds
26450 Kankakee St Manhattan IL
NADAC Beginners Agility Program
Purpose of Beginners Agility Tests
The purpose of a NADAC Beginners Agility Test is to demonstrate the ability of the dog and its handler to perform many of the basic tests to prepare them for a future agility career. The dog should be under control at all times and show a willingness to work with the handler. Handlers should always conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike fashion.
Eligibility for Entry
All healthy, trained dogs over twelve (12) months of age are eligible to compete in NADAC Beginners Agility test. There is no leeway in the dog’s age, even by one day; the dog MUST be a minimum of twelve months old on the day of the test in which the dog is to compete.
Dogs must be registered with NADAC prior to competing in a NADAC Beginners Agility test. To register your dog online, please complete the form and press the "submit" button. Items marked with an * must be entered. You will receive a confirmation page with your new registration number, and you will have 30 days to send payment to NADAC. http://www.nadac.com/afrm/dogregfrm.asp
Bitches in heat, lame, or blind dogs are ineligible for entry, as is any dog with a deformity that may cause a judge to not be able to reasonably assess the dog’s ability to function and perform agility obstacles safely, and in a manner that is in the best interest, health and welfare of the dog.
Any dog that demonstrates aggression towards any person or any dog, whether inside or outside the ring, must be excused from the Beginners Agility test.
Any dog that the tester feels is not in enough control to perform all obstacles in a safe manner will be excused from the test.
All NADAC Beginners Agility tests shall be open to purebred and mixed breed dogs.
Beginners Agility - Level One
Written segment - Level One – entry form
1.The entrant must write their dog’s registration number in a correct format. (tester must verify that the number format is correct)
2.Entrant must indicate how tall their dog is and in which height group their dog would belong into. The dog need not be measured at this level and the height can be estimated. (tester should be able to guesstimate the probable height within a couple inches)
3.The entrant must list the breed of their dog or indicate mixed breed. (tester must not accept any “made up” breeds and a mixed breed should not be listed by the “mix” of breeds, such as BC/Aussie. It should just say “mix breed” or All American, etc but no breed should be listed unless it is a purebred.
4.The entrant must write in a manner that is legible for the tester to read clearly.
Exercises – Level 1
All exercises will be timed and all exercises will be allowed one retry if the first attempt is failed. The entrant must pass all tests to receive a qualifying score. The handler may have treats in a closed bag or pouch or pack, but they may not withdraw treats to give the dog until all tests are completed.
1.Start line – This exercise is to demonstrate the handler’s basic off lead control at the start line. There shall be a box at the start that can be a minimum of 8’ by 8’ to a maximum of 10’ by 10’. Once the tester has said “good luck” the handler shall remove the lead and the handler and dog shall stay in box for 5 seconds after leash is removed. If the dog leaves the box, the handler may call the dog back into the box and retry the exercise. If the handler must leave the box to catch the dog, the exercise is failed. The handler has 60 seconds to complete this exercise. This time includes the time for a retry on the exercise. The dog may move around the box during the 5 second count, as long as they do not leave the box area. The box may be marked by PVC poles, or survey tape or any other such item that clearly delineates the parameters of the box area.
2.In and Out gates – This exercise shall show the handler’s ability to guide their dog through a three sided box using commands to move the dog out away from the handler and back in towards the handler. The handler may choose which direction they go, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Once they have started the exercise, they must maintain their original direction of clockwise or counter-clockwise. The handler must stay inside the box while the dog moves away from and towards the handler that is inside the box. The handler may be close to the gates during the exercise. At the first gate, the handler shall indicate to the dog to go to the outside of the gate while the handler remains to the inside. (order shall be handler-gate-dog). After the dog has passed the length of the gate, the handler shall call the dog to the inside of the box and the dog shall pass the second gate on the inside of the box (order shall be handler-dog-gate). The dog should not come to the side of the handler that puts the handler closer to the gate than the dog. The dog shall pass closest to the gate on the second gate. At the third gate, the handler shall again cue the dog to pass to the outside of the third gate, as they did at gate #1. (order shall be handler-gate-dog). The handler shall remain on the inside of the three sided box at all times. If the handler must leave the box to get their dog back, then the exercise is failed. If the dog misses one of the gates the handler may restart the exercise. The dog and handler have 90 seconds to complete this exercise, including one restart.
3.Two gate Figure Eight – In this exercise the handler will demonstrate the handlers ability to work the dog off both sides. The handler shall start in the middle between two gates, with the dog on the handler’s left side. The handler shall send the dog around the gate on the right in a clockwise direction. As the dog completes the right side gate, the handler shall change sides so that the dog is now working off the right side of the handler. The handler shall send the dog off their right side around the left gate in a counter-clockwise direction. The handler shall do this exercise in one continuous motion. The team may have one restart if they fail to maintain the correct handling side. The handler and dog have 90 seconds to complete this exercise, including one restart.
4.A frame – With this exercise, the handler shall show the dog’s ability to safely go up and over the a-frame while having at least one paw in the contact zone. The dog may walk or trot. A frame set at a height of three feet or lower, depending on the construction of the a-frame. The handler may assist the dog by patting the a-frame or petting the dog to encourage them. The handler will have 60 seconds to complete the a-frame, including one restart.
5.Hoops – two hoops in a row 10-12’ apart. In this exercise, the handler will demonstrate their ability to send their dog in a forward direction to two obstacles. There shall be two hoops in a straight line and the handler shall send their dogs through those two hoops in a continuous forward motion. If the dog goes around a hoop, they can restart the exercise from the beginning one time. The handler may move parallel to the dog as they direct the dog through the two hoops. If the dog leaves the plane of the width of the hoops as they progress from hoop #1 to hoop #2, they may restart the exercise one time. The handler and dog have 60 seconds to complete the test, including one restart.
6.Tunnel and Recall – In this exercise, the handler shall show the dog’s ability to go through a tunnel and be recalled back to the handler. The handler must send their dog through the tunnel and then as the dog exits the tunnel they shall call the dog towards them. If the dog continues away from the handler after the handler has called the dog, then the tester may fail the team if the tester feels that the dog is refusing to return to the handler upon command. The handler may step to the side of the tunnel while the dog is within the tunnel or travel ½ way down the length of the tunnel if desired to keep the dog from going back through the tunnel in the opposite direction. If the dog does not immediately return to the handler or returns via the tunnel, the handler may restart the exercise. If the tester feels that the dog is not under control, then the tester might not allow a restart of the exercise. The handler and dog are allowed 90 seconds to complete the test, including one restart.
7.Walk with distraction – 15’ walk on leash w/ distraction. In this exercise the handler shall demonstrate that they have control of their dog with a nearby distraction of another person and their dog. The “distracter” and their dog are to be inside an ex-pen area or other secured area. The distraction person may have a chair to sit in if desired. The distraction person will interact quietly with their dog. Working dog must not approach distraction dog. The dog performing the test should not pull their handler on a leash towards the person and dog secured in the pen. The handler shall walk their dog approximately 15’ past the distraction person and their dog. If the working dog tightens the leash towards the distractions, they may restart the exercise one time, unless the tester feels that the dog is not under control while near the distraction. The handler and dog have 90 second to complete the exercise, including one restart. The 15’ area shall be delineated by cones in the four corners. The leash walker shall hand the leash to the handler at the start of the exercise. The dog being tested should not jump on the leash walker, nor growl or act aggressive or overly friendly in any way towards the leash walker.
Rules
All exercises are timed. The beginning of the time allowed will be indicated by the tester saying “good luck”. The handler may have food and/or non-audible toys on them during the tests, although they may not be used during the tests.
Handlers may have up to 45 seconds between exercises to settle their dogs or praise them. The dogs should still remain under control of the handler and not run away or wander away sniffing between exercises.
The tester may end the test and not allow for any additional exercises to be performed if they feel that the dog is not under sufficient control of the handler.
All Beginners Agility tests shall start with test #1. The tests numbered #2-#5 can be in any order, as set by the designated tester. The BA test must end with tests #6 and #7, in that order.
Titles
Once a dog has three qualifying rounds in Level 1 Beginners Agility, they will receive their BA-1 title. If two testers are available, then a club may allow for two test rounds per dog on the same day. If more than one test is being allowed on the same day, then each round must have a different tester. Each tester shall approve the course setup and may change the order of tests #2-#5.
If only one round is allowed per BA trial, then the club can use the same tester at each trial.Rules
All exercises are timed. The beginning of the time allowed will be indicated by the tester saying “good luck”. The handler may have food and/or non-audible toys on them during the tests, although they may not be used during the tests.
Handlers may have up to 45 seconds between exercises to settle their dogs or praise them. The dogs should still remain under control of the handler and not run away or wander away sniffing between exercises.
The tester may end the test and not allow for any additional exercises to be performed if they feel that the dog is not under sufficient control of the handler.
All Beginners Agility tests shall start with test #1. The tests numbered #2-#5 can be in any order, as set by the designated tester. The BA test must end with tests #6 and #7, in that order.
Titles
Once a dog has three qualifying rounds in Level 1 Beginners Agility, they will receive their BA-1 title. If two testers are available, then a club may allow for two test rounds per dog on the same day. If more than one test is being allowed on the same day, then each round must have a different tester. Each tester shall approve the course setup and may change the order of tests #2-#5.
If only one round is allowed per BA trial, then the club can use the same tester at each trial.
Here is a link of my mom and I doing the tests with our baby dogs-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ1bceBO3d8
Sample test setup for Beginners Agility – Level 1
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