Hiya

Can anyone explain what happens on an agility competition day and what you have to do? What time do you have to be there? What rules are there in the showground? What facilities do they usually have, ie toilets, burger bars etc? Do you have to get into a queue for your class? Can you walk around the showground with your dog?

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Mummy to 7 pets: 2 rabbits, 3 rats, 1 dog, 1 cat

Right- well generally speaking...

The comp organisers should send you the running order and tell you what class you are in etc prior to the comp.This comes on a little card which you'll need to keep and bring along with you (if at an agility aid organised show). They should also tell you where to park and send directions to the venue.

Generally speaking it's a good idea to get there early- find a good parking space in the shade where is nice and cool so that you can leave your dog in the car for a moment if necesary with some water etc...
I like to get there at the start of the show and watch some other classes and the handlers, their handling techniques etc...
Then walk the dog around and get them used to the environment, give them a chance to stretch their legs. Sometimes there will be an exercise area for the dogs or somewhere nearby where you can walk them if necessary.

When it is time to walk the course, get a friend to hold your dog or pop him/her in the car for a moment, whilst you walk the course and work out where you need to be, how you need to direct the dog etc... It is advisable that you walk the course at least 3 times. You could even get a friend from your agility club to walk it with you and give you some handling tips.
When they announce your class, you need to have your dog ready on a lead with you, bring your card and join the queue or go up to the ring steward. No toys or treats are allowed in the ring. Although many have a toy attached to the end of their lead so that they can play tuggy with the dog after their round. Present your card to the steward and tell them what number you are. When it is your turn the steward will direct you on and give you a bucket to put your dog's lead in. Some people prefer to walk their dog up to the start offlead to get them focussed whilst others prefer to set the dog up at the start and chuck the lead in the bucket then. Totally up to you and what you feel comfortable with.
The steward or judge will then say "ok *name* when you are ready" or simular and you run the course.
Once you have completed the course you need to collect your dogs lead etc...

Rules of the showground:
Obviously these vary from competition to competition but stuff like:

Picking up dog poo/litter
Not disturbing others/ any livestock
No harsh handling methods

One thing some competitions say is to not play with squeaky toys by the ring has this can distract the dog that is working in that ring.

Yes you can walk around the show ground with your dog. It's probably advisable to do so onlead though.

Facilities- most have portable toilets (the types you see at festivals), burger/ food vans/stalls and lots of doggy stalls, selling human agility equipment (fleeces/agility shoes etc...), agility equipment (jumps,tunnels etc), dog leads, collars, toys, coats etc... Sometimes local rescues may have stalls to fundraise.

Hope I've covered everything you asked

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Dogs leave paw prints on your heart

thank you. that sounds fab.

would you recommend me going to a show before competing and should I take ollie as NFC?

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Mummy to 7 pets: 2 rabbits, 3 rats, 1 dog, 1 cat

lemmsy - great post

our first show is 21st nov - i wouldnt enter a show NFC tbh as you would kick yourself if your dog did realyl well lol!

even if you mess up - so what??

i know. i'd hate to do one when he's not ready. i feel a bit silly asking the trainers whether he's ready or not, cos he's only started agility training in March, and he can't do contact equipment confidently. he's good at jumps and tunnels. what is the class called that just does jumps and tunnels? what classes are for complete beginners?

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Mummy to 7 pets: 2 rabbits, 3 rats, 1 dog, 1 cat

mils been at classes for 8 weeks lol!

we trained at home from 12 months but only jumps and weaves...

the only thing we really struggle with is the see-saw....

just give it ago! nothing to loose - as long a syou can laugh at yourself/dog if it all goes t*ts up then do it!!

ask your trainers too... thats what theya re there for - help/advise and learn off them


ETA - just do jumping classes then - they have no contacts in...

we have entered both jumping and agility classes but tbh if shes not confident on the seesaw by then shes not doing the aiglity classes(she can do dog walk/a frame confidently)

do jumping classes have weaves? what's steeplechase and helter skelter? what's nursery and casual?

PS thanks so much for your help.

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Mummy to 7 pets: 2 rabbits, 3 rats, 1 dog, 1 cat

Definitely go along so you can get a feel for it, if you tag along with someone who already competes you will find it very beneficial.
Regarding NFC, KC shows don`t allow NFC runs in that context so you would`nt be able to go along and just enter, your dog has to be registered, measured, a minimum age of 18 months to compete, and entries for KC shows are all done in advance of the actual show. Some have pay on the day classes but the dog still has to be registered etc. NFC in the KC agility sense means filling in an entry form stating NFC as in not competing at the show.

Independents are different however, many allow entry on the day, and are very relaxed in atmosphere, there are some current Winter Leagues which you would be able to go to and to enter on the day including Nursery classes for dogs which are new to competition/recovering from injury so doing lower heights/allow use of silent toys in the ring etc.

Re walking dogs around the venue, apart from designated exercise areas all dogs must be on lead, and it`s not advisable to keep your dog with you the whole time as it will be very tiring for them, they need to be able to physically and mentally rest during a show, most shows start Ring walking at around 8am [ and dogs are not allowed in the ring while you are walking it ].

Schedules have all relevant rules for each show and venue so have a look at a few to give you the idea

This will probably help

Guide to Your First Agility Show • Introduction • Agility Addicts

thats my other problem lol! mine hasnt been measured so having to do it on the day!!!


is there anyway i can get her done before???


yeah i think they have weaves in jumping classes
(im going on the basis of assuming they do)


im not sure how to descrbe the other classes but google might be your ffriend on that one as its been a few years since i competed!!!

Usually yes, I can count on one hand the number of Jumping classes I`ve run in over the years without weaves in them.

KC don`t do Nursery or Casual, you will only get them at independents mores the pity, [ Casual itself is pretty new, it`s an extension from Nursery more or less ], but here you go, the general info on the class types

UK Agility


Helter Skelter is`nt mentioned there but it`s basically a spiral/circular type course, generally they are fast and flowing