Clean Run - February 2014 - 7

Everything you
always wanted to know
about agility

By Brenna Fender

I like to compete in AKC and USDAA agility, but I'm having mobility
problems. Can I compete while using a wheelchair, cane, walker, or
something similar?
Yes, you can. The American Kennel Club's official statement is
that they follow all American Disabilities Act regulations and
requirements. You can contact AKC Director of Agility Carrie
DeYoung at cxd2@akc.org if you have more questions.

Do you have a question about agility
rules or anything else agility related?
Mail your questions to Brenna Fender:
brennafender@gmail.com

A representative for the United States Dog Agility Association
says that use of a mobility device is fine, with the caveat that it
can't be used to threaten or intimidate a dog.

Brenna collects the questions and forwards
them to us so we never see the names.

What happens if my dog will not stand still for measuring? Will I still be
allowed to run at an agility trial, perhaps For Exhibition Only, without
the chance to place or earn a qualifying score?
It's important to teach your dog to stand properly for measuring.
It's almost like another obstacle, and although you only have to
encounter it a few times, it is still an important part of the game.
Each agility organization has its own take on this aspect of the
measuring process:
American Kennel Club: Director of Agility Carrie DeYoung
says, "In AKC, your dog must be able to be measured or he
may not run at all."
North American Dog Agility Association: NADAC representative Becky Woodruff says, "If the trial secretary is willing,
the dog could be moved to the Skilled Category, as dogs are
not required to be measured when entered in Skilled. The dog
would have to jump 4" lower than his estimated height requires.
Providing the judge is available to measure later in the day
when the dog may be settled and more willing to stand, it could
be an option as well."
Teacup Dog Agility Association: TDAA representative Bud
Houston says, "We use wickets to verify that the dog is competing
within the correct height. That means that even a squirmy dog can
be quickly validated for his jump height without being precise. If
a dog is very close to the cut-off measurement, we ask only that
the judge try to be very patient with the dog and exercise 'judgment' to ascertain what height the dog should properly jump."
United Kennel Club: UKC representative Sydney Suwannarat
says, "If the dog is unable to be measured, the judge should
excuse the dog from competition as being out of control. If

the judge does not excuse the dog, the exhibitor may make the
choice of which division to run the dog in at the trial, but if it is
found to be in the wrong division at a later date, the dog's scores
earned in the wrong division will be taken away. There is no
FEO at any UKC licensed event."
United States Dog Agility Association: USDAA President Kenneth Tatsch says, "A handler is obligated to have their dog measured unless they are in the top height class. If a dog is unable
to be measured accurately, the judge will make a determination
on the day for the dog. When a measurement might otherwise
be border line, a judge is obliged to measure the dog into the
higher height class, absent their ability to perform a proper
measurement. It is the handler's obligation to see that their dog
is trained to stand still."
The good news is that most judges are patient with the measuring process and having a dog be completely unmeasurable is
a rare occurrence. The head of one agility organization even
stated that this "never happens."

Do judges take into account the pitch of the dogwalk and A-frame when
they calculate yards per second? If they are just using the footprint of
those obstacles isn't this incorrect? We know the A-frame is two planks,
each 9' long. If we lay them flat, that means they are a length of 18', but
the judge is wheeling a footprint of 14'. Is this taken into account when
the course yards and times are calculated or is it all relative to the path?
All agility representatives who responded had the same basic
answer: the standard course time or yards per second that your
dog is expected to run has been calculated to include the obstacles as they are set up on the course. So no additional calculation for actual length is necessary. D

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Clean Run - February 2014

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