Clean Run Magazine - August 2007 - 7

Everything you always wanted to know about agility but were to ask afraid By Brenna Fender ? What are the differences between AKC and USDAA for refusals, particularly on the weave poles? Also, what are the up-contact rules in each organization? Do you have a question about agility rules or anything else agility related? Mail your questions to Brenna Fender: brennafender@gmail.com Brenna collects the questions and forwards them to us so we never see the names. The AKC’s refusal rules can be found in Chapter 5, Section 4 of the Regulations for Agility Trials: “It is considered a refusal when a dog starts toward an obstacle and ceases forward motion, or starts toward an obstacle and turns back on his path. However, the dog shall not be faulted for a refusal on the approach if, in the judge’s opinion, the dog has not seen the obstacle.” Dogs are subject to a refusal call until all four paws are on or in an obstacle. Refusals can also be earned when a dog exits a contact obstacle before beginning its descent. About the weaves, the regulations say, “A refusal has occurred at each incorrect entry to weave poles and each time a pole is missed while weaving.” The AKC rules also describe a “run-out,” which occurs when a dog passes the plane of the next correct obstacle. The runout plane is the point at which a dog can no longer attempt or complete an obstacle without having to turn back. Run-outs and refusals are scored the same (5 points off) and are signaled the same way (with a closed fist). In Novice classes, dogs may have no more than two refusals and/or runouts to qualify, and no faults are called for refusals or runouts during the weave pole performance (but the weaves must be completed). Only one refusal or run-out is allowed in the Open class, and none are allowed in Excellent A or B. In the FAST class, refusals and run-outs are only assessed during the Send Bonus. After the first send-bonus obstacle is completed, any refusal or run-out earned eliminates the opportunity to earn the bonus. In the International Sweepstakes Class (ISC), refusals and run-outs are treated similarly, except that missing a weave pole after entering correctly can only be faulted once (but the poles must be correctly completed). Three refusals and/or run-outs in ISC result in elimination. The AKC judges all up contacts except the A-frame (although the A-frame up contact is judged in ISC). Missing a dogwalk or teeter up contact results in an elimination in the regular classes and any up contacts missed in ISC will earn 5-point faults. USDAA’s rules about refusals and run-outs first appear in Chapter 3, Section 3.5 of the Official Rules & Regulations of the United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. A refusal is defined as a significant hesitation in front of an obstacle, turning back—reversing the flow—away from an obstacle after a focused approach in the normal course order, and a run-out past the obstacle that should be performed next. Run-outs occur when a dog passes the front plane of an obstacle. Exceptions occur for the table (the back edge is the run-out line); for the contact obstacles, when the dog runs past the front plane of the obstacle but successfully mounts the obstacle from the side, without significant hesitation or turning back; and for the weaves. The second pole of the weaves is the start of the run-out line to the right side of the weave poles and the first pole is the start to the left side. The run-out line generally runs perpendicular to the course flow as it approaches the weaves. • Three refusals and/or run-outs will result in elimination in Masters classes. • In Advanced classes, refusals are only counted on the contact obstacles. It takes three refusals on the same contact obstacle to earn an elimination. • In Starters, refusals are not faulted, except that if a dog commits a refusal when all four paws are on the contact obstacle the dog must not reattempt the obstacle. The weave poles are not penalized for faults incurred, but failure to correct missed poles is treated the same as an omitted obstacle. USDAA judges the up and down contact zones on each contact obstacle. Failure to touch any of them results in a standard 5fault penalty. For complete rules and regulations, visit www.AKC.org and www.USDAA.com. D NOTE: While it is not permissible to make copies of Clean Run magazine, we wish to give readers permission to make copies of this particular column for personal use. This means you are free to share copies of this column with students, friends, or club members. The information may also be included in not-for-proﬁt newsletters as long as credit is given to Clean Run. August 07 | Clean Run 7

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Clean Run Magazine - August 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - August 2007