Clean Run - April 2012 - 53

The Grand Debut

When we add a new dog or puppy to our families, visions of our grand agility debut dance through our heads. The crowd gasping in awe at the incredible bond as your dog zooms through the course, weaving and jumping with ease. All contacts are hit clearly. Amazing focus and partnership. Certainly the hours of training behind that debut run are important, but what other factors do you need to consider? It turns out the actual debut trial site is very important for your agility partner’s first success as well. A number of exhibitors who either have up and coming new prospects or recently braved the waters with a new agility partner chimed in on important aspects of the perfect debut trial site.

THE PERFECT TRIAL SITE

Safety
Safety is at the top of all agility exhibitors lists. With a new partner or even an experienced teammate, safety should be first and foremost on everyone’s list. An important part of safety for a novice dog is a confined, totally fenced ring. Many, many dogs get the “zoomies” during their first set of trials. Having a ring that will keep your dog safely inside if the focus wavers is important. For an outside ring, the ideal is tight stock fence with squares small enough to confine a Papillon or Chihuahua and high enough to discourage a highjumping Border Collie. The fencing needs to go tight to the ground (some facilities even bury some wire at the bottom or put stone or cement to discourage digging). A small terrier mix can slip out of an amazingly small space. Standard obedience ring gating is not enough for a green dog. Small dogs can slip through the gating itself and bigger dogs can easily hop over it or knock it over. Simple two- or three-layer rope rings are inadequate for similar reasons. Snow fence (the orange plastic fence that is woven) can work fairly well, if it is pulled tight and fastened to the ground in multiple places. Many exhibitors choose indoor soccer facilities since the ring is enclosed with solid walls on three sides. Remember that one side is fairly open though, and that is where other dogs and people will be congregated. Double ring gating or a combination of snow fence and obedience ring gating can be helpful. Some clubs will cover the open obedience ring gating with tarps to reduce the visual stimulation and provide an apparently solid barrier. If this is your first agility dog, ask your instructor and other exhibitors about the fencing at trial sites. You can also search online for photos.

Footing
Footing is another safety factor. If you aren’t the most nimble or surefooted of people, you want to be sure the footing is safe for you as well as your novice dog. Flat rubber matting or artificial turf such as indoor soccer facilities have is often the footing of choice for handlers. Some of those surfaces can be slippery but most are quite good. Try to avoid outdoor trials with rings known for dips or uneven running surfaces. A good grass or dirt surface is normal for your dog and generally easy on your joints too. Your dog can dig in a bit when turning on those natural sur53

By Deb Eldredge

April 12

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Clean Run - April 2012

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