Clean Run - July 2010 - 7

Everything you always wanted to know about agility
By Brenna Fender The course time and yardage are always posted for runs. How can I use that information when planning a run? Actually, course time and yardage aren’t posted in all agility venues for every class. Generally, that information is available to competitors if they would like to know, but only some organizations, like AKC, feature this information prominently before each class. In most agility organizations, the standard course time (SCT) is determined based on the yardage a dog is expected to travel on a given course. Each organization has a different formula for deciding the SCT; some factor in the height of the dogs competing in each class and how many yards per second they are expected to run at a particular level. Faults are assigned if a run takes longer than the SCT. In some classes, course time matters. In games like USDAA Gamblers, handlers design their own courses by creating an efficient path for their dogs while accumulating points. Teams gather points during a timed opening period; then a whistle blows, indicating the dog should begin the numbered distance portion of the course. The most successful competitors can walk a Gamblers course knowing how fast their dog will run. Then the handler can plan to be lined up for the distance portion when the opening period ends. For many handlers, it is important to know the course time under these circumstances. Most agility classes, particularly Standard and Jumpers, do not require this kind of strategizing, so course times and yardages are less valuable in the planning process. Andrea Dexter, an agility trainer and coach who owns AgilityFlix in Washington, says that she hasn’t ever used course time and yardage information in planning her runs. USDAA judge Emily Hurt and professional animal trainer Sassie Joiris both agree that course time information plays no role in their pre-run planning. Hurt says, “Nothing is going to change my handling strategy of ‘run fast, run clean, and have fun.’ If I do those three things, I’m vying for placements, not for standard course time.” There are people who do check and use the SCT information while planning runs. Some are handlers with dogs that often have trouble making the course time. If the SCT is particularly tight, those people might take handling risks designed to save time (but that can also result in a fault). Other handlers might take extra time holding contacts, for example, if the SCT is particularly generous.
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.

In agility’s past, there were times when trials were few and the desire to qualify during these limited opportunities was high. Handling decisions may have been more heavily influenced by SCT then. Since training has advanced, agility trials are more plentiful, and handlers understand more about how each run affects future performances, many competitors seem to make handling choices based on factors other than SCT. Even though many handlers no longer use course times and yardages to help plan their runs the information is still useful. Dexter explains: “I do use the yardage later on to calculate yards per second (YPS). That turns out to be useful information to me. Early on it was a pretty good marker of whether my handling was enabling my dog to move fluidly through the course. Because I paid attention to it, I began to be able to predict pretty accurately where we would end up. Then later, as we became more consistent in our communication/teamwork, if the YPS was not what I would have predicted, it became a marker for getting the dogs checked for any inflammation, soft-tissue injuries, or chiropractic adjustment and it has turned out to be a pretty good predictor of when the dogs need more supportive care.” In fact, many handlers say they study changes in YPS over time, both to evaluate their training programs and to catch early signs of illness or injury. For agility venues where points for some titles are awarded based on seconds under the SCT, handlers can calculate points earned after each run using the course time information provided. It’s important to keep your own accurate records to catch recording errors. So while course times and yardage may not play a large role in planning handler paths on most courses, this information is still important for many agility competitors. D

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Clean Run - July 2010

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