Clean Run - October 2012 - 7

Everything you always wanted to know about agility
By Brenna Fender

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At an AKC (American Kennel Club) trial, I saw a dog exit the ring after his run was over and go into the “chute” that was formed by the ring gating. The competitor called the dog back and got his leash on, but no fault was called. Why not?
Chapter 5, Section 6 of the AKC Regulations for Agility Trials explains mandatory excusals. It states: “The following faults call for mandatory excusal. The scribe sheet shall be marked ‘E’ and the dog and handler are excused from the ring.” Number 14 of the 15 total faults listed states that mandatory excusal is required for “any dog that does not enter or exit the ring on leash. On leash is defined as having the leash attached to the dog’s collar or harness, or in the case of a slip lead, having the noose completely around the dog’s neck.” The exit chute, which is an optional area that keeps competitors and spectators from getting too close to the dog that is exiting the ring, is not considered to be inside the ring itself. AKC director of agility Carrie DeYoung says, “At the end of the run the judge has to determine if the dog left the ring. Technically if the dog is in the chute the dog should be faulted.” But judges are human and so sometimes, as you have seen, handlers get a lucky break.
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 AKC and USDAA (United States Agility Dog Association) trials, what happens if, while running a course, a dog exits the ring by jumping over or going under the ring barrier and then returns immediately to continue working?
In AKC, technically this also falls under the rule stated above because the dog is not leaving the ring on leash under these circumstances. But, according to DeYoung, judges are allowed to use their discretion in this case. She says, “A dog that jumps over a ring barrier and then returns immediately is subject to an excusal. That is at the judge’s discretion and they will take into consideration why the dog left.” Does the course design encourage the dog to jump out of the ring (or go under the ring rope) because his momentum carries him that way? Is a piece of equipment sitting ringside, looking like it should be next? In the USDAA’s Official Rules & Regulations Section 3.3, there is a portion listing occurrences that should result in elimination and immediate dismissal from the ring. One of those occurrences is “A dog leaving the ring.” But like AKC, USDAA gives its judges an opportunity to use their discretion in this regard, according to USDAA president Kenneth Tatsch.

If a ring barrier allows a dog to run under it and the dog continues working in response to the handler’s commands, a judge may permit the dog to keep running. It must be clear that the dog immediately turns back into the ring and is continuously working for the handler. If the dog jumps a ring barrier, he is eliminated unless the ring barrier is such that the dog’s natural momentum leaves him no choice. In that rare case, the dog must be responsive to the handler demonstrating an immediate return to the ring. In all other cases, if the dog jumps the barrier, he is eliminated.

If a dog at an AKC trial goes through a puddle of water on the course or exits a wet chute and stops briefly to shake off, can this be called a refusal? My friend got called on that and it seems kind of sad because you can’t really teach a dog not to shake water off.
The AKC Regulations for Agility Trials explains refusals in Chapter 5, Section 4. It says, “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. A dog is not considered to be on or in an obstacle until they are on it or in it with all four paws, thus being subject to refusals until they are totally on or in an obstacle. Conversely a dog has not exited an obstacle until it has left the obstacle with all four paws.” A dog that stops to shake off when it meets all of the criteria will be faulted as earning a refusal, confirms DeYoung. D

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Clean Run - October 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - October 2012

Clean Run - October 2012
Contents
Editorializing: The Bandana System
Tip of the Month
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility
Backyard Dogs
Analyze This!
Exercises to Improve Handler Speed
Control Unleashed Solutions and Answers: A Sticky Situation
Agility Mind Gym: Riding the Wave
Building Blocks: Building a Perfect Walkthrough
False Turns: Sensational or Demotivational?
The Cruise Director: Solutions for the Dog That Is Too Social
Awesome Paws Drills
Early Takeoffs in Jumping: Update
Training with the Stars: Stuart Mah
Scratching the Surface: A Look at Natural Outdoor Agility Footing
Table Manners: Proofing the Table for Competition
Challenges for Rising Stars
Clean Run - October 2012 - Clean Run - October 2012
Clean Run - October 2012 - 2
Clean Run - October 2012 - Contents
Clean Run - October 2012 - 4
Clean Run - October 2012 - Editorializing: The Bandana System
Clean Run - October 2012 - Tip of the Month
Clean Run - October 2012 - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility
Clean Run - October 2012 - Backyard Dogs
Clean Run - October 2012 - 9
Clean Run - October 2012 - 10
Clean Run - October 2012 - Analyze This!
Clean Run - October 2012 - 12
Clean Run - October 2012 - 13
Clean Run - October 2012 - 14
Clean Run - October 2012 - 15
Clean Run - October 2012 - Exercises to Improve Handler Speed
Clean Run - October 2012 - 17
Clean Run - October 2012 - 18
Clean Run - October 2012 - Control Unleashed Solutions and Answers: A Sticky Situation
Clean Run - October 2012 - 20
Clean Run - October 2012 - Agility Mind Gym: Riding the Wave
Clean Run - October 2012 - 22
Clean Run - October 2012 - Building Blocks: Building a Perfect Walkthrough
Clean Run - October 2012 - 24
Clean Run - October 2012 - 25
Clean Run - October 2012 - 26
Clean Run - October 2012 - 27
Clean Run - October 2012 - False Turns: Sensational or Demotivational?
Clean Run - October 2012 - 29
Clean Run - October 2012 - 30
Clean Run - October 2012 - The Cruise Director: Solutions for the Dog That Is Too Social
Clean Run - October 2012 - 32
Clean Run - October 2012 - 33
Clean Run - October 2012 - 34
Clean Run - October 2012 - Awesome Paws Drills
Clean Run - October 2012 - 36
Clean Run - October 2012 - 37
Clean Run - October 2012 - 38
Clean Run - October 2012 - 39
Clean Run - October 2012 - 40
Clean Run - October 2012 - Early Takeoffs in Jumping: Update
Clean Run - October 2012 - 42
Clean Run - October 2012 - 43
Clean Run - October 2012 - Training with the Stars: Stuart Mah
Clean Run - October 2012 - 45
Clean Run - October 2012 - 46
Clean Run - October 2012 - 47
Clean Run - October 2012 - 48
Clean Run - October 2012 - Scratching the Surface: A Look at Natural Outdoor Agility Footing
Clean Run - October 2012 - 50
Clean Run - October 2012 - 51
Clean Run - October 2012 - 52
Clean Run - October 2012 - 53
Clean Run - October 2012 - 54
Clean Run - October 2012 - 55
Clean Run - October 2012 - Table Manners: Proofing the Table for Competition
Clean Run - October 2012 - 57
Clean Run - October 2012 - 58
Clean Run - October 2012 - 59
Clean Run - October 2012 - 60
Clean Run - October 2012 - 61
Clean Run - October 2012 - 62
Clean Run - October 2012 - Challenges for Rising Stars
Clean Run - October 2012 - 64
Clean Run - October 2012 - 65
Clean Run - October 2012 - 66
Clean Run - October 2012 - 67
Clean Run - October 2012 - 68
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