What agility org. do you compete through?

[happyhound]

I started taking lessons about 4-5 months ago and just started to get the itch to compete when the dogs and I are ready. Ideally I'd like to start out somewhere that offers simple, idiot-proof courses

. I've checked out AKC/USDAA/NADAC but it doesn't seem like any of the websites offer sample courses.

I also have a preference right now for USDAA and NADAC so the mutt dawg can go, too.

So... what organization do you compete through and why?

 

[Dekka]

AAC which is the canadian version of USDAA. I like it cause it is really technical and of all the venues, the most challenging (USDAA is the hardest one in the states) CPE and DOCNA are open too all dogs too. CPE is supposed to be pretty easy.

 

[Beanie]

I think most of the trials in this area are AKC, so that's probably what I'll end up doing.

 

[tessa_s212]

NADAC-friendly, fast, fun Love the games! But not too many.

CPE-starting levels are very easy and great for inexperienced dogs, however, I"m not a fan of

and UKC- my slowest dog likes to do agility with me, but can't make times in other venues

 

[BostonBanker]

Whatever is closest .

I've done two CPE trials, and agree it is pretty basic in the early levels. Probably a nice one to start with to get your confidence up, and they do allow mutts. I found myself getting pretty bored by the courses last weekend.

I loved the USDAA trial I did, and will probably focus on that venue next year. The games are fun, people seem to take it a bit more seriously than CPE, and it was just a better atmosphere to me.

I have a NADAC entry that has been sitting here on the computer for over a month; it is close by and run by the club I'm in, so I feel I should go, but...eh. Most of the games don't interest me much (is there a 12-step program for Snooker junkies?), the contact obstacles worry me (no rungs), and it seems they skip half the obstacles. I know our club has been considering not running NADAC anymore because they screw around with the rules so often and the trial never fills. I'll probably end up sending in the entry and doing a couple of classes only.

AKC won't let me play in their sandbox , and there is no UKC around us; I kind of wish there was, since her breed is actually UKC accepted. It would be fun to see some of the different breeds!

 

[SisMorphine]

We will be doing CPE since Athena can't compete in AKC or UKC due to her breed not being recognized by either. Plus there are a lot of CPE competitions in this area and it seems to be the most preferred of many of my co-workers who compete in agility (working at an agility-based training facility there are quite a few ).

 

[adojrts]

I compete in AAC, most of my students also run there, but I have two students that are going to start in CPE............ one for the handlers sake not the dog's, they are more than trained and can make time, but its the owner that isn't very confident. The other dog/handler team needs a very easy start for their first trial/s, that is for the dogs sake, he was non confident and I don't want to overface him. I would expect they will move to AAC quick enough. The second dog was messed up from a Police dog trainer that now teaches Agility............wonderful, never been trained for agility, never competed in it but now trains people and their dogs for it............the handles end up knowing NOTHING or little to nothing and the dogs don't know anything either!!! But because they have been corrected on the agility field they end up shut down and non confident, dragged up and over equipment, lured to do equipment, corrected and then ALLOWED to do equipment on their own during play time, good grief. It's amazing how much damage can be done in such a short period of time (6 wks). Took us 5 months to fix it. Ok I am ranking again. Done

 

[agilityretrievers]

I have done AKC, USDAA, NADAC/ASCA and CPE. Right now we're doing entirely AKC to get my older dog's MACH. I like the challenge of AKC courses, I think AKC's jump heights are reasonable, I like that their rules stay basically the same (unlike NADAC), and it's the most common organization around here.

USDAA has the hardest courses in the first level (mostly because they have 12 weave poles) and is also more athletically demanding. The jump heights are higher for larger dogs, small dogs of certain heights probably have to jump higher due to different cutoffs, and the A-frame is higher for big dogs. Also at least around here it's a more serious competitive environment than any others.

NADAC and CPE have the simplest courses in the first level, since NADAC courses are really obsessive about safety, and CPE doesn't have teeter or weaves in level 1 (NADAC doesn't have teeter at all anymore). They also have lower jump heights than AKC or USDAA, depending on dog's height the jump height will either be the same or lower.

 

[happyhound]

Thanks for all the great info.

Right now I think I am leaning towards NADAC as there are quite a few events near me. Also, do dogs under 2 years need to be officially measured at each event?

 

[happyhound]

Also, does anyone know of a REALLY active agility forum? I have a couple bookmarked but they aren't really active..

Feel free to PM me links if it isn't appropriate to list them here.

 

[Dekka]

LOL if you find one, let me know.....