Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the ADAA Chair ... April 2006

As mentioned in my March update, the Board of Directors is about to release the Provisional Agility Regulations (proposed to become effective 1 July 2006). These will be released to members in the next week or so and members will have 7 days to pass constructive comments and feedback back to the Board . To give you a taste for what is coming up, the new Regulations have:

• Lowered the A-Frame height for the International Programme Maxi and Midi classes.
• Significantly expanded the Regular Programme including Individual Games and restructured the events (eg Regular-Intermediate) and Titles (eg Regular-SAAD, Regular-MAAD) in line with the International Programme.
• Added a new Jump height 150 mm for Regular Toy dogs and lowered the A-Frame height for the Regular Programme Mini and Toy classes.
• Significantly expanded the Junior Programme, including Junior Handler Owned & Trained recognition.
• Introduced a Combined Programme in which dogs on the International Programme Register and Regular Programme Register participate together, encompassing Elementary and Starters (four height classes) as well as Team Games (two height classes).
• Introduced a new Beginner title requiring only Elementary Certificates, which shall not be mandatory to earn the dog’s AAD Title.
• Introduced a Jumping Title within both the International and Regular Programmes.
• Split the Open Class into Open A (all dogs) and Open B (only dogs with their AAD title and above) to help Clubs deal with high numbers of entries.
• Restructured the Regulations to make them easier to read.
• Introduced Not-For-Competition entries (for some classes) that will allow handlers to use toys in the ring.
• Banned the use of food in the ring so that subsequent dogs are not disadvantaged (does not include food in a Handler’s pocket).
• Clarified when Dogs may remain in the Ring (Elimination) or must immediately leave the Ring (Dismissal).

ADAA has not changed its fee structure since it started 10 years ago, despite significantly rising insurance and other costs. The Board has decided in order to undertake projects to provide additional services to its members, the cost of some ADAA services will be increased . Cost changes are set out below and do not affect existing membership until they are due for renewal:

• All Membership subscriptions will increase from $10.00 to $15.00 for three years (effective from 1 April 2006).
• Subscription to written mail outs will cost $30-00 per annum (now separate from membership subscription) (effective from 1 April 2006).
• Changes to membership (eg additional family members, or deleting family members) will cost $10.00 per person per change (there is currently no charge for this service) (effective from 1 April 2006).
• Additional dog registrations and/or changes will increase from $5.00 to $10.00 (effective from 1 July 2006).
• Applications for titles with Rosette will increase from $20.00 to $25.00 (effective from 1 July 2006).
• Applications for titles without Rosette will increase from $10.00 to $15.00 (effective from 1 July 2006).
• Postage on title with rosette will increase from $3.00 to $5.00 (effective from 1 July 2006).
• Competition entries will increase from 50c to $1.00 for in-time notification and from $1.00 to $1.50 for late notification (ie schedules submitted less than 3 months prior to the competition and/or judges agreements received by ADAA less than 1 month prior to the competition) (effective from 1 July 2006).

June is Training Camp month, on the same weekend in both Queensland and NSW. A truly great programme is in the pipeline suitable for beginners through to advanced handlers/trainers so schedule the date in your diary, so you can come learn and have fun with your dog. The Training Camp forms will be prepared soon, and become available on the website and first available mail-out. It caters for Dogs and Handlers of all levels; so do not feel that as a beginner you will not be sufficiently advanced, or that as a more advanced handler you will have nothing to learn . That is the beauty of Dog Agility Training; I don’t think there is a top to reach; there are always new skills to learn with your dog. So we hope to have a good turn out at both camps.

ADAA’s competitions have earned a reputation for being very supportive to those participating. There are many who go out of their way to help the newer competitors, those who have been struggling and even those who need a little moral support . Often this support crosses club boundaries and isn’t restricted to how to handle a sequence in a ring, it may be recognising achievements (from a handling element through to titles), encouragement and positive reinforcement, holding a dog while a handler walks a course, being ringside when needed. Gosh, it’s a whole myriad of things that are done. What a wonderful environment to test your Agility skills. I have noticed, at a number of competitions in recent months, that there is an increasing trend of comments ranging from snide remarks about others as people are walking the course or sitting on the sidelines, to loud derogatory comments as handlers are in the ring and at presentations. Please understand that this is totally unacceptable and brings yourself plus possibly your club and ADAA into poor light. Our benchmark for behaviour has always been what would be acceptable in front of a large crowd of the general public.

Regularly at Competitions, either when I’m judging or even just spectating, I hear handlers chastise their dog for dropping a bar or baulking a piece of equipment. I can’t tell you how distressed this makes me feel. On most occasions I can see something that the handler has done that may have caused the problem or perhaps the dog is obviously gathering before the hurdles. I feel quite relieved that I have never done that to my German Shepherd Asko as he was recently diagnosed with and had surgery to treat OCD (osteochronditis dissecans) of his stifle joint. It is very likely that this will mean the end of his Agility career. So before you blame your dog for getting something wrong , how about having another look at your training and making sure your dog has the physical skills/ability and training skills to meet your expectations.

The Brisbane Pet & Animal Expo saw ADAA members again put on some excellent shows for the public over three days. Thanks to those who spent three days in at the show – Wendy Blakeston, Peter Blakeston, Karen Coggan, Karen Manton, Jan Best and Anita Pengilly . Special thanks to Wendy Blakeston and Karen Coggan for organising all of the demonstration ring activities and Peter Blakeston, Stuart Robertson and Steve Drinkwater for taking all of the equipment in. Thanks to all of the Clubs that agreed to support the competition to the general public offered at the Expo (for a free course with their dog). We received entries from Caboolture to the Gold Coast, and I’m aware that some of these people have already joined their local club, which is great news!

May you enjoy your training with your dog and achieve your goals.

Cathy Slot
ADAA Chair

[Top]