Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the ADAA Chair ... December 07 / January 08

Please accept my, and the Board’s, best wishes for the festive season. We trust that you, and your family (both two and four-legged), will be safe and enjoy at least a few days of rest and relaxation before the new year’s events start. I hope the man with the red hat and coat, towed along by his reindeer, dropped in and delivered some well deserved gifts.

ADAA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 1 December 2007. I would like to offer my thanks to the outgoing and incoming Board members. Steve Drinkwater, Natalie Kirkwood and Loyd Barker completed their three year term at the AGM. Thanks to them for their contribution over the past three years. Thanks also to Alison Muddle for completing her term after filling a Casual Vacancy earlier this year. The following appointments as Directors were made to the Board at the meeting – Jeanette Durante, Natalie Kirkwood, Alison Muddle and Cathy Slot. In addition, Steve Drinkwater was appointed as Director Judging. To all Board Members I would like to offer my thanks for assistance given to ADAA to date as well as for their future voluntary assistance. In addition, I would like to thank all of ADAA’s Judges for their significant contribution during the past twelve months.

While thanking volunteers, I would like to thank the Sydney members who provided assistance with the NSW Pet Expo. From all accounts, it was a great weekend with lots of fun had by all.

If you are sitting at home over the break and wondering what to do, how about completing ADAA’s Stewards Training Programme (PDF download - 915kb) and submitting that? There is no cost to complete the course and you will be amazed at how much you already know, and what you don’t!! no matter how experienced you are. You don’t need to have any experience to do the course and it will make a huge difference to you next time you are at a competition and help out at the scribe’s table, everything will be much less daunting than you thought.

If you are contemplating transferring your dog between Programmes, please note that you need to complete a Dog Transfer Form (PDF download - 22kb) and have this accepted by ADAA (you will receive a revised registration number for your dog) before you enter events under that Programme.

The Board is concerned that it has received a number of reports of incidents from members and clubs regarding the behaviour of dogs at and around competitions. Members should note that all dogs must be kept under control at Competitions and associated camping areas. This means that dogs should not be allowed to interfere with other members, and/or their dog(s), whether that be taking the dog to toilet, exercising the dog, in the warm-up area, whilst spectating the event or at the conclusion of a Competition (during and/or after packing up). In addition, dogs should not be tied up without supervision unless you are confident that they pose no threat to people (including children) and/or dogs walking by. Incidents at Competitions should be reported to ADAA and members should note that they are also required to declare any incidents involving yourself and/or any dogs registered with ADAA that may affect ADAA, ADAA's insurance cover and/or your membership of ADAA as soon as possible after the incident.

The Board would like to congratulate members for taking on board the 8th Edition of the Regulations. It has been rewarding to see the growth within the Regular Programme (which has also encouraged Clubs to offer full schedules to these dogs on the Regular Programme) and the sportsmanship of members in helping each other develop their skills and move away from treating competitions as another training session but rather as a test of the level of training of their dog and their ability to maintain a connection in the ring.

Nevertheless there are a couple of items that have appeared a number of times on Competition Reports made Judges, so just to remind everyone:

Rewards may not be used within the Start Area or defined Ring (where there are three sides marked by rope or similar), this includes food and/or toys. Handlers may reward their dog in the line up before they reach the Start Area or defined Ring. Refer Regulation 19.1 (page 33). If you are not sure where the line-up is located and/or your placement in the line-up, check with the Call Steward. Try to have your dog ready at the first obstacle (ie collar off, and all of your pre-run warm-ups completed) as the preceding Dog is executing the last 4-5 obstacles of its run. Of course, this isn’t always possible, eg the Dog before doesn’t complete the whole course, or the first obstacle is in the (possible) pathway of the on-course dog, but if everyone does so the majority of the time it will help with the smooth flow of competitions.

Competitors may not deliberately train/repeat obstacles in the ring. This includes repeatedly renegotiating an obstacle or sequence of obstacles, lifting a dog onto equipment or physically holding a dog in the Contact Area, and/or using a Reward. However if a Course Fault is made on a specific obstacle, the Handler may direct the Dog to renegotiate the obstacle(s) a maximum of once without penalty of Dismissal (unless it is a Game that allows the repetition of obstacles). Refer to Regulation 18 (page 32).

The Board has approved relocation of the Grand Prix 2008 to Macksville Showgrounds as a consequence of feedback (especially regarding the ground condition) following this year’s Grand Prix. This is a decision that was not taken lightly and the Board really appreciates the support of Sue Selby and the Uralla Showground Trust, as well as local ADAA members, over the past seven years in building the event. It has certainly grown in popularity with more and more locals coming along each year to watch the events. The Board believes that Macksville provides many of the features of Uralla, with its small country town atmosphere, however the facilities are larger (including the presentation hall, ground size/condition and amenities) whilst maintaining the halfway distance between Brisbane and Sydney.

With the temperature increases please keep an eye on your dogs and watch for signs of heat stress – safety is the most important thing. This especially applies to exercise in association with eating and drinking, as well as not leaving your dog in a hot environment such as your motor vehicle.

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

Cathy Slot
ADAA Chair

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