Your First Trial  with (ALOHa)

Prepared by Karen Birdsong

1.  First, you need to register your dog with the National venue (NADAC, USDAA, AKC) fostering the trial.  (For NADAC go to WWW.NADAC.com )  Do not wait until the last minute as it takes time for these organizations to open a computer file for your dog and get their ID number back to you.  This registration is for life, so save yourself some stress and register your dog today.  
   All organizations, except NADAC, require you to also be a member.
2. Go on line to the National Organization calendar section and see when and where the next trials will be in your area. Contact the hosting club and request a Premium (entry form).  Complete the premium and return it early to the trial secretary.  In some areas of the country, trials fill the first day they are open for entry. 

Kennel, x-pen, favorite bed, pad, blankets .  

• DO NOT plan on tying your dog or holding it the entire time.  Trials need helpers and are always glad to show you how.  (Believe it or not, this is one of the best ways to learn how to better handle your dogs.)
• No dogs in the ring during walk-throughs

Shade

Tarps for ground and/or rain protection

Water bowl and water

Treats, toys

Poop bags

Slip lead (show collar/leash)

Bug spray

Copy of Premium and confirmation

Chair and Shade

Human food and drink (not all trials have food available)

Suntan lotion

GOOD running shoes

Pen, pencil, highlighter, note paper, sketch paper

Clips for your kennel (to hang running order, ribbons, etc.)

Sun hat

Video camera

Relax-did you forget anything?

TAKE YOUR DOG!!!!!!!!!!         

Day of trial:

Arrive early as there are lots to do before 1st class.

Pick your kenneling site.

What is good for your dog and you?  A quiet place, one close to the ring, bathrooms?

Remember the10 foot rule - no food or toys within 10 ft of the ring.  This concept is typically applied to set ups as a courtesy to the dog working in the ring.  A 15 ft minimum is strongly suggested.  Ask the host if you are unsure where you can set up.

Take your confirmation, venue's registration card and dog to the desk.

Pick up  the running order (catalog, and course maps (when available)

Have dog measured.

Review the catalog to see the order in which the classes and dogs will run.

• see if you are listed correctly-right classes, jump heights, registration number, etc.?
• Highlight your dog's name everywhere it shows in the catalog for quick reference later.
• Quickly review courses.  You can review each in detail later. 

Your Class:

In advance of your class:

• Review your course map to get the general flow of the course.  (Individual copies of courses are a courtesy and will not always be available.)  Clubs should post a set of courses for your review ( and tracing).   Just remember:  a course may change as the Judge deems necessary. 
• Review the running order again. Who are your “marker” dogs?  (Typically, these are the dogs running in the 5th and 4th spot before you.)
• Potty & poop your dog.
• Be ring side, without dog, BEFORE the announcement for briefing /walk through

(When the judge goes over general rules and may provide special information about the course)

Depth of each will differ with judge and level. (You are responsible for knowing the rules before you enter the trial!)

*ASK QUESTIONS

Again ask questions if you need to.

Multiple work through:  ( suggested sequence)

1st walk through

• See where each succeeding obstacle (number) is

2nd

• Walk for flow from one obstacle to the next. 
• Stop to think about the difficult transition / challenge areas.

3rd - 

• Run entire course again  to check your flow

4th - 

• Run it as if you have your dog with you.  
• Have you missed something that speed changes?  If so, repeat the process.  
• Stand back (Out of the way) and picture the course in your mind.
• See the obstacles, your dog and the commands you are giving.

5th -

• Once again run as if you have your dog beside you.

There is no standard amount of time a Judge will grant for walk through, but as a rule the above sequence is about all the time you will have.

Know where the Timer will be sitting as they will tell you when to start. 

Check- in with Gate Steward either as you enter the ring to walk the course or as you leave.  This tells them you are still planning on entering that class. 

Gamblers is a little different.  

• Before walk through, select a couple of possible courses.  This is often done from reviewing the course maps prior to the walk through.
• Run each possibility for flow and time.  ( Use of stopwatch is OK ONLY in walk through)  Some advanced handlers know they can do X number of obstacles in a certain amount of time, thus do not use stopwatches during the walk through.  
• Settle on a course.  Run it a couple of times as if your dog is with you.  Be sure to check your flow to and through the gamble.  
• Know where the timer will be sitting during the class as that is the direction from which the  whistle will be coming form to let you know the "gamble" time has begun.  
• Check-in with Gate steward either as you enter to walk the course or as you leave the ring.  This tells them you are still planning on entering that class.  

Watch other runs if possible

Potty dog, warm up his muscles & yours

Put on slip collar - TAKE OFF regular collar.  (In NADAC and USDAA, dogs run naked.)

Be near Gate about 4 dogs before your run and let the gat steward know you are there.

Be Ready to run.  Dogs before you may not show or may leave the ring early.  

NO food or treats within 10 ft of the ring, be sure pockets are empty.

Taking dog in on leash is OK. Take off leash & COLLAR.  Drop it or give it to the Leash Runner.  Don't hold up the trial waiting for the Leash Runner to take the leash.  The Leash runner will take the leash and put it near the finish line.  

Watch timer.  The Timer, not the Judge will tell you when to start. 

Early Exit

You may always exit the ring before completing your run.  (It is better to leave than fight or reinforce inappropriate behavior.)  Simply turn to the Judge and say, "Thank You" or "May I please be excused?".  Then quickly collect your dog and leave by the closest exit; under the ring ropes if necessary.  Your dog MUST be under control, so either heel them to you or call for your leash if you need help.  

Finish Run

Be sure BOTH you and your dog crosses the finish line quickly.

PRAISE YOUR DOG- no matter how great the run was or not.

Your dog MUST ALWAYS be under control BEFORE leaving the ring.  Dogs leaving the ring not under control may be disqualified.  Sending the dog off to Daddy or your kennel is not considered under control.  This is a serious safety issue for both your dog and others.  

Eventually, your score will be posted. 

Qualifying runs earn legs towards titles. 

Record your run for future knowledge.  Class, time , faults, etc.  If you get a ribbon, write on the back the date, location and Judge.  This is especially necessary for qualifying ribbons.  For NADAC, write if it is a 5 point or 10 point "Q".  (Occasionally an error is made in the national venue's records, thus keeping our own accurate records is very important. 

REMEMBER, ribbons and qualifying run mean nothing to your dog.  Being with you and pleasing you is what is important to him/her. 

PRAISE YOUR DOG!!!

And remember why we do this......

FOR THE FUN OF IT!!!

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