Pet Peeves

In the Ring

Eating while walking a ring or queuing is bad enough, but smoking! So inconsiderate and dangerous to others.
Anon

Clear rounds not being announced at the end of places, and then when queried told to ' take one from the box over there.' Very disheartening for folks just starting to compete or if you have a beginner dog and first clear round. Really doesn't take long to call out ring numbers... always used to be done .GSD lover

People standing and chatting in the middle of a course, whilst hundreds of people are trying to walk it and get their line right for the run. Or is a game plan to put everyone off ! Helen Stevenson

I wish judges would continue to watch an agility run even after they have eliminated a dog especially when there is still other contact equipment to do. Lesley Holland

Editor's Note

Lest we be accused of being 'negative,' I would like to say that most of the pet peeves here are about manners and being considerate to others.

Agility is a great sport. It is not filled with 'moanin' Minnies.'

We can make it better if we just become a little more aware of other people and their dogs at shows, in training or in the real world.

My real moan is people who let their dogs wander round in queues on a huge long lead, sniffing other dogs, tying peoples legs up, and generally getting in the way, and they are totally unaware of what their dog is doing. I have had to tell people in queues that their dog has had a poo, for example. Not all dogs enjoy having a dog in their face when they are just about to run! Please, everyone, be aware of your dogs at all times while queuing, so that you know exactly what they are doing!
Jan Couzens

People playing with squeaky toys in the queue, no bucket for the leads to be hidden in and people that eat food close to the rings. Jan Smith

The only thing I really dislike about agility is the moaning! Dangerous situations fair enough but there is always somebody moaning about something, if you're not happy with a course don't run it, if you're not happy about the queue don't join it, don't get me wrong i do moan, then i kick myself up the arse for making everybody listen and cheer up! Its all too serious at times! Gemma Walchester

People who play tug with their dog in the queue with total disregard for the dogs in front and behind who end up getting extremely distracted. Why should they leave the queue, as they are not the ones causing the problem. If you need to play tug, please please please stand aside! Glenda Cutler

Handlers who warm up/wind up dogs with tuggies or toys in the queue which not only upsets other dogs it certainly upsets other handlers. Also persistent dogs barking in the queue and the handlers who do nothing to stop them... grrrrr. Val Phillips-Pollock Valgrays Rescue

No practice equipment! Why isn't that allowed in the camping area if it's contained within your own pitch? Even at horse shows there is a practice fence Emma Sadler

Shows that don't look after outside helpers even when they have rushed running their own dogs and given up most of their day to help! Allison Harris

Queuing. I don't know any other sport where you have to queue before an athletic performance. Sarah Hedderly

People who tell their dogs off when things go wrong in the ring when normally it's handler error! Heather Gibson

I think it's a shame when judges have to pick up dropped poles themselves Ruth Fox

Judges too up themselves to pick a pole up when its right next to them. Joanne Orrell

Trainers who encourage newbie handlers to enter shows for the experience when the dog is not doing all the equipment. No one says a dog has to be letter perfect, but I feel it is disrespectful to judges who have given up their time and have a 'right' to expect that all the dogs in the ring are up to a certain standard. Anon

Competitors who are not ready to go onto the line at a show because they've been talking. They can have al the time in the world to set up but there's no excuse for holding the class up. Anon

People who do not say thank you to the judge when they leave the ring. Nell Pegg

Classes being too large - splitting them down further to a maximum of 200 dogs - unless people like getting 40th in a class of 450. Placing aside it would make it easier to have three classes set out over the day (same course) and less people all trying to get in the queue as they are in the later or earlier classes. Sue Sheen

When you volunteer for ring party and the ring manager is rude/unhelpful. I know this stops a lot of people volunteering especially newbies! Jackie Blade

Presentations that happen with no advance warning so even if you've got a place you can't get there in time. Lindy Margach

Not receiving a trophy for 1st place because there is less than six dogs running. Sarah Jayne Kettle

People getting humpy when the caller won't let them queue because they are right at the end of the last class of the day that's just started and they want to go home. Ian Balchin

People asking me questions when I'm scriming - or, worse still, standing in front of me! especially if they get the hump when I tell them to move! Emma Sadler

Abandoning running orders and allowing the queues to get too long. Katarina Ullsten

I definitely second the "people who don't praise their dogs after the run." No reward, just clip the lead on and off they go... Can live with most other things. Bonny Quick

I think handlers should only be allowed to run one dog in a class, if you run 2 or even 3 dogs round the same course it gives the handler an unfair advantage." - too right! You can collect 3 E's instead of 1! Jan Stubbs

When I'm doing leads and stand there ready to take it and someone just flings it randomly behind them. Very small niggle as me and my dogs love this sport Sian Townsend

When asked to judge - especially a Sunday - ring not even broken down and no help to set course - one reason I do not judge agility [only jumping] now as this little old lady cannot move agility equipment around now. Perhaps that is major! Enid G Buckland-Evers

Watching poor old/overweight dogs walk around a course, clearly not enjoying it whilst you are waiting to run your dog Rachel Chatfield

Shows that don't provide protection / cover for scrimers or wet weather writers when it rains. Anon

Presentations at shows. If the organisers would like more attendance by prize winners, why don’t they announce the winners over the tannoy and then give a reasonable amount of time (say ten minutes) for people to get there. If, like me, you have a steady dog whom may well get a clear but is not likely to win or even be placed, you may not be expecting a rosette and if - like last Saturday at Worcester - you do, you are not expecting it and, therefore, have no time to get to the marquee. Sue Gibson

People who put up gazebos and fencing in day parking, making it hard for others to get out. If you want to set up camp, pay for it. Ken Whittington

Love UKA shows where you can train in the ring. Hate that they hold up the rest of the class and the queuing. Can't all the NFC go at the end? Alex Collins

People who do not wear appropriate footwear in training or at shows. They are an accident waiting to happen. Anon

Show organisers who do not provide drinks and refreshments - not even a dry biscuit or hard sweet - to people working on the ring who have given up their time - and often missed their runs - to help. Anon

When it has been pouring rain for weeks, not having wet covers for booking in sheets Jackey Slater

People eating at the side of the rings when you're trying to run a food-obsessed Labrador!! Helen Knight

Shows that run out of rosettes. When you are just starting out in agility every rosette is important and treasured (well ours are) and going home empty handed when you have managed that elusive clear round is really disappointing. Joan Clarke

I can't believe that I am the first person to say... generators! Mandy Dumont

Callers who stand between the queue and ring ropes so you have to pick your way through a line of handlers and dogs to sign in. Anon

Running my dog with the hangover from hell after a night with friends in my caravan! Emma Sadler

People who are camping or parked ring side who let their dogs fly out barking at dogs that are competing in the ring. Debbie Coles

Shows where there are too many of the same type of trade stand. It must be hard for those who pay for a stand to have 3-4 competitors. Two similar stands is more than enough choice (and helps keep competitive pricing Tony J Woodhams

People who drive too fast in the camping and parking areas - 1st gear only please, please, please! People who are rude to my kids, especially when my kids are doing ring party! Callers who have no common sense! Sally Walton

People who talk to me at all before 8.30 and my first cup of coffee... omg does that make me Mr Grumpy? John Leslie

people asking me questions when I'm scriming - or worse still standing in front of me- especially if they get the hump when I ask them to move! Emma Sadler

People who think it's okay to camp in the day parking for free when every one else pays! Hayley WIlson

Folks on the exercise area who are in their own world and totally unaware of their / their dog's action. Jay McCartan

People who don't want to help, but then complain that young people shouldn't be allowed to book in, do leads etc. Without them the rings wouldn't be running! Judith Moore

Camping spaces being reserved, then the space never being used at all during the duration of the show Andy Chard

People who insist on breaking the rules by letting 3 or more dogs off their leads at one time in exercise areas because they think that particular rule does not apply to them. Craig Woodhead

At Club / Training

People who forget these are our pet dogs and once upon a time agility was a fun way to enjoy time with your dog! Jackie Motts

Ever notice at club how many young people are picking up poles while the older handlers are putting away the contact equipment. Anon

Don't ya just hate people who sit in their cars while the equipment is being put out and then miraculously appear when their class is about to begin. Anon

People who talk all the time and then don't know what to do when it is their turn to run. Anon

Just because your dog doesn't bark or get excited doesn't mean it's wrong or the dog or handler is bad. Because you don't play tuggy doesn't mean it is wrong for someone else to surely? Not everyone got a puppy from a few weeks old for the sole purpose of agility, Many like me got a rescue and tried agilty and suddenly found themselves competing. so there are going to be dogs with a few issues, which will take time to iron out. and reading negatives comments on here could put people off. As long as people try to be considerate of others then I think that is all that matters! surely the main thing is that the dog has a good time!! (and is safe) I know mine does. Jo Asher

Despite reading the rule book, my record book and every bit of information I can, I still don't know - or can't find written down - what I have to do to progress up the grades. Lyn Storey

People who do not wear appropriate footwear in training or at shows. They are an accident waiting to happen. Anon

People who jump into a discussion on Facebook or the Forum without thinking first - and often not know the facts. Anon

Isn't it about time that a height between medium and large was introduced for those that are just past medium but can run under the belly of most large dogs. Sue Sheen

Little niggles...

At Club / Training