Conversation
starters...
 It
is said that Agility people may be better at navigating around a course than
expressing themselves in writing but, thanks to social media, most everybody now
has the chance to share their ideas and observations. This is somewhere where
you can express your thoughts and perhaps start a conversation about something
you feel strongly about. So put fingers to keyboard and share your thoughts.
Send them to
Agilitynet.
2025
My Mindset and Attitude towards Agility has
Shifted
By Ruth Hawkesford
I used to get worried, feel nervous, and
think I could never do my dogs justice. I put myself under huge pressure so then
when things went wrong, I use to say to myself 'I told you so!'
Am I like this in my corporate day job,
presenting to Senior Leadership Teams, 10s-100s of people - absolutely not!
Q. So why do I put myself under
pressure in an agility ring?
A. It's because I don’t want to fail the things I love the most - my dogs!
Q. Do they know they’ve gone wrong?
A.
Probably not unless I make a big deal of it!
Q. Does it matter?
A. In the grand scheme of things - no.
But what does matter is that it must always
be fun! It’s a short time in the ring, many hours of practice, travelling,
fitness, money etc. but I’m in that ring with my partner, my dog, the one who's
doing it for me. My dog is always a winner, whether eliminated or faulted.
We ran in the pouring rain! But my face says
it all, and Dorothy’s tail never stopped…
What Else Could Go Wrong
By Brenda Vanner
Today was possibly one
of those times when I should have rolled over and stayed in bed. The alarm
didn't wake me up so didn't get up until 5.25am when I had planned leave at
5.45am for a two hour drive to Newbury Showground.
It rained heavily most
of the way plus my sat nav took me off the M25 as it said the road was closed
between M23 and Reigate - which it wasn't!
Stood waiting to do my
first run and realised I'd put my pull-on trousers on back to front.
We got eliminated on the
first run though Bess did some lovely work. Two more eliminations followed.
Things weren't going too badly in the final run. By this time it was pouring
with rain. The Bess decided to go out of the ring on the third to last jump to
retrieve her toy which I had asked the lady doing leads to put near the end so
she wouldn't run off looking for it. In total, I had four eliminations.
We then set off home in
the pouring rain. Apart from the weather, it was a good run until we reached
just past the M23 turn off when several police cars dashed in front and stopped
the traffic including a car further on. Then more police arrived going past us
jumped out with guns and rifles pointing them at the car in front and pulling
those in the car out and handcuffing them. Once they'd moved the car to the side
of the road, we were allowed to move on.
Was I ever glad to get
home. That was until a neighbour knocked on the door to tell me that both my
front car windows were wide open and the rain was pouring into the car so I'd
have a nice wet seat for tomorrow's drive.
Luckily the next day, I
was at the MAD show which is just 20 minutes from home. It was a nice, small
show with lots of friends and acquaintances to talk to. Mind you, everyone asked
if I'd got my trousers on the right way today!
Standing by the Whistle
Reflections on Judging Dog Agility
By Lisa Jordan
In the
world of dog agility, passion runs high—for competitors, spectators, and yes,
for us judges, too. Recently, two of my judging decisions have been challenged
by a competitors, and while I fully support the right to question and seek
clarity, the experience left me reflecting more deeply on the role we judges
play in this sport we all care so deeply about.
Let me start by saying this...
Judging is not a role taken lightly. Like all agility judges, I am
required to pass a formal exam and demonstrate competency in course design and
rule interpretation. These standards exist to uphold fairness and ensure
consistency across competitions. I have proudly met those requirements—not once,
but continuously through years of dedication and experience.
I've been
involved in the dog agility community since 1987. That's nearly four decades of
walking courses, building teamwork with my own dogs, celebrating victories,
learning from defeats, and watching our sport evolve. It's a history that has
deepened my respect for everyone involved, and it's a big part of why I became a
judge. Judging is my way of giving back to the community that has given me so
much.
Yet,
despite that background, I recently found myself made to feel inadequate by a
couple of competitor's challenges.
Not because
they questioned a decision. That is their right, but because of the way it was
delivered - not as a dialogue, but as a dismissal of my experience and
integrity.
Constructive feedback is always welcome. We grow through open, respectful
discussion. But when disagreement turns personal, it risks eroding the trust and
mutual respect that make our sport special. Judges are not infallible, but we
are trained, committed and doing our best to serve the sport with fairness and
consistency. It is not just about calling faults -it is about stewarding the
spirit of competition.
To all competitors
Please know that when we judge, we are not just enforcing rules. We
are doing so from a place of passion, experience, and care. You have every right
to ask questions, to understand decisions and to seek clarification, but let's
do it in a spirit of shared respect.
Agility is
at its best when it's a partnership between handler and dog, between competitor
and judge and among all of us who love this sport. Let's continue to work
together to keep that spirit alive.
I would
also like to let you all know, the rules can be read online on the Kennel Club
site.
Or purchase the book.
Unfenced Rings
By Jenny Barr
This might be unpopular
but is meant kindly.
If your dog can't run in
an unfenced ring, please take some time to listen to what your dog is telling
you.
-
Do they need more
obstacle focus?
-
Do they need higher
value rewards?
-
If it is a
temperament issue, do you need extra help from a behaviourist?
-
Do they just need
more time and experience in a simulated show environment in training?
None of these things
mean you have failed, but they might mean you need to work harder. But that's
fine because training your dog is fun and hugely rewarding.
Sometimes, for some dogs
like my boy Storm, a show environment is just too much. He is dog aggressive and
fearful so he can play at agility at home but will always be safely on a lead at
shows. Again, that's fine. I haven't 'failed,' but I am listening to my dog.
Leave Your Ego at Home
Shared by Sue Culmer
from a 2019 post
Your dog gets absolutely
nothing out of being competitive for you. Not a darn thing. Of course, dogs are
bred for specific jobs, or they're bred to be athletic to a certain degree.
They have no idea how
much money is added to the pot. They have no idea that this is a qualifier. They
have no idea that it is the Worlds.
And DESPITE us...
DESPITE our nerves, our flaws, our incorrect cues, our huge emotions, they get
the job done to their very best ability. Even when we fail them by letting our
emotions get in the way, they come back and they try again. For us. Let that
sink in. If only we could all be so understanding.
To think of an animal
that is forgiving and flexible enough to put up with the repetition of practice,
the intense nerves of the handler, the stress of hauling and they will still
meet you at the end of their lead ready to go is mind blowing.
If you haven't done so
lately. Thank your dog.
If you're successful,
thank the dogs that put you there and made you. Thank the dogs that gave
everything they had for you simply because you ASKED them to.
If you're still on the
journey to success, thank the dogs that made you fall in love with your sport
and that have helped give you the confidence to want to learn more and be
better.
We can never stop
learning as dog people and by continuing our education. Every dog in our future
will be better off.
Next time you head to
the club, leave your ego at the door and thank your dog!
A Word of Encouragement
By Ant Clarke
After he selection of both the KC and YKC
Agility Team GB has been concluded, Anthony Clarke posted this message on
Agilitynet FB to all those who tried out for the team.
After watching the YKC partnerships at
Crufts and again at the selection weekend, I have no doubt that those who
didn't make the team this time have the potential to come back stronger next
year. Now is the time to reflect, set goals and plan for the rest of the
season to take that next step towards 2026.
Feeling disappointed, upset, or even
frustrated is completely normal. Let that drive your motivation. As a
management team, we look forward to seeing you return next year with fire in
your belly, ready to fight for your place.
For those who have made the team, the
journey starts now. Over the coming months, analysis, development, and
continual reflection will be key as you prepare for the championships.
Being selected is an incredible
achievement, but standing on a podium for your country is an indescribable
feeling. Your preparation, training, and mindset from this point forward
will shape that moment. As a coach, I'm excited to be part of your journey
and support you along the way.
Let's get to work!
Family Time Is Important
By Chris Kerton
I wasn't going to make
an 'announcement' about it, but I've had a couple of people message to ask, so I
thought I might as well.
We have decided to
withdraw from trying out for Team GB this year as we wanted to have a year
without that 'responsibility.'
To be a part of Team GB
is an honour, and not something I took lightly, but it meant having to make
certain sacrifices to ensure we were as ready as we could possibly be to step on
that start line. This year we want to spend more time doing things with Osh
while he still wants to hang around with me and Aimee.
It's not just the
competitions that takes time and focus. It's all the prep that goes with it.
Fitness, jump skills, surface prep, course running etc. I couldn't do all that I
needed to AND still do all the things we have planned with Osh.
Appreciate the
understanding from the management about our decision.
We will still be at the
agility shows as normal, but will be busy in-between, starting with going skiing
in a weeks time.
Massive good luck to all
my team members from last year.
I'll be watching and
cheering you all on.
Photo: Willow Photography
The Need for Speed
By Pamela Stokes
Are we becoming obsessive over the need for
speed?
I know the fastest dog wins - subject to
faults, of course - but it seems everything else is making way for asking them
to run faster and faster.
There have been many discussions about dog
walk safety - is it too high? too narrow?
But the push for increasing speed is having
an impact too. There have been discussions about course times suggesting the
matrix is too generous and some comments indicating that judges are setting
almost impossibly low course times, which is demoralising at best.
The upcoming Agility Liaison Council meeting will consider
whether dogs need to 'prove their ability to complete a course within a set
time' before entering competition. Speed can be fun but what happened to the
agile element of agility? Balance? Coordination? These are fun, too!
Rubblish!
By Ian Holman
I'd like to make a plea to all show
organisers and attendees for 2025 and beyond.
Our sport is resource hungry. We do a lot of
mileage getting to venues. We generate a lot of waste.
Please can our shows be more like any other
festival and have separate bins for waste, recyclables and dog mess.
It doesn't require much effort and the cost
should be minimal. There really is no excuse for the amount we send to landfill
by the skipload in this day and age.
We can and should do better.
More Thinking Aloud Allowed
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