Dawn and Chipmunk with the three Gold medals she won at IFCS 2025

Top national and international competitor, Dawn Weaver, built the new FAB show venue with agility dogs in mind, a place where their physical safety and mental welfare would be the main priority. Over the last few years, she has noticed how many dogs are allowed to lunge or stare menacingly at those running in the ring and believes the atmosphere at many shows is toxic. When creating her new venue, her aim was to build a permanent location where dogs would feel safe and competitors could relax and enjoy their runs. Dawn talks about the things she took into consideration when designing Freeways Meadow.

Freeways Meadow came into being when Tim Merry (the man who does all the maintenance and grass cutting for the shows), found a beautiful 19-acre spot for the new venue.

I’m very blessed to know the simply amazing Tim. While I designed the layout, he prepared a grass mix specifically with agility in mind. Originally the field had been ploughed for crops. Tim did all the hard work, levelling, seeding and putting the stock fencing and water supply in.

These are the problems that dogs are currently having to face at the majority of agility shows.

• Walking through the camping areas
  Trying to find a safe route to the rings can be a nightmare. I once had a dog completely shut down at agility because of dogs lunging and barking at him from camping gardens. If your dog reacts in this way, then there are plenty of solid fencing options available.
   

• Whilst queuing
  Too many people are unaware that their dog is pressuring others, either by barking or being too familiar with the dog in front or behind. Just be considerate and ensure there is enough space between your dog and any other. It isn't difficult!
   

• Competing in the ring
  The dogs shouldn't have to worry about other dogs staring and lunging at them whilst they are trying to listen to their handler and tackle complex obstacles. Judges could really help with this by not putting obstacles, particularly the weaves, very close to the ring ropes or going straight towards them. Dogs really dislike going towards pressure created by other dogs and people, so why do we demand this of them?
   

• The Finish Line
  The dog should always have a clear space to finish. This is one of my biggest pet hates. Why put the toy bucket behind the scrime tent where multiple people and other dogs are milling? It ends up as a free for all which is completely unnecessary.
  
  At FAB, we have a protected finish line with the lead/ toy bucket inside it. Dogs then leave the ring under control on their lead instead of darting here and there, looking for their reward and coming into close contact with other dogs unnecessarily.
  
  Dogs need the consistency of reward placement and safety which we provide at FAB.
   

• Walking around the rings
  There are a number of people who walk their dogs around the rings on long leads, way out in front of them. There is simply not enough space for everyone to do this and being considerate to other dogs approaching costs nothing.
  
  At FAB, there is plenty of space around the rings (see photos above). Putting the rings together and blocking visibility means there are no narrow walkways. Solid stock fencing is also in place with fencing that can be drawn across the wide entrance and exit for added safety. We have a 2m back-from-the-ring rule in place which nowadays rarely needs enforcing as people have become so used to it. This is how it should be at all shows.
  
  The rings are deliberately sited so that nobody is too far away from them whether day parking or camping.