Getting Started in Agility

Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 12:10:13 -0700 (site updated Oct 11, 2005)
From: Holly Newman
Subject: Getting Started in Agility

When I first started training in agility and became interested in competing, I had a very hard time getting the information I needed to move forward. My first instructors either didn't compete often, or competed with AKC, which didn't help me at all. I needed to know about NADAC and USDAA. Because I'm an Internet junkie with a high bandwidth connection, I was able to hack my way around and gradually accumulate the information I needed. I found Bay Team, Dogpatch, my new trainer (through several e-mails and referrals), and ultimately the agility e-mail list. But it took me way too long and it shouldn't have been that difficult.

Rather than just whine to myself I decided to address it, specifically for the benefit of my local trainers. I've written an agility competition primer that is designed to be handed out by trainers to their beginning handlers who ask the question "how do I start competing"? That is a complex question that involves lots of information, so I've compiled what I think is necessary to answer it. I've included a contact list for the organizations, links to Dogpatch and Agility Ability, SF Bay Area clubs (which of course can be modified for your region), a brief FAQ, a few general tips that I've come up with, and a glossary. All in one document. It doesn't get into great detail in any area - I've left that to the experts at Dogpatch and Agility Ability and numerous other sources I have found and included as links.

It's published on-line at http://www.agilepooch.com/dogstuff/agilityinfo.html . Please feel free to link to it, modify it for your regional needs (as long as I still get credit ;-), print it, and hand it out to beginning handlers that express interest. Most importantly, let me know if you have comments, questions, or suggestions. And after you read it, be sure to let me know if I left out a link that you think is relevent.