How many venues do you run?

[Toffee's Mom]

We're doing NADAC and possibly CKC (although the CKC entry fees are extremely expensive, so I haven't made up my mind yet). I would have loved to do USDAA or AAC, but the jump heights don't work for my dog.

I am only doing AAC, since I don't have any other options here; I had to special Mr Toffee, so he doesn't have to jump 22 inches and only needs to jump 16 now.... he is barely 18 inches in height... has a long body but is short strided, lol
But I like AAC, seems pretty competitive without being unattainable, lol

I would love to try CPE someday, it seems more forgiving lol

 

[k9kreationz]

We're doing NADAC and possibly CKC (although the CKC entry fees are extremely expensive, so I haven't made up my mind yet). I would have loved to do USDAA or AAC, but the jump heights don't work for my dog.

Just curious why you don't run Performance?

I have the same issue with Koji, he would need to jump 22", not going to happen. Obviously, when I do USDAA, I run him in Performance 16".

 

[k9kreationz]

so CPE and TDAA- closest to us are in Florida- and not in Pensacola either...
USDAA - also in FL but also some closer. while Dixie would get to jump 16", Cran would not unless entered in the lower division. doubt we'll go there anytime soon

so guess we'll just stick to NADAC and AKC for now- maybe go to an ASCA trial someday.....

I think Cran and Koji are the same height. Makes me want a smaller Sheltie so I can run 16" USDAA w/o being in Performance. LOL.

So, from what you've seen already, have you noticed any difference between NADAC/AKC? Maybe how you handle things, how the dogs handle things, etc?

 

[k9kreationz]

I don't really need to answer, Cheryl, because you already know my answer!

I only compete in USDAA. Would I be opposed to trying another venue? Depends. I feel that USDAA and AKC are the two most competitive venues, so I would be willing to try AKC if I had the money or the time. But, right now I only trial maybe once a month, so I'd rather stick with the venue in which I've already advanced.

Also, I love USDAA! I am definitely biased--but I figure "if it ain't broke..."!

Yes yes. We know. Your dogs are USDAA snobs
I totally understand though. That's why I finally chose one venue to go forth in.....money/time. I'm only doing other things because of the "training in the ring" rule.

 

[k9kreationz]

I do AKC mostly and some USDAA and NADAC a handful of tomes.I prefer AKC first and USDAA second.

Have you noticed any difference in how your dogs perform btwn the venues? Knowing your two, probably not.

 

[k9kreationz]

Err.....we don't run in a venue YET....BUT we are planning on doing CPE to start, then focus mainly on AKC.

I am considering USDAA mainly for the games, but we will have to run preferred due to an oversized sheltie (Riley is right about 17 inches).

I figure to try them all then see which are going to work out the best for us competitive-wise and also do some as 'fun'. I wish we saw NADAC around CT more often, but we are mainly AKC, USDAA, & CPE. Riley is FAST so he would LOVE the more open courses (I would hate them-short legs!!).

Definitely give each one a try. It's good to check out the different venues, even if you only do it once. I think Riley would like USDAA. Do the Performance (unless you want to WIN, then stay away, cuz we compete against BC's too in Perf). The one thing I like about USDAA, they have challenges in them which require me and Koji to slow down (I get to catch my breath here or catch up).

I believe CPE is pretty open too. Not sure about upper level challenges as I'm in L2. LOL.

Can't wait to see where you and Riley go.

 

[k9kreationz]

AKC is my main venue, and with the number of dogs I run, I only hAve the money to be competitive in one venue. If it weren't an issue, USDAA would be my other venue of choice. My trainer feels I and my dogs would like the courses and do well there.
I also do NADAC every once in a while as there are 4-5 trials held within 30 minutes of my house, and it's a good, cheap, laid back way to get my green dogs ring experience. I have also brought along Athena, Kai, and Aurora just because if I'm going to be there running, I might as well throw them all in.
I feel my dogs have been equally competitive in both AKC and NADAC. My dogs are very competitive around here in AKC. We have absolutely cleaned up at the nadac trials... Mine are often the fastest dogs at the trials. The only thing is I do not think we would be as successful in elite chances simply because a motion based system does not typically lend itself to the challenges presented in elite chances in nadac. Even with distance training, which can work with the use of motion, it tends to require a good deal of directionals (right, left), and butt handling, which is asking the dog to do things that aren't supported by what your body is asking of the dog.

Oh yeah. NADACs Elite Chances is definitely not something for a motion based handling system. I mean, I do see people moving, dogs watching, but there's a lot of times when you are looking at the dogs butt giving directions.

I can only imagine how fast your dogs are to beat all the Aussie's and BCs. But then, if you have some distance and your dogs love to run ahead, it's a great venue. Koji never learned to run ahead, so I have to run my butt off.

Do you have to change your handling a bit to accommodate AKC versus NADAC? I noticed I have to because the obstacles are so much further in NADAC, which means I need to support things longer, go out further (sometimes), or use a "go on" command. On the opposite end, I have more distance because Koji has more speed and momentum.

 

[k9kreationz]

I am only doing AAC, since I don't have any other options here; I had to special Mr Toffee, so he doesn't have to jump 22 inches and only needs to jump 16 now.... he is barely 18 inches in height... has a long body but is short strided, lol
But I like AAC, seems pretty competitive without being unattainable, lol

I would love to try CPE someday, it seems more forgiving lol

I've been reading more about AAC. i'll have to pay more attention to what you guys are doing. Seems pretty interesting. I think Koji is kinda short strided too, but long. Only when I get speed, does he start to open up his stride.

I wish we could get all these tall Shelties together. Let's see, Toffee, Riley, Cran, Koji....they're all around 18". Neat. Of course, we'll put the jump heights to 16".

IMHO, CPE is the most forgiving. I started in NADAC and although there are no refusals, you have to be 100% clean. With CPE at least, you have refusals and you can drop a bar and Q (in the lower levels). I think it's more geared to "positive reinforcement" for the handler to continue because they get Qs (or clicks). Maybe a trial will come near you one day, just so you can try it out.

 

[Calliesmom]

I think Cran and Koji are the same height. Makes me want a smaller Sheltie so I can run 16" USDAA w/o being in Performance. LOL.

So, from what you've seen already, have you noticed any difference between NADAC/AKC? Maybe how you handle things, how the dogs handle things, etc?

well, we are pretty green still so we are learning lots about handling, etc. especially since I'm running two dogs there are lots of things that I have to think about- and there I wish they were in different height classes- 12 and 16 would be perfect.
when I walk a course, I have to think about this is what we need to worry about for Cran and well, Dixie- need to think about other things. I get confused easily

Our first NADAC trial, I was so excited - Dixie had a clean Jumpers run- just one little jump where she turned the wrong way and I had to call her back. that put us 1.x something over course time. I was crushed that we didn't Q- and then I was told that course times are usually tighter than AKC.

Her first AKC trial- she did manage a Q in Jumpers. we've had some meltdowns since then- she has lost the flow and gone off course. I'm hoping that we can get past that at our next trial

I'd say that I enjoy both and will probably keep competing in both.

 

[HopeShelties]

No, I dont handle differently between nadac and akc. To be honest, for this area, particularly with my 12" dogs I have better distance skills and dogs who will work ahead of me better than most. It lends itself to them being able to go out in nadac and succeed on the wider open courses. If I were like most of the people with dogs the size of mine I would probably struggle more.
In this area, Nadac isn't as competitive as it probably is in other parts of the country. Most of the nadac dogs around here aren't overly fast and a large portion of them train on their own instead of working with a trainer. Athena Ember Aurora and Kai have regularly come away with the fastest times of the day.