My first USDAA tournament

[corbinam]

If you are worried about this for pairs, the judges I've run under just want you to have the dog under control in the hand off area. When I'm getting ready for the hand off (I'm receiving the baton), I loop the lead around the front of his ruff and hold the two ends together so I can just drop the leash and go.

When I'm actually doing the hand off, I usually hold Edan by the scruff of the neck (lightly), or pick him up, until the baton is in my partner's hand then put the slip lead on correctly.

Good point about Pairs. I would even ask the judge if they care how you hold onto your dog before/after you run. I've heard some judges say they prefer you not to hold your dog by the neck, and I've heard others say that there's a 4-paw rule (all 4 paws have to be on the ground), and I've also had judges who allowed you to pick up your dog.

 

[corbinam]

wow, you will have 6 runs in only one day?!

we only got two runs (an agility course with contacts and a jumping without contacts) and you can't choose which runs you want to compete.

I think the average # for USDAA tournaments is 5 runs a day, though sometimes it can be 6.

I was just getting ready to sign up for a trial in March and saw that it has all the tournament qualifiers (DAM, Steeplechase, and GP) PLUS all the other events (Standard, Jumpers, Snooker, Gamblers and Pairs) but only in 2 days. I usually see all events run during a 3 day trial.

I've never had to think about the number of runs before, but if a dog ran in all of those events, they would be in...(*math* *math*) possibly 8 runs on the first day and could be 7 on the second day. That seems like a lot!

 

[k9kreationz]

can't wait to see the video!!
You're so brave!!

For the table, have you tried to retrain the behaviour and give it a different queue?
I have retrained it because to Mr Toffee down means butt first then slowly lowering front paws into a comfy down... THis is how he first learned it, so what they learn first they learn best :S

So criteria I now have for what I labeled now as 'TABLE' is to jump and DOWN with front paws first, then click and reward! Definitely shaves off seconds!

I haven't tried to retrain. We have had this issue for forever, but at one point, I did work on it and got him to down faster. Basically, I just need to train it more.

http://youtu.be/-xa0YA0Hl2w
If you watch this video, you'll see at around 10 seconds us do the table. 1. I was impressed he did it (doing AKC, we dont' work on it enough) and 2. that was a fast down for him. lol.

Koji always downs with his front paws first. BUT, it's the scratching that does him in. In trial, it takes him even longer cuz he's so amped up. In AKC the judge usually counts to about 3 or 4 before I get him to sit or down. LOL.

I just need to work on it. Something I can do in class while others are running.

 

[Sharon]

Usdaa

Sounds like you will have a fun day.I know we did with Sting.Five runs and the day was over quickly.The only thing I did not care much for and I stated it before was the jumpers run had no weaves.I know for me the starter courses were wicked easy.Have fun!!!

 

[ortegah]

Well, I signed up for my second USDAA trial...ever. I decided to just do it all, since I have a few free trials with my club. So, I'll be doing Standard, Gamblers, Snooker, Pairs Relay, Jumpers, and yup, my very first tournament Performance Speed Jumping.

I'm hoping to qualify for Regionals, just because, but we'll see.

This will also be the first time I'm doing pairs and snooker (I've done CPE snooker, so I'm hoping it's extremely similar). And I'm hoping I don't screw up my partner. At least I'm P1 (aka Starters/Novice), so I can't expect anything from them or myself.

I've done Gamblers before and it's the only one I probably will definitely not Q. My last trial, wow, it wasn't easy. well, for me and my velcro dog. lol.

I'm not trialing until late Feb, but I'm just so excited to be giving the tournament, pairs, and snooker a try. Until then, I'll have one ASCA trial to work on Koji's contacts. And I need to work on his down. His down on the table is soooo pathetically slow. I mean, he paws at the table, and then finds the right spot, then plops his butt down. AUGH! I guess I should just be happy he lies down. hehehe.

For all the P1 courses, don't stress yourself out. They should be easy for you. USDAA starters courses are easy, not to mention they take out any of the spread jumps(doubles and triples) and replace them with all single jumps. As for the PSJ course, that will be set at Masters level so it will be what you'd see in an excellent course with the exception that you'll do the AFrame twice or the Weaves twice.

 

[k9kreationz]

If you are worried about this for pairs, the judges I've run under just want you to have the dog under control in the hand off area. When I'm getting ready for the hand off (I'm receiving the baton), I loop the lead around the front of his ruff and hold the two ends together so I can just drop the leash and go.

When I'm actually doing the hand off, I usually hold Edan by the scruff of the neck (lightly), or pick him up, until the baton is in my partner's hand then put the slip lead on correctly.

I guess I wasn't thinking about the relay, but good point. I was actually talking about the start-line. In AKC, you can take the lead off while the other dog is running and Koji is too focused on them (he wants to chase). I'm going to have to pick Koji up I think, because when the other team takes off and runs, Koji WILL want to run after. Yikes.

 

[k9kreationz]

wow, you will have 6 runs in only one day?!

we only got two runs (an agility course with contacts and a jumping without contacts) and you can't choose which runs you want to compete.

Yup, different venues here have different things. AKC usually has 2 or 3 runs in one day, but typically 2. Almost all the other venues usually have 5 a day.

 

[k9kreationz]

Good point about Pairs. I would even ask the judge if they care how you hold onto your dog before/after you run. I've heard some judges say they prefer you not to hold your dog by the neck, and I've heard others say that there's a 4-paw rule (all 4 paws have to be on the ground), and I've also had judges who allowed you to pick up your dog.

Very good point. I'll have to remind myself to do that. Better write it down somewhere.

 

[k9kreationz]

Sounds like you will have a fun day.I know we did with Sting.Five runs and the day was over quickly.The only thing I did not care much for and I stated it before was the jumpers run had no weaves.I know for me the starter courses were wicked easy.Have fun!!!

Just curious, why do you not like that it doesn't have weaves?

 

[k9kreationz]

For all the P1 courses, don't stress yourself out. They should be easy for you. USDAA starters courses are easy, not to mention they take out any of the spread jumps(doubles and triples) and replace them with all single jumps. As for the PSJ course, that will be set at Masters level so it will be what you'd see in an excellent course with the exception that you'll do the AFrame twice or the Weaves twice.

I wouldn't say I'm stressing out. I'm just more concerned about letting my partner down. But then again, I'm sure they'll feel the same way. Especially in Starters. lol.

I am worried about his A-frame though. lol. It's not perfect by any means. And his Standard run, why the heck am I doing Standard? LOL.

I am excited about the PSJ course though. I can't wait to run a USDAA Masters level course.