Words To Know For Your First Agility Trial

At your first agility trial, you will likely encounter many unfamiliar words and phrases. What is a run vs a class vs a level? What does it mean to have a qualifying round? There are several words you should know before your first agility trial. This agility trial glossary addresses all of these questions and more to help you prepare for your first agility competition.

Most of these words and phrases are consistent across organizations (AKC, UKI, USDAA); although the examples tend to be from UKI.

Signing Up For Your First Agility Trial

• Class – The type of run, or event type. For example, Jumpers with Weaves, Gamblers, or Speedstakes.
• Course Map – Diagram showing the obstacle layout. The course maps are typically provided shortly before the trials begins.
• Jump Height – How high the dog will jump: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, or 24 inches.
• Level – The difficultly, or skill level, of the run. In UKI, the levels are Beginner, Novice, Senior, and Champ.
• Open – A class where all dogs, regardless of level, will run the same course. However, the dogs place and points are still scored by height and level.
• Preferred/Select – Dogs jumping 4 inches below their measured jump height. For example, if a dog measures at a 24-inch jump height, their preferred height is 20 inches.
• Premium – Informative sheet that tells you everything you need to know about the trial, including the trial date, location, parking or driving directions, venue policies, judges, and class/level information.
• Standard/Regular – Dogs jumping their full jump height.

At Your First Agility Trial

• Clean Run – No mistakes during a run, typically resulting in points.
• Error – A mistake during the run. This includes missed contact zones, knocked bars, refusals, and off courses, among others.
• Faults – Penalties for errors. They are typically time penalties.
• Gate – Where you enter the ring. The entrance gate typically differs from the exit gate.
• Gate Steward – Person managing the run order near the gate.
• Leash Walker/Runner – Volunteer running the leash from the start line to the finish line.
• Not For Competition (NFC) – A run that will be completed for training purposes only. The dog cannot receive points for the run.
• No Qualify (NQ) – A run that did not meet qualifying standards. Typically, this implies the run had at least one error. Non qualifying runs do not gain points or place.
• Qualify (Q) – A run the meets qualifying standards and gains your points. It also makes you eligible to place. Typically, this means the run had no errors.
• Refusal – A dog hesitates before taking an obstacle or runs past the obstacle. This typically results in a NQ.
• Ring Crew – Volunteers who stay inside the ring during a dog’s run to help adjust jump heights during a class.
• Run – A single timed course attempt. Each dog will only complete one run per class, but a dog will likely have multiple runs throughout the day.
• Run Order – The order dogs will run in a class. Classes are typically run smallest to largest or vice versa. The run order tells you exactly which dogs will run before and after you, so you know when to get ready and be near the gate.
• Standard Course Time (SCT) – The amount of time a dog has to complete a course. This is determined by the judge and varies by the course, dog height, and level.
• Start Line – When the course begins. A dog will be required to begin the course at the start line.
• Timer – Two poles directly in front of the first obstacle that the start the clock at the dog goes through them.
• Title – An award given to a dog after they have gained enough points to complete a level. The title typically goes after a dog’s name.
• Walkthrough – The handler’s opportunity to walk the course without their dog. In UKI, handlers typically have 8 minutes to walk the course.

Did I miss anything? Leave a comment below or check out my post on agility terms used in training! Want to learn more about your first agility trial? Check out my other two articles about signing up for your first agility trial and what to expect on trial day.