Jumps are just what the name implies, jumps. There are few different kinds of jumps. Each requiring
the dog and handler to react in different ways. Jump heights are determined by the Class of dog and their
Registered Height.
Above Apollo is making a nice jump through the classic Tire Jump. Below left Chance clears a Standard Jump while
Gadget flies over a Spread Jump. Either dog knocking a bar off, going around a required jump or refusing to make
a jump will receive a fault.
The following Jump is equiped with wings. The wings force the handler out from the Jump. If the dog
miss reads the handler the dog could be lead away from the Jump. These can be a problem for young teams, there
is potential for a fault when the dog gets pulled from the Jump.
There are four Contact peices in Agility: Teeter, Walk, A-Frame and Table. These peices are usually painted
blue with the contact area painted yellow. The Teeter, A-Frame and Walk have a contact area at each end of
the equipment. On the Teeter, A-Frame and Walk the dog must touch the contact area at the beginning and at
the end of the equipment. The dog will receive a fault if the contact is not made.
As seen above the Table's entire top is yellow. The dog is required to stay in the down position while on the
table for a prescribed time. The Judge will not start the count until the dog is lying down.
Above Hershey is so fast he has reached the end of the Teeter which has just started to go down. He wont move from his contact area
until his handler tell him to. The Teeter is a moving peice of equipment, it will reset itself when the dog leaves.
Blaze is appling the air brakes as he decelorates to his contact area on the A-Frame.
Below on the Walk the contact areas are clearly marked.
The Weeves are a series of verticle poles spaced a set distance apart. The Weeves will either be placed as a single
set of 12 poles or placed as two 6 pole sets seperately on the course. The dog must enter the Weeves as their left shoulder
passes the first pole. Not doing so, missing a pole or refusing to do the Weeves will incure a fault. Bandit
below on the left does a flying weeve throught he poles. While Kobi takes a more relaxed approach. The point is not
to get a fault, how it is acomplished is specific to handlers and their dog.
Tunnels come in a varity of colors and lengths. They are a specific diameter while being both flexable and ridget.
The classic shape for the Tunnel is a "U". But it can be placed how ever the Judge has designed his / her course.
Look for a pilon with a number, it will indicate which end to enter.
Quel, yes a Great Dain, exits a Tunnel and heads for the next peices of equipment, while Tucker does the same.
The Chute starts off as a ridget barrel with a collaspably chuts at one end. The chute has been shortened by 4' for safety
as required by the AAC for 2009. The Chute as well can be any color, however the Chute fabric is shaped to flare out at it exit end.
For most dogs the Tunnel and Chute is a fun run. Refusing to enter, turning inside or exiting where they went in will earn a fault. Below it is obvious there is only one way into the Chute. There is
a pylon at the mouth of the barrel to indicate what order this peice of equipment is in the course.
Most of the Agility Equipment used in Trials was identified above. As more pictures are available this Agility Equipment page
will be updated. Next time you see an event going on, stop and see what it is about. Make sure to ask questions about
other upcoming events, demos or classes. Some clubs have a web site, see if there is one in your neighbourhood.
PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH ANY DOG AT A TRIAL WHEN THE HANDLER IS NOT PRESENT
While at an event, Handlers must leash or kennel all their dogs. An injuryed dog is not permitted
to run in a Trial. A bitch in heat is not permitted in the area while a Trial is on. All Handlers are required
to clean up after their dog(s). Any dog fouling a course will be dismissed immediately and may be dismissed from the rest
of the Trial pending the Judges decision.
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