NADAC Dog Agility Games
Many of us join dog agility with older dogs and at some point it becomes difficult for those dogs to continue jumping or doing contacts. Well, NADAC has some Nonstandard Classes we call “Games” that allow for dogs that have issues with jumping or climbing to continue having fun competing. They also have “Games” that specifically challenge those with superb contacts and jumping skills. The bonus? You can earn titles just like the standard classes! So don’t think your dog has to stop, if he doesn’t want to, just because he can no longer jump or climb.
Tunnelers Class
If your dog loves tunnels, has great ground speed and directional control then the Tunnelers Class is your ticket. This class is comprised of, yes, only tunnels and is designed to demonstrate a dog’s ability to respond quickly to directional commands. Due to the fact the dog can hit top ground speed with ease, this course may look easy, but will take excellent teamwork as the handler must stay ahead of the dog in directional cues. It is open to Standard Division dogs and dogs entered for a Veteran/Disabled Handler and each clean, non-faulted run under the appropriate Standard Course time earns 10 points with a Certification received at 30 points.
Hoopers Class
Another great class that showcases ground speed and handling is the Hoopers Class. This class is comprised of entirely of hoops which demonstrates the team’s ability to handle and communicate effectively at top ground speeds while completing a course of test and non test hoops and a bonus sequence that can be attempted at a distance for bonus points. This class is open to Standard Division dogs and dogs entered for a Veteran/Disabled Handler. A qualifying run, without bonus, will be worth 10 points. At any level, if a team successfully performs a bonus test with the handler behind the bonus line, they will earn a 15-point qualifying round. For Elite, if the team successfully performs both bonus tests with the handler behind the line, the result will be a 20-point qualifying round. In all levels a Certification is earned after 30 points.
A bit more complicated “Game,” Hoopers is not numbered so the handler can choose how to run the course with the following rules. Non-test hoops are in a line of four hoops placed on the side or middle of the ring and at all levels, the first test must be preceded by a minimum of three non-test hoops in any direction. Then the team must perform at least two non-test hoops followed by their second test. Open and Elite levels have an added non-test hoop followed by a third test. Tests are numbered if they can be described by a pattern such as a pinwheel it will not be numbered and can be run in either direction. Otherwise the test will be numbered and must be run in that order.
Weavers Class
If you want to show off your dog’s finesse with the weave poles then you will want to try the Weavers Class. It is a numbered course comprised of tunnels, hoops, and weave poles with the goal of demonstrating the dog’s ability to correctly enter the weave poles correctly at a variety of angles and greater speeds than the Regular Agility class. There are three levels in the Weaves Class; Novice with three short sets of weaves, Open with one long set and two short sets of weaves and Elite with three sets of long weave poles. It is open to Standard Division dogs and dogs entered for a Veteran/Disabled Handler and requires a clean, non-faulted run under the appropriate Standard Course time to earn the 10 points with a Certification received at 30 points.
Jumpers Class
The Jumpers class is a numbered course made up of jumps and one or two tunnels designed to demonstrate the dog and handler teams ability to work together as a fast, smooth functioning team. It highlights the natural jumping ability of the dog while challenging the handler’s handling style at speed. Teams may be entered in the Standard, Veterans, or the Junior Handler Division. In the Veterans and Junior Handler Divisions, the dog is given their allotted standard course time and the dog must jump their valid veteran or Junior Handler jump height. The dog may only be entered in one division and only one level per class. A clean, non-faulted run under the Standard Course time earns 10 points with Certification given at 30 points.
Touch N Go Class
If you and your dog excel in the contact obstacles then the The Touch N Go class is for you. It is a numbered course comprised of contact obstacles, tunnels and hoops designed to test the dog’s ability to perform correct contacts from various angles with three to four contact obstacles per class. This class is open to Standard Division dogs and dogs entered for a Veteran/Disabled Handler and for a clean, non-faulted run under the set Standard Course time, the dog shall earn 10 points. Certification is earned at 30 points.
Chances Class
In the Chances Class dog and handler are tested on distance, directional and discrimination skills on a numbered course that could have any obstacles listed in the NADAC equipment list in a numbered sequence of 10-15 obstacles. However, there shall not be more than one set of weaves to perform if any are used. The teams have 40 seconds to complete the course and must be done clean for a qualifying score. The distance portion is marked with lines on the ground and neither dog (four paws) nor handler (not even touch) is allowed to cross during that portion of the test. Chances is open to Standard, Veterans, or the Junior Handlers Divisions. In the Veterans and Junior Handler Divisions, the dog must jump their valid veteran or junior handler jump height and a dog may be entered in only one division and only one level per class. Chances is a Pass/Fail class only with no class placements but a Certification at 30 points earned is given.