Paws4Fun Agility Club

Paws4Fun Agility RULES

At all times, At all Paws4Fun locations

Your dog is your responsibility and you are responsible for all of your dog's actions. You must ensure that your dog is under control at all times. Different sizes of dogs with different prey-drives will be on the property at the same time.

We need to keep all our dogs safe and happy by keeping our dogs under control and ensuring there are not unwanted encounters. Even a visit from am friendly dog can make a shy dog uncomfortable.

Dogs with a high prey drive should be kept away from the ring when other dogs are running in order to avoid a negative interaction.

Handlers with small and large dogs should be conscious that small dogs are more likely to be hurt by large dogs even if they are both friendly and are just playing. Owners of small dogs can be unaware that their small dog's behaviour may be provoking even to well mannered dogs. Both handlers should be aware of how well socialized their dog is and whether they should work on good manners.

Even though on leash, please ask before allowing your dog to 'visit' another dog. Both for safety's sake, and because it is important for the dogs to learn to wait for permission, so they can maintain focus in the ring.

Do not throw food into tunnels, this can remain insitu and be a serious distraction to other dogs.

At the Outdoor Agility Fields,
2840 Taylor Road

Your dog must be on leash at all times unless running in a ring.

Pick up after your dog. Garbage cans are available for the disposal of poop bags.

Ideally, you dog should not foul in the rings, and you should do your best to prevent this by giving them a walk in the open area before going into the ring. Fouling in the ring does happen, so when it does: stop your run, mark the spot where the fouling happened, collect your dog and take them back to the crate / car, use a bag to pick up if necessary, and then spray the area with the spray bottle provided at each ring as a courtesy to other users.

Do not tie your dog to the t-bars on the club's property. Do not slip your leash over the t-bar while it is attached to your dog. If you must leave your dog use either a crate or a tie-out or ask someone to hold your dog for you. (Note: even though someone may agree to hold your dog, you are still responsible for its actions. You know your dog best and should act accordingly.)

At any indoor Facility where a Paws4Fun event or class is held

Your dog must be on leash at all times unless running a sequence or course.

Pick up after your dog. Please take poop bags home with you, do not dispose of them on site.

Ideally, you dog should not foul in the rings, and you should do your best to prevent this by giving them a walk in the open area before going into the ring. Fouling in the ring does happen, so when it does: stop your run, mark the spot where the fouling happened, collect your dog and take them back to the crate / car, use a bag to pick up if necessary, and then spray the area with the spray bottle provided at each ring as a courtesy to other users.

In Training Classes, at all Locations

Paws4Fun is committed to giving you a great training experience. We ask for your contribution to making training at Paws4Fun a successful and fun experience for all involved.

  1. Dogs are normally in the ring in a flat collar during classes for safety reasons. If you have any doubt on the suitability of your collar, consult with your instructor.

  2. Remember that the instructors are volunteering their time to teach and we are fortunate to have them. They are the club's representative during the class.

  3. Students may be asked to help with set up / teardown of courses for their class.

  4. Classes will be held rain or shine unless cancelled by the instructor for safety reasons (e.g. lightening or very strong winds). In this case instructors will arrange for make-up classes.

  5. Classes have priority access to their assigned rings during their assigned times. When not assigned to a class, rings are available to club members for practice.

AAC Agility Trial Handler Etiquette

Paws4Fun is committed to giving you a great trial experience. We ask for your contribution to making our trials a successful and fun experience for all involved.

  1. Please be pleasant to volunteers. They are giving up their time for this, and trails cannot happen without them.

  2. As soon as you arrive, go to the volunteer desk and see if there is anywhere you can help out.

  3. Pick up after your dog, there are garbage cans on site.

  4. Pick up you own garbage, there are garbage cans on site. If you see garbage in the ring or the field, it would be nice if you picked it up. Our lawn mowers do not like garbage.

  5. Keep your dog on leash when not at the warm-up jumps or running an event.

  6. Respect any dog that needs "space". If your dog needs "space" politely ask other handlers to respect it.

  7. Check in with the gatekeeper before each event, either before the briefing or after walking the course. If you do not check in, the gatekeeper will assume you are not there.

  8. If you need to change the running order for any reason, do not do it yourself. Have the gatekeeper do it, as they need to mark the running order in a way they understand, and notify the scribe.

  9. As each event progresses, keep track of who is running. Be at the gate well before your turn and let the gatekeeper know you are there.

  10. If you have a question or need to speak to the judge, go to the gatekeeper. They will wait until the current run is finished and alert the judge.

  11. Respect the volunteer's job, especially the timer, scribe and gatekeeper. Refrain from speaking to them as this can distract them from their job. If you need someone to hold your dog or treats, or film a run, ask another handler.

  12. Gatekeeper terminology:
    (a) In the ring - the dog that is running
    (b) On deck - the next dog (second)
    (c) In the hole - the dog after that (third)