Washington State 4-H Guide to Dog Agility

Chapter 1: Introduction and General Rules

What is Agility?

Patterned after equestrian show jumping, dog agility combines the elements of a dog’s agility, briskness, confidence, and a handler’s control over an obstacle course designed for dogs. It is a fun sport with great spectator appeal.

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Purpose of Agility

• Add new members and maintain established members in the dog project.
• Provide positive motivational training methods and interactions with the dog.
• Enhance a working relationship between the dog and handler.
• Provide a better-conditioned dog and handler.
• Promote good sportsmanship and citizenship.
• Promote a better-rounded handler and dog team.
• Add confidence to both dog and handler.
• Create another opportunity for competition in the dog project.

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Safety Rules

Because the safety of both dogs and handlers is of paramount importance, the following rules will be enforced:

1. All members in agility must be active in their county’s dog project and exhibit in obedience and showmanship at a county qualifying event. The dog competing in Agility must have been entered in Obedience at a County Qualifying event.
2. Individual members must attend training classes suited to individual dogs and handlers. Evaluation by club or county leaders prior to showing is highly recommended. Dogs and handlers must be trained and comfortable off-leash on all equipment within a specified class to compete. Either 4-H classes or those of a recognized training school will be accepted. Simply working with your dog in the back yard is not acceptable.
3. Dogs must be a minimum of 15 months old to compete in 4-H agility. It is recommended that dogs be a minimum of 15 months old to begin agility training and larger breeds be at least 18 months old. This is because for most breeds the growth plates in the bones are still developing until the average age of fourteen months, even later for large breeds. The final determinations for training age and the type of training must be made by the owner and trainer.
4. No dog with a condition that would significantly impair their performance may participate. Some examples of these include, but are not limited to, orthopedic or joint issues, hip dysplasia, arthritis, and being overweight. Dogs who are unable to jump the required jump heights due to physical ability must not participate. Jump heights will not be lowered due to age or physical ability of the dog. All 4-H members are strongly encouraged to consult their veterinarian before beginning agility training. A judge, Superintendent or the county trainer at state and county events will have the authority to stop the performance of any dog whose soundness they question.
5. Dogs that show signs of aggression toward humans or other dogs will not be permitted to participate.
6. Female dogs in season must wear well-fitting pants with an absorbent pad while on the agility trial grounds.
7. Handlers must follow the Washington State 4-H Dog Program Policies Dress Code.
8. Agility competitions must be performed on a level, shock absorbent surface that provides good footing for the take-off and landing of jumps. Grass, dirt, or any other footing commonly used in horse areas is ideal. It is recommended that dirt be packed hard enough to prevent injury to either dog or handler. A fully matted or carpeted area may provide an acceptable alternative. The judge will inspect the area to be used, and if it is unacceptable, will request a different location. In extreme cases, the show may need to be canceled.
9. The use of a completely fenced area is encouraged, but not required.
10. A supervised warm-up area consisting of only a single jump will be provided in a specified area outside the ring. No obstacle or jump shall be permitted elsewhere on the show grounds for training, warm-up, or other preparatory purposes. If available, an enclosed area may be used to allow for off leash warm up, one dog at a time.
11. Judges will inspect all equipment prior to beginning the show and may modify the requirements to the extent necessary to eliminate any piece of unsafe equipment.
12. All agility jumps must have a displaceable bar.
13. The Superintendent is the final authority regarding 4-H dog agility competition.

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Additional Rules

1. A member may enter one qualified agility dog at State Fair.
2. Individual counties shall determine the initial level at which each dog and handler team competes. The safety of the team shall be the primary consideration when making this placement.
3. A dog and handler team receiving a blue ribbon at a State Agility Trial must advance to the next level the following year.
4. Training aids and treats are not permitted on the course.
5. When a collar is used, it must be a flat buckle or rolled leather collar. There shall be no attachments hanging or otherwise allowed on the collar. This shall not preclude painted or stitched designs or information on the collar. No names or identifying information may appear on the collar. No title, awards, or advertising may appear on the collar. Dogs may be brought to the start line on slip leads, slip chains, body harnesses or other collars that are permitted on the trial grounds. Pinch, prong and electrical collars whether dummy or not, head halters and special training collars are not allowed. Collars are required in Elementary and Pre-Novice classes. In all other classes, collars are optional and a handler may elect to run the dog with or without a collar.
6. Handlers may not jump over the jumps with their dogs. Handlers may not pass over, under or through the equipment.
7. Handlers may not touch their dogs or an obstacle while running the course. Incidental contact that does not aid the dog on the course will not be penalized.
8. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Any handler exhibiting poor sportsmanship such as swearing, yelling at their dog, striking the dog, pulling on their dog’s fur or body parts, excessive corrections, loud complaints about other exhibitors or the judge, etc., will be eliminated, receiving no ribbon.
9. The judge will penalize any handler receiving outside assistance. In severe cases, the handler will receive a white ribbon. The Superintendent is also responsible for investigating any incidents of outside assistance reported to them. See standard faults in the scoring section for more information.
10. A dog unable to complete the course for any reason, including leaving the ring and not immediately returning in control of the handler or ceasing to work for a significant period of time, will receive a white ribbon.
11. Any dog refusing an obstacle for the third time will be asked by the judge to go on to the next obstacle. Anyone not obeying the judge’s order will be asked to leave the ring, receiving no ribbon.
12. Handlers may use voice commands, signals, or both. Handlers are encouraged to talk or cheer their dogs through the course. There is no penalty for multiple commands or verbal encouragement, but all must be in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
13. Any dog fouling the ring during competition will be asked to leave the ring, receiving a white ribbon. Vinegar, diet cola or some other odor-neutralizing substitute, should be on hand to clean fouled equipment. Fouled equipment may be removed from the course at the judge’s discretion, and all dogs running the course previously may, at the judge’s discretion, be required to rerun the course again.
14. All courses must have clearly designated starts and finishes. All obstacles must be sequentially numbered. The numbers must be a minimum of 4 inches tall.
15. The State Fair minimum ring size is at least 60 feet by 80 feet, 80 feet by 100 feet or larger is recommended. These ring sizes are also recommended for County qualifiers. When space is restricted at county qualifiers, Superintendents may determine safe ring size.

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Jump and Pause Table Heights

Dog’s Height at Withers	Jump Height	Broad Jump Width	Pause Table Height
14 inches or under	4 inches	8 inches	8 inches
18 inches or under	8 inches	16 inches	8 inches
22 inches or under	12 inches	24 inches	12 inches
Over 22 inches	16 inches	32 inches	12 inches
Over 22 inches	20 inches	40 inches	16 inches

An exhibitor with a dog over 22 inches at the withers may choose to jump at 20 inches if approved by their leader.

An exhibitor can choose to jump at a higher level if they feel their dog is able and they are training at that level, but they must have their leader’s permission.

Dogs must be entered in the correct jump height, based on their height at the withers. 4-H Leaders are responsible for helping their members correctly measure their dogs. If a judge or the Superintendent thinks a dog may be entered in an incorrect jump height, they may ask for the dog to be measured. A dog entered at an incorrect jump height will be moved to the correct jump height.

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Handlers with Disabilities

Handlers with disabilities are encouraged to take part in Dog Agility. The judge is to consider each case individually and make a fair and suitable adjustment for judging handlers with disabilities. The Judge’s decision is final, as it is for all handlers in agility competition. Courses and individual course times may be altered to accommodate handlers with disabilities. Hearing or verbally impaired handlers may use clickers or squeakers to aid in running their dog through the course. Assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, crutches, scooters, braces, balance aids, or wheelchairs, may be reasonable where the dog can still navigate safely around. Similarly, repositioning of obstacles to ensure safe mobility access, while keeping the challenge equivalent, may be reasonable. Judges may use flags or relay a signal to a course steward who will use a flag to communicate to the handler, if necessary. Personal assistants may be appropriate, so long as they do not direct the dog.

When a course time adjustment is necessary, it is suggested to have the handler perform a test run of the course without their dog, going from obstacle to obstacle at a reasonable rate for the handler. The Judge will record the time using a stopwatch and determine an adjusted course time for that handler, making sure to record the adjusted course time on the appropriate score sheet.

The Superintendent will inform the judge as early as possible if there are any handlers with disabilities that need an adjusted course time.

Chapter 3: Pre-Agility and Beginner Standard Class

These classes will not be offered at State Fair but may be used at county and club events. The purpose of these classes is to prepare new dogs and handlers for off-leash agility work. There are significant safety challenges in running a dog on an agility course with the leash attached. Extreme care must be exercised by the handler to avoid injury to either the dog or handler in these classes.

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Pre-Agility

This class is intended for the first time or first-year agility dog and handler. The obstacles are limited to four jumps, one or two open tunnels, 10 foot if available and curved 90 degrees or less, the Pause Table, and a low A-Frame. A U-shape is appropriate. It is recommended that the A-Frame be the last obstacle. Dogs must be wearing a flat buckle collar and be on leash at all times except when performing the Open Tunnel. The class is not timed; however, the dog must be working at all times, willing to perform and under control. All other regulations and scoring apply to this class.

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Beginner Standard

This class is not timed. This is a simple S-shape, M-shape, U or horseshoe shape course consisting of eight to 11 obstacles. The following obstacles are used:

• A-Frame: Eight feet with apex at four feet or nine feet with apex at four feet and six inches
• Pause Table set at 8 inches
• Open Tunnel
• Bar Jumps

There is no time limit provided the dog is willing and working. All dogs will be shown on leash, wearing approved collars.

Jump Heights for Pre-Agility and Beginner Standard

Dog’s Height at the Withers	Jump Height
10 inches or under	4 inches
14 inches or under	8 inches
Over 14 inches	12 inches

Chapter 5: Obstacle Specifications and Performance Requirements

Obstacles

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Obstacle and Jump Positions

Distance Between Obstacles in Sequence

• Obstacles should generally stand alone. In Novice and below, the entrances should never be adjacent to one another, but entrances can be adjacent in Open and Excellent classes.
• It is recommended that there be a minimum of 15 feet to 18 feet between obstacles, with a recommended 15 feet to a tunnel, 18 feet to a jump, 21 feet to a spread jump, and a maximum of 30 feet between any two obstacles in sequence as measured along the anticipated path of a 20-inch jumping dog. Obstacles should never be closer than 12 feet apart.
• Spread jumps, Triple Bar, Double Bar, and Broad Jump, shall not be the first obstacle on the course.
• Contact obstacles such as the A-Frame, Dog Walk, and Seesaw shall not be set up in sequence, or as the first or last obstacle on a course.

Approach Angles

Approach angles are determined based on the anticipated path of a 20-inch-high jumping dog through the obstacles. Approach angles to obstacles shall not exceed the following, with additional consideration for safety, based on the obstacle being approached and the running surface.

• All Novice classes and below: Generally, not exceeding 90 degrees but must not exceed two times at 135 degrees. One 180-degree turn will be allowed.
• All Open classes: Generally, not exceeding 135 degrees but must not exceed two times at 180 degrees.
• All Excellent classes: Generally, not exceeding 180 degrees but must not exceed two times at 270 degrees.
• Standard Classes: A 180 degree turn from the exit of an Open Tunnel to the ascent of the A-Frame is not allowed.