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January 2009

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The Agenda for the meeting of the Kennel Club Agility Liaison Could to be held on 19 June 2008 at 10.00am at Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1 is as follows.

AGENDA

ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2008 (copies previously distributed).

ITEM 3. MATTERS ARISING/RESULTS OF RECOMMENDATIONS

a. Regulation Changes

The Council is invited to note that, at its meeting on 14 October 2008, the General Committee approved the deletion of Regulation H(1)(B).3.p – Cross Over Obstacle, with effect from 1 January 2009.

b. International Agility Teams

A report on International Agility Teams will be provided on the day.

c. Agility Schedules

The Council is invited to note that the General Committee has approved the amendment to Regulation H.8.c.(14), which is effective from 1 January 2009.

d. The Activities Sub-Committee reviewed the specimen schedules and amended a number of items including removing the heights of hurdles from the schedules. The Council is, therefore, requested to review whether the jump height Regulation needs to be amended and whether it is necessary to have minimum and maximum heights.

ITEM 4. PROPOSALS FROM SOCIETIES/PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS

a. Proposed Amendment to Regulation H(1)(A).6. Richard Jordan

FROM:
Class Structure. A class may either be held as a Graded Class or a Combined Class. A Graded Class may be scheduled for one or more consecutive Grades with separate results and awards issued for each grade. A Combined Class may be scheduled for more than one consecutive grade with one overall set of results.

TO:
Class Structure. A class may either be held as a Graded Class or a Combined Class. A Graded Class may be scheduled for one or more consecutive Grades with separate results and awards issued for each grade. The eligibility for a Graded Class is detailed below.

A Combined Class may be scheduled for more than one consecutive grade with one overall set of results. A Combined Class is open to any combination of dog and handler that qualifies for any of the Grades included in the combination. (Amendments in red)

This proposal has been put forward to remove the confusion that can arise as to the eligibility of dogs and handlers in Combined Classes. The only guidelines are the examples given in the document 'New Agility Grading Structure for 2007', that was released on 17 November 2006. With the passage of time, this information, unless formalised in the Regulations, will gradually be forgotten as those responsible for its creation move to new pastures.

The particular example that gave rise to this proposal concerned a Combined G1-3 Class and a handler running a loaned Grade 1 dog. The handler's usual dog competed at Grade 7. The dog was eligible for the Class, being a Grade 1 dog and the handler was eligible for the Class as they could run in Grade 3.

b. Proposed Amendment to Regulation H(1)(B)3.m. Jo Sermon & Terry Felstead

FROM:

'A' Ramp- Two ramps 2.74m(9ft) long by 914mm (3ft) wide hinged at the apex 1.7m (5ft 7ins) from the ground. The last 1.067m (3ft 6ins) from the bottom of each ramp should be a different colour to indicate the area with which the dog should make contact. Each ramp to have a non-slip surface, and anti-slip slats at intervals but not within 152mm (6ins) of the start of the contact area.

TO:

'A' Ramp- Two ramps 2.74m(9ft) long by 914mm (3ft) wide hinged at the apex 1.7m (5ft 7ins) from the ground. The last 1.067m (3ft 6ins) from the bottom of each ramp should be a different colour to indicate the area with which the dog should make contact when descending from the obstacle. Dogs must traverse each ramp. Each ramp to have a non-slip surface, and anti-slip slats at intervals but not within 152mm (6ins) of the start of the contact area. (Amendments in red)

Proposed Amendment to Regulation H(1)(B)3.o

FROM:

Dog Walk- A walk plank of approximately 1.372m (4ft 6ins) high with firmly fixed ramps at either end. The planks should be a minimum 3.66m (12ft) and a maximum of 4.267m(14ft) in length and a minimum of 254mm (10ins) and a maximum of 305mm(12ins) in width. The last 914mm (3ft) from the bottom of each ramp should be a different colour to indicate the area with which the dog should make contact. Each ramp should have a non-slip surface, and anti-slip slats placed at intervals but not within 153mm(6ins) of the start of a contact area.

TO:

Dog Walk- A walk plank of approximately 1.372m (4ft 6ins) high with firmly fixed ramps at either end. The planks should be a minimum 3.66m (12ft) and a maximum of 4.267m(14ft) in length and a minimum of 254mm (10ins) and a maximum of 305mm(12ins) in width. The first 1220mm (4ft) and the last 914mm (3ft) from the bottom of each ramp should be a different colour to indicate the area with which the dog should make contact. Each ramp should have a non-slip surface, and antislip slats placed at intervals but not within 153mm(6ins) of the start of a contact area. (Amendments in red)

Annex A refers to the rationale for the proposals

c. Proposed Amendment to Regulation H.7(d)&(e). Richard Jordan

FROM:

(d) The Guarantors for Shows shall be as follows: -

(1) Championship Shows – A minimum of six members of the Committee that must include the Society Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

(2)   Open and Limited Shows – A minimum of three members of the Committee which must include the Society Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

(e) The Guarantors for an Agility and Flyball Competition shall be a total of three members of the Committee which must include the Society Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

TO:

(d) The Guarantors for Agility and/or Flyball Shows shall be as follows:-

(1) Championship Shows – A minimum of six members of the Committee that must include the Society Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

(2)   Open and Limited Shows – A minimum of three members of the Committee which must include the Society Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

(3)   The General Committee, upon receipt of written request, may authorise Guarantors other than those specified above. Such a request should include full details of those proposed as Guarantors together with reasons as to why those Officers specified in (1) or (2) above may not be put forward. Such a request should be submitted at the time of application for a Show Licence under Rule H3. (Amendment in red)

(e) The Guarantors for an Agility and Flyball Competition shall be a total of three members of the Committee which must include the Society Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. (Delete red)

This proposal has been put forward to remove the present anomaly whereby Regulation H.7.e. is simply a repeat of Regulation H.7.d.(2). In addition, H.7.d.(3) has been added so that the Kennel Club International Agility Festival and other Championship, Open or Limited Agility Shows that the Kennel Club may organise in future, meet with Regulations. In the past, members other than those specified in H.7.d.(1) or H.7.d. (2) above have been put forward as guarantors which is not in accordance with the Regulations in their present form.

d. Proposed Amendment to Regulation H(1)(B). Lesley Olden

FROM:

Weaving Poles – The minimum number of poles should be five and the maximum number 12. They should be a minimum of 457 mm (1ft 6ins) and a maximum of 609mm (2ft) apart, between the poles. The poles must be of rigid construction and with a minimum height of 762mm (2ft 6ins) and a diameter between 19mm (3/4 in) and 38mm (11/2 ins).

TO:

Weaving Poles – The minimum number of poles should be five and the maximum number 12 and they should be in a continuous straight line. They should be a minimum of 457 mm (1ft 6ins) and a maximum of 609mm (2ft) apart, between the poles. The poles must be of rigid construction and with a minimum height of 762mm (2ft 6ins) and a diameter between 19mm (3/4 in) and 38mm (11/2 ins). (Amendment in red)

This proposal has been put forward because on some occasions judges have set the weaving poles in a curve, right angle or 's' shape. It has been 'accepted' practice for a number of years that the weaving poles are set in a straight line, dogs learn a rhythm and stride pattern to complete the obstacle in this format and when altered it can put a completely different perspective on the obstacle. Other obstacles have continuity, the planks and ramps on the contact obstacles are always the same and it is felt from both a dog training angle and for safety, the weaving poles should follow suit. There is nothing to stop a judge placing two sets of weaving poles on a course as consecutive obstacles, providing there is adequate space between them.

ITEM 5. DISCUSSION ITEMS

a. Whistles Terry Felstead

Terry Felstead, on behalf of Mrs F Wheeler, a private individual, requests the Council to discuss whether the use of whistles should be allowed at shows where classes such as 'knockout', 'gamblers' or 'time fault and out', are not scheduled by the society. (Amendment in red)

b. Standardisation of Weave Exit Ian Mallabar

Ian Mallabar, on behalf of Pat Brown, requests the Council to discuss standardisation of the use of odd or even numbers of weaving poles. In Pat Brown's opinion, the use of an even number of weaving poles is preferable for the following reasons.

In Kennel Club Agility the weave exit is the only piece of equipment that is not standardised. The current Kennel Club Regulations state that the dog must enter the weave the same way every time. There is no such Regulation for the exit. Negotiation of the weave can change from show to show or ring-to-ring depending if odd or even numbers of weaves are used.

In Pat Brown's experience it makes good training sense to apply the same criteria to the exit of the weaves as to the entry. This allows for the training of young dogs to be clear and consistent. Altering the exit by occasionally using odd numbers of poles, leads to inconsistency, which can be confusing for some dogs. The confidence of the dog can often be undermined, with a resulting loss of speed and accuracy.

Pat Brown has observed that the negotiation of the weaves is an area where overseas competitors excel. Their dogs are trained, and compete, on even numbers of poles. Speed and accuracy are established. Dogs weave independently of the handler and carry out the weaves at speed from almost any angle, irrespective of the position of the handler. Having the confidence that the dog will enter and exit the weaves the same way will enable handlers to train and refine such skills.

In the more experienced dog, use of a differing weave exit forces the handler to compromise handling skills that may be needed for the next part of a complex course. Often the handler is forced to stay closer to the dog in the weave until it completes the exit.

In conclusion, altering the exit of the weave poles compromises the more important skills required for modern day agility. Standardisation of the weave exit would enable progressive training of the dog. This in turn would enable dogs to execute the weaves with speed, confidence and accuracy, independently of the handler.

c. 'Pay on the Day' Classes

Lesley Olden, on behalf of Mike Bacon, has requested the Council to discuss the rule in regard to 'pay on the day' classes and training at shows. Mike Bacon has some concerns regarding the poor management of the 'pay on the day' classes at some shows.

On one occasion, the ring was set up with agility equipment with an honesty box, there was no supervision and it was misused. Someone was training their dog in a very dangerous way, with the dog jumping onto the raised end of the seesaw and dangled until the seesaw came down to the ground. Another dog looked like it had never attempted agility before and when Mike Bacon questioned the handler, they explained they were not entered in the show. The show organisers explained that they did not have enough help to manage the 'pay on the day' ring, but felt it should be available for competitors and it was also raising money for charity.

ITEM 6. INTERNATIONAL AGILITY FESTIVAL

Dave Ray will give a verbal report on arrangements for the 2009 Kennel Club International Agility Festival.

ITEM 7. JUDGES WORKING PARTY (WTOA)

A report will be given on the progress of the Judges Working Party.

ITEM 8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

ITEM 9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting will be Wednesday, 3 June 2009. Items for the agenda should reach the office by Thursday, 5 March 2009

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