Food For Thought

Here are some thought provoking and interesting articles.

Consider Retooling the Open Classes, Replace One Redundant Exercise with a New Exercise (word) (pdf)

by John Cox (This article is copyrighted to John Cox and may not be used without his written permission).
dog-talk@comcast.net

The Rally Crystal Ball (word) (pdf) (revised)

by John Cox (This article is copyrighted to John Cox and may not be used without his written permission).
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A Proposal for a New Agility Title for the Preferred Classes the PAX!
by John Cox (This article is copyrighted to John Cox and may not be used without his written permission).
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Obedience Charts and Tables. Download, Laminate and use for stewarding or judging. (pdf file))

by John Cox dog-talk@comcast.net

Dog Talk Articles (pdf files)

by John Cox (These articles are copyrighted to John Cox and may not be used without his written permission).
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General Novice Open Utility Judging Puzzles New Thoughts Novice Worksheets

Open Worksheets Utility Worksheets Non-Regular Worksheets

From the AKC December 2005 Board Minutes:

Agility Regulations

The Board reviewed a number of proposed amendments to the Agility Regulations as recommended by the AKC Agility Advisory Committee. They included:

• The addition of the 26” class furthers the growth and International aspect of AKC Agility.

• The addition of the new titling program (PAX) for the Preferred class expands the ability for many extreme breeds, veteran dogs and veteran handlers to continue to compete in the sport of agility at a higher level.

• The new titling class “FAST” will address the fancy’s request for a new titling class consisting of advanced distance work and control. “FAST” will also bring additional entries for trials that do not currently reach their limits.

To read the minutes in their entirety, visit www.akc.org

A Proposal for a New Agility Title for the Preferred Classes the PAX!

No, not a MACH from the Preferred classes, but instead a title aimed at rewarding and recognizing Double Qs (combined qualifying scores) in the Preferred Excellent classes. As you know, part of the MACH title rewards double Qs in the regular classes of agility. There is now a need to have a title (similar to the UDX in obedience) for the Preferred classes, which would reward the Preferred combined qualifying scores (double Qs) from the Excellent Preferred Standard and Jumpers classes.

As a suggestion, the new title could be given the name Preferred Agility Excellent (PAX). This would be a suffix title for ten (10) combined scores from the Preferred Excellent classes. Also, one could continue on to earn a PAX2, etc. The new title would reward the dogs in the Preferred classes for combined scores (something now missing) like the MACH does in the Regular classes and the UDX does in obedience.

With my obedience background, and my new love for Agility, I do see a spot for this new title, which would benefit the handlers, dogs, clubs and the AKC. The PAX title would be consistent with other AKC combined score titles and create new and interesting goals for all in agility.

Like the UDX in obedience, it would be a difficult title to obtain, but not out of reach for most breeds or handlers. With the PAX title in effect, entries should increase in both classes (Preferred Standard and Jumpers), thus benefiting clubs and the AKC with their bottom lines while adding new interest to the sport.

The PAX title would not interfere or take anything away from the MACH title just as the UDX title does not interfere or take anything away from the OTCH title.

To be fair and consistent, if the PAX title were introduced, I would support having the PAX legs earned in the past grandfathered in like the NOI (National Obedience Champion) title and the numbered UDX legs. This data is now computerized so, like the UDX, it should not be an issue. Since this is a title for the Preferred classes, the grandfathering would only go back to September 1, 2002 (the date the Preferred classes went in to effect), a much shorter time frame than the NOI or numbered UDX legs. So, now would be a good time to start offering the title and not delay.

Recording the PAX results would be no different than what is now being done with the UDX legs or the combined scores from the Regular classes for the MACH.

I hope you folks will give it some thought for the upcoming review of Agility. If you feel it has merit, please forward your support to:

Curt Curtis (Director of Companion Events) cac@akc.org

Sharon Anderson (Director of Agility) sxa@akc.org

Thanks and have a clean run and a DOUBLE Q!

John Cox

(206) 524 2468

dog-talk@comcast.net

For a pdf file of this proposal click here
For a word file of this proposal click here