What do I do at the Trial?: Getting Set

A call will be made for a judge’s briefing for your event.

• Put you dog in the crate and go to the ring of the event. Do not expect anybody to be there to hold your dog for you.
• Stand with the other handlers and listen to the judge’s briefing.
• The judge will describe details of the event and particular instructions. You will be told the running times, the judge’s table count, and how long you have to walk the course. When the judge asks if there are any questions, feel free to ask in the briefing. If you feel your question is only for you then you can ask the judge after the briefing more privately.

Walk the course and figure out how you think you should handle it. Others walking the course are working out their own running strategy so – for the most part – don’t ask other competitors questions. There is nothing wrong, however, with watching others as they walk the course to see what they might be deciding to do with a sequence you find difficult. For the most part, though, make a plan that suits you and your dog. You are the one who best knows your team! If things don’t work out the way you had hoped, that will give you feedback to take into account when you plan your next run!

• Making the most of my walk-through  During your walk-through you need to learn the course and figure out how you will handle it. Try to decide everything about your run and answer these questions:
• Where is start line? Where is it relative to the first obstacle?
• Where is finish line? Where is it relative to the last obstacle?
• What side of my dog should I start on?
• Should I lead out? How far?
• What is the course?
• Where are the challenges? How will I handle them?
• Where do I need to cross? Front cross? Rear cross?
• What will my path be?
• What will my dog’s path be?

In gamblers:

• How will I get my points? How many points do I need?
• Can my dog do the mini-gamble? Is it worth it?
• Is there a 4 point obstacle? where is it? how do I get there?
• How will I manage to be near the gamble start when the whistle goes?
• How will I handle the gamble?

In snooker:

• How many points do I need?
• How will I get the points? The closing sequence is always worth 27 points.
• What will my course be?

Check-in with the gatekeeper. Check the listing at the gate to verify where you are running. If you are one the first 10 dogs, you should start getting you dog ready to run including going for a pee and stretching muscles [yours and the dogs].

• If you’re not in the first 10, go back to your spot and hang out, watch the dogs run, enjoy yourself, talk to the other handlers. Pay attention to what is going on. How are the other dogs doing? Where are they having problems? But don’t obsess!
• About 10 to 15 dogs before you run, get him ready to run. Take your dog for a pee and a stretch. Your run will be over and you will be asked to leave the ring if your dog "fouls" [urinates or defecates] in the ring! So, make sure you provide an opportunity for your dog to do this before the run!
• Warm her up using the two jumps supplied for warm-ups.
• 4 dogs before you run, go to the gatekeeper area and tell the gatekeeper your are there. Listen to the gatekeeper’s calls. She will call who’s in the hole [2 dogs before the run] and who’s on deck [next dog to run].
• Look for where the leashes are being put.
• Watch the dog that’s running, do you remember the course correctly?