Mom said this is s'posed to be FUN! |
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What is NW Agility League? It is not a trial, and it is not a Fun Run, maybe somewhere in between. It is also a team sport! You need a dog, and probably a sense of humor. Other clubs from Washington and Oregon are invited to join too. We play with Top Dog, BAAD, RAT, and IDS, and Fleet Feet, to name a few. Each week will consist of a Standard course, fairly Intermediate in nature, accompanied by some wacky game with weird scoring. Courses and game briefings are published in advance, so you have a chance to strategize, and perhaps even run the courses beforehand in your practice barn.
When is it? It is a series of 7 weekly events that take place in various CAT barn locations, as well as with other clubs around the Pacific Northwest, starting the last full week of September, running through the second week in November. CAT will schedule sessions at (Helvetia) and Canby barns, and we will have some sessions at private barns as well. Locations and available days will be announced when registration is open.
How can you get on a team? Teams usually consist of four members ( and their dogs!). If you know another member, the two of you can form a team, becoming captain and co-captain. Then the other two members will be chosen in a random drawing. If you don’t know anyone who wants to do League with you, then sign up to be drawn onto a team. Either way you meet new people! League is very social, since we all pitch in to run the sessions, and help each other.
What if you don’t want to be on a team? Maybe you just want to play the games and run the courses to find out how your dog will do? There’s still a spot for you in League. You can sign up to run “FEO” (For Exhibition Only). You run the courses just the same, but your score does not count toward any of the team awards at the end. This is a great option for new dogs, new handlers, or a dog coming back after an injury, since you can choose your jump height as you wish. You still help run the sessions, have some fun with your dog, and meet new people. How can you lose?
When can I find out more and sign up? The 2025 Courses for Standard and Games and complete rules will be posted by the opening of the season on the web site, which is now being updated. Registration information will start showing up on AgileCat in August. Then you can see when sessions will be offered, and hopefully there will be one in your area.
CAT has published a set of barn policies , and site leaders will be responsible for ensuring that they are followed, and that needed supplies are in place. The main policies that affect League are:
- * Know where to park and where to potty your dog
- *Dogs in heat are allowed on the premises or grounds of the practice facility as long as they are wearing panties.
- *No alcohol or tobacco may be consumed on the practice facility grounds.
- *Non-members may help a CAT member during barn rental time for moving equipment. They must sign a waiver and may not run a dog or have brought a dog to the barn.
