Eliminated? Don't Despair! Making the Most of Your Agility Run

It happens to the best of us. You're flying around the agility course, your dog is nailing every obstacle, and then… elimination. It can be frustrating, but knowing what to do in that moment can turn a disappointment into a valuable learning opportunity.

Before we dive into what to do, let's touch on some common reasons for elimination in agility. These include:

        *Taking the wrong course: Your dog might miss a tunnel or jump the wrong side of an obstacle.

        *Three refusals: This can be your dog stopping, running past an obstacle, or running by an          obstacle and then crossing their path in order to take that obstacle.

        *Toileting in the ring: Nature calls, even during a run!

        *Touching your dog whilst under test: This is a big no-no as it's considered interference.

When any of these (or other rule breaches) occur, the judge will signal your elimination.

The general rule of thumb, especially at Kennel Club (KC) shows, is that the moment you know you've been eliminated, you should leave the ring without asking your dog to take any other obstacle.

Why this strict rule? Judges and ring parties at KC shows are incredibly busy, often overseeing 350 to 450 dogs in a single day. Every extra moment a competitor spends in the ring after elimination adds up, potentially causing significant delays for the entire event. Showing respect for their time and the efficiency of the show is paramount.

However, there can be a polite exception. If you believe you can finish the course in a timely manner and you're still in a reasonable flow with your dog, you can quickly ask the judge if it's okay to keep going. In our experience, most judges are understanding and will say yes.

A crucial caveat: If the judge agrees, make absolutely sure you are not taking up more time. Spending another minute or more trying to complete the course after an elimination is "not cricket." Remember, there are hundreds of dogs waiting to compete, and if even a few competitors take extra time, the ring can quickly fall half an hour to an hour behind schedule, making a long day even longer for the dedicated ring staff.

At Bee Happy Ida, we operate a little differently. We cap our numbers of dogs, which means we have less time pressure. If you get eliminated during your run at one of our shows, we still encourage you to ask the judge if it's okay to carry on.

Doing this at our shows is excellent practice for when you do compete at the KC level. Again, try not to spend too long in the ring, but this is the prime time to turn your run into a training opportunity!

2, Immediately reward your dog as soon as they get it right. Use their favourite toy or a high-value food (check out our rules for food in the ring on our website).

3,Depending on where you are on the course, finish the course.

4, Remember to show your appreciation to the judge as you leave the course. A quick "thank you" goes a long way!

Our July show is ready for entries! Head to the show dates page on our website for the schedule and entry form. If the opportunity arises, have a go at implementing these tips. It's very likely you'll be nervous and might forget, but remember, judges are human too, and it's okay to run a quick request by them if it means your dog will benefit from the opportunity.

We look forward to seeing you soon at your next Bee Happy Ida show! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send them in via email – we're always happy to help.