By purchasing a seminar from EquiCanine™ you agree that you have read the Information for Dog Training Seminars and that you will abide by the rules herein provided to support your experience and learning at seminars hosted by EquiCanine™.
Observing others
- Handlers and auditors are always requested to respect fellow handlers and their dogs' abilities and learning journey and be supportive to others.
- Watch the handlers before and after you as instructors often spend half the sessions repeating the same thing for every student because they are common mistakes and if you don't watch the other participants then you will just make the same mistake too. By watching and listening you can see the handling in action, and you can pick what went wrong or right yourself which enhances your learning.
Dog's welfare when working
- If you have a lower drive or unfit dog and you understand and correctly achieve the exercise within half of your allocated time, the instructor will not push you to continue until your time is up nor will they push a dog beyond its mental or physical limits just to make sure everyone has equal time. Focus will be quality of time rather than the quantity.
- You know your dog best so if you think your dog has had enough mentally or physically during their working session be sure to speak up and say so and use the remainder of your time to ask questions to gain a deeper understanding.
Helper
- Agility seminars are not the place to train startline stays (unless that is a specific activity the instructor is teaching). If your dog does not have a reliable stay, organise a dog holder for your turn as needed, so you don't spend half of your working turn waiting for a correct stay from your dog or blowing your criteria.
Rules
- No harsh handling, yelling at dogs or mistreatment of dogs will be tolerated
- ALL dogs must be contained in locked crates unless working with the instructor or walking with the handler on lead
- All handlers must keep barking or whining dogs to an absolute minimum
- ALL dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless working with the instructor
- Handlers must attend to their dogs if they continually bark in their crates to prevent noise disturbances
- Adequate shade, ventilation and warmth must be provided to your dog/s at all times
- Handlers that leave their dog/s in a car do so at their own risk and shall not hold EquiCanine™ liable for any injury, illness or death
- If your dog is aggressive to other dogs or humans; continually barks; is not contained in a closed crate; or, is not walked on lead, you will be requested to leave the premises
- Dogs are to be toileted away from the working area
- Handlers MUST pick up all faeces and dispose of it in bins or take it home to dispose of
- Handlers must bring their own dogs toilet bags and drinking water
- Dogs are to be crated or penned and must not be tethered at any time
- Handlers and auditors are required to wear closed footwear
- Participants are expected to assist with setting up and packing up equipment
Auditors
- Each group will be completing different activities/courses in their session so there is ample opportunity to learn by auditing
Arrival time
- Plan to arrive at the venue a minimum of 30 - 60 minutes prior to commencement of your session
- Set up your crates and chairs
- Toilet and settle your dogs and yourself
- Be ready 15 minutes before your session start time to familiarise yourself with the working environment/course
Course walking - agility
- Working spot handlers will be prioritised for agility course walking and discussion on handling. Auditors are asked to give them space and time and to not take up the instructors' attention or monopolise them during the sessions
- At the commencement of your group session you will be given a short talk by the instruvtor, then as a group you will commence the activity/course walking and discussion with the instructor
Working spot
- Working spot handlers and their dogs will alternate sessions so that the dogs and handlers have adequate time to recover and absorb the information and learning opportunities being offered
- This also provides opportunity for both groups of working handlers to watch and learn for the entire day
- Each working spot will be strictly timed so that each handler and dog receive equal time with the instructor
Working spot readiness and participation
- There will be 6 dogs and handlers working in each agility session
- There will be 10 - 15 dogs in an obedience seminar
- Each working spot will be timed with a stopwatch to ensure that each dog and handler receives an equal amount of time
- The timing will be advised by the instructor at the commencement of your session. For example, each team may be allocated 7 minutes each turn that they have through the rotation of the dogs Usually there are 4 rotations; however, this is dependent on you as a group being prepared and ready
It is your responsibility to:
- Have your dog and yourself toileted and warmed up and standing ready and waiting as the previous dog and handler finish and leave the working area so that the instructor can turn and immediately focus on you
- Use your working time optimally so that you and your dog practice and apply all that the instructor imparts
Videoing & photography
- Flash is not permitted when dogs are working
- It is also highly recommended that you ask a friend to video your working spot
- Teach that person how to use your device
- Remove or write down any passwords required for the device
- Have the device ready prior to preparing for your working spot
What to bring for yourself:
- Chair
- Pen & paper to record your notes
- Lunch & refreshments
- Hat & sun protection
- Repellent
Glass
- Do not bring any glass objects or containers to the venue
- If there was an unfortunate incident of glass breakage it would leave dogs, horses and humans that use the venue at risk of injury
Mug
- To enjoy a refreshing cuppa be sure to pack your hard plastic or metal mug each day as mugs will not be provided, this also contributes positively to the environment
Refreshments
- Tea, coffee, milk & sugar and biscuits will be provided
Water
- Participants are advised to bring a lot of water for their dogs and themselves to drink
Pick up poops
- As responsible canine people we are all expected to do the right thing and pick up poops so be sure to pack bags and pop them in the bins around the grounds
Treats
- Bring soft easily chewable treats in a treat pouch; however, be considerate of others by not bringing crumbly treats to reward in the working area, as dropped crumbs may impact on your dog or another's dog's attention, especially the dogs with noses closer to the ground
Toys
- Squeaky toys may only be used for your dog when working
- It is preferable to use toys/tugs that you hold rather than toys you throw away from you
This serves two purposes:
- You holding the toy/tug makes 'you' the "most fun thing to be with" for your dog
- Prevents your dog getting a mouth full of sand or dirt every time you throw the toy on the ground
Leads & collars - agility & obedience
- Agility working spot dogs are to run without a collar when on course at all times
- Obedience working spot dogs are to work in a flat collar and lead only
- To move your dog between the working area and crate/car use:
- a standard lead that clips onto the dog's flat collar
- a correctly fitted harness
- a slip lead that:
- will open up so that the loop easily slips over the dogs' head
- MUST have a stopper that prevents the lead from tightening around the dogs neck
- allows 2 - 3 fingers to be placed perpendicular between the lead and the dogs neck
- Not permitted - electric collars, e-collars, check collars, choke collars, prong collars, pinch collars, martingale lead or slip lead or similar style lead that does not have a stopper to prevent tightening around the dogs neck
Alcohol
- No alcohol permitted on the premises during the seminar times
Smoking
- No smoking is permitted on the grounds anywhere at anytime
Pegging down (applicable to Caboolture and Pine Agility Dog Sports venues in Queensland only)
- Under NO circumstances is ANYTHING to be driven or pushed into the floor of the arena The Caboolture arena has a water membrane under the surface and any object driven or pushed into it will damage the membrane Note that the water membrane is one piece and covers the entire floor of the arena. Any costs incurred because the water membrane is damaged will be the responsibility of the person responsible for causing the damage
- Pine Agility Dog Sports Club grounds have underground reticulation so no pegging is permitted
Personal items
- Your personal equipment and items are your own responsibility Do not bring anything of value (except your dogs)
- Do not leave anything over night
Parking
- All cars are to be parked in the designated car park area at the venue
Weather
If the weather looks like it will be warm you may like to consider:
- Wading pool
- Battery charged fans for your dogs
- Cooling coats and mats will be beneficial to keep your dogs comfortable
- Extra towels so your dog can have a swim in the dam and be towelled of before getting in their crates or cars
- Electrolytes if your dog is accustomed to consuming these
- Esky & ice pack to keep their treats cool and fresh
- Wire crate for air flow
- Wet towels to lie on in their crate
- A sturdy ice pack or frozen water bottle wrapped in a wet towel for your dog to lean against so it can to regulate its own body temperature
- Fresh water from home
- Accustom your dog to being hosed down and to swim in a wading pool
- Sunscreen for pink noses
- Frozen chicken or beef broth in ice cubes
- Check their body weight is on the lighter side
- Brush out their coats
- Non-fat treats
- Light and small portioned meals
Information in the site is subject to change without notice