YouTube

Dog Agility News

⟨ Back to All News

Which agility course do you like better?

akc course design dog agility course map open intermediate advanced

"Stuck in the middle again..."

That's what a handler once told me while describing their experience in the Open/Advanced/Intermediate "middle" competition level agility classes.

And if you ask most agility judges, it's not unusual to see a lower qualifying rate for these classes as well.

So when this week the AKC announced a reduction in course design elements for the Open level, I thought more handlers would be thrilled with the change.

I was wrong!

I've learned that people generally fall into one of two camps:

  • The be-better-mentality where teams should train to the current number of challenges presented; or
  • The it's-too-tough group who feel the number of challenges presented is not level appropriate.

So, I dug up a REAL course from 2012 and did a little course designed magic...

Ignore that obsolete chuteπŸ˜‰ (or better yet, replace it with a tunnel and start training) because this is the perfect course to decide if that extra side-switch (which is currently required) at #11-13, makes or breaks what some have called the purgatory "middle" level.

You decide. Which course is more appropriate for the "middle" level?

  • 1st up, the original Open course which has 3 side switches; or
  • The 2nd revised course with the soon-to-be 2 side switches (1 less side switch).

The original or revised?

 

Stay connected with news and updates!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.

We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.