NADAC Update - Gamblers and Regular Classes

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Upcoming changes to the Gamblers class

Let's Make it a Real Gamble

After much discussion, observation and testing, NADAC is excited to announce the implementation of a new combination Regular Agility/Gamblers class. Effective January 1, 2005, there will no longer be a stand-alone Gamblers class in NADAC; instead, each Regular class will include a built-in gamble sequence. This column explains the rationale for the change to a combined Regular/Gamblers class, highlights how the new class will work, and tries to anticipate and provide answers to the most likely questions which exhibitors will have about the change.

While the fundamental aspects of the sport of dog agility are the same across all venues, what makes NADAC unique is the emphasis on course design. Courses are traditionally fun and fast due to the flow and distance between obstacles. The goal is to maintain a competitive environment that tests dog and handler teams with appropriate challenges, while combining speed, accuracy and teamwork.

The four major components for a balanced NADAC course are:

Speed
Directional skills
Distance handling
Safety

NADAC courses should encourage and test the skills that reflect its philosophy. It has become increasingly apparent that both Regular and Gamblers classes, as they are currently structured, may not always provide the appropriate tests. Despite the stated requirement for "greater distance and directional control" at the Elite level, qualifying points can be earned on many Elite Regular courses without ever having a dog leave the handler's side. And the Gamblers class is most likely to result in runs which completely fly in the face of NADAC philosophy and course design guidelines. Judges struggle to design appropriate gambles which provide for flow in the opening, multiple entries into the gamble, and a gamble sequence which one would reasonably expect might be handled at a distance if it were part of a Regular course. Even the most well-designed Gamblers courses generate runs which make a NADAC aficionado cringe. In the interest of maximum point accumulation in the opening sequence, handlers often select paths, which include unsafe approaches to obstacles and do not demonstrate flow.

The New and Improved NADAC Gamblers

Under the new guidelines, judges will no longer design separate Gamblers courses and clubs will no longer offer separate Gamblers classes. Instead, each Regular course will have a designated obstacle sequence within the course for which a Gamble line will be placed on the ground to mark the handler restriction for the gamble. Because the gamble will now be part of the regular course, there will always be a logical, safe, flowing entry into the gamble

Dogs who are entered in both Regular and Gamblers may, depending on their performance, earn a qualifying score in just Regular, just Gamblers, both classes, or neither class, with a single run. How will this work? In order to qualify in Regular, the rules remain unchanged. The dog must complete the entire course with fewer than 5 total faults (course or time faults). The handler need not successfully complete the gamble (or even attempt it) in order to qualify in the Regular class. Thus, if a handler knows that his/her dog will not perform weave poles at the designated distance, that handler may ignore the gamble line and simply work on qualifying in the Regular class. Alternatively, a handler may earn a qualifying run in the Gamblers class despite faults elsewhere on the Regular course. For this to occur, the dog need only perform the gamble sequence as part of the Regular run, without fault and with the handler behind the gamble line. Thus, a dog, which goes off course early in the Regular course can get back on course and still try for the gamble. This may have the effect of discouraging handlers from immediately switching to a training mode at the first non-qualifying mistake; after all, there may be another Q on the line. A dog-handler team which performs the gamble at a distance without fault and earns fewer than 5 faults elsewhere on the Regular course will qualify in both classes. As the title of the column indicated, this will now be a "real gamble" because a handler may have to decide whether to risk losing a Regular qualifier to attempt the gamble, or whether to play it safe to earn that Regular qualifier without trying for the gamble.

At the Elite Level, dog/handler tests should require the demonstration of directional, discrimination, and distance control. Another aspect of this change will be for Elite level gambles to be designated as either jumping sequence gambles (GJ), weaving sequence gambles (GW), or contact sequence gambles (GC). Dogs will no longer be able to earn the coveted NATCH without demonstrating proficiency in all types of gambles. The NATCH is intended to recognize the well-rounded complete agility dog, the new requirements will better test the intended skills.

One of the skills that is paramount in NADAC philosophy is TEAMWORK. In the current version of Gamblers scoring, there is no penalty for lack of teamwork, as there is in all other classes. If the dog does not follow handlers directions in Regular Agility or any of the other classes, they would receive an off course penalty. In the current Gamblers class the requirement for teamwork in the opening sequence is not tested, and is, in fact rewarded by the giving of points for any course a dog chooses, regardless of the handlers' directions. On page 1 of the NADAC guidelines it states "The purpose of a NADAC agility trial is to demonstrate the ability of the dog and its handler to work as a smooth functioning team. The dog should be under control at all times and show a willingness to work with the handler." Many dog and handler teams meet this criteria while performing the opening sequence of the Gamblers class, but there is no consequences if they do not meet that criteria. Under the new format, all dog and handler teams must meet the basic criteria for "the purpose of a NADAC agility trial".

Added Benefits

Although not the driving force behind the decision, this change will be a considerable time saver. NADAC continues to grow at an incredible pace. Increasingly, entries at NADAC trials fill within 36 hours of the opening date. As the interest in NADAC has increased, clubs have responded by offering 2-ring, 3-ring and even 4-ring trials, yet entries continue to grow and so too does the length of the typical agility trial. By far, the most time-consuming class at any NADAC trial is the Gamblers class. Eliminating this class and incorporating the gamble test into the Regular class has the potential to shave several hours off the trial time.

The change will also eliminate the need for judges to shout out points and for a timer to blow a whistle, both of which are often unnerving for shy dogs. The absence of whistles will eliminate the concern about scheduling multiple rings so that gamblers classes never run simultaneously.

As with all changes, this will surely generate some controversy, concerns and complaints. It is hoped, that as exhibitors have the opportunity to experience this new combined Regular/Gamblers class format, they will embrace the change. As new questions are generated, answers will be shared on the NADAC agility list and incorporated into the NADAC Exhibitors Handbook.

FAQ (updated 7/15/04)

Q: What about dogs who are in one level in Gamblers and a different level in Regular?

A: There will be some choices (and "Gambles") to be made by exhibitors. For those who compete at the same level in Regular and Gamblers classes, the exhibitor can choose to enter both classes or either one. Regardless of their choice they will run in the Regular/Gamblers class at that level, however they will only be eligible to qualify in the class or classes for which they entered. An exhibitor who has a dog who competes at different levels in the Regular and Gamblers class will not run two times during the day; they will have to choose whether to try for the Regular class qualifier or the Gamblers class qualifier. A handler may not run a dog in the Elite Regular/Gambler class to try to earn points in Elite Regular and then run that same dog in the Novice Regular/Gambler class to try to earn points in Novice Gamblers.

Q: How will the new gamblers requirements for the NATCH affect dogs who have earned gamble points towards these titles but have not completed the requirements by January 1, 2005?

A: Until January 1, 2005, dogs will be grandfathered in under existing rules and no records will be kept regarding the type of gamble completed by any dog. After that time, the requirements for a distribution of jumping, weaving and contact gambles will take effect. For the total 120 points needed, 30 points needed to be successful Weavers gambles, 30 will be contact gambles, 30 will be jump gambles, and the remaining 30 points can be from any type of gamble. If a dog needs only 10 more gamble points to complete a NATCH, those points may be earned from any type of gamble; if a dog needs 20 points, they must be earned from 2 different types of gambles; if a dog needs 30 points, they must earn 10 points from each type of gamble; etc.

Q: Can a handler engage in training during the Regular portion of the course and still qualify in the Gamblers portion of the course?

A: No. While NADAC allows and even encourages training in the ring in the long-term interests of creating a better dog-handler team, qualifying runs cannot be earned if a handler switches to a training mode at any time during the run. Thus, a handler may not train during the Regular course before or after the gamble and still expect to qualify in the gamble.

Q: Will every Regular course be a combined Regular/Gamblers course?

A: Yes. At a typical 2-day trial, dogs are allowed to attempt up to two gambles for qualifying points. At check-in, the handler is given tokens or stickers to use. Exhibitors entering one Combo class will receive one token. Exhibitors entering more than one Combo class will receive additional tokens with the maximum being 2.

During the walk-through, handlers decide whether they want to attempt the gamble or not. If they do, they give one token to the scribe before the first dog runs. The scribe notes this on the scribe sheet. If they don’t want to attempt that particular gamble, they keep their token for a later gamble.

If there are 4 Regular/Combo classes during the 2-day trial, the maximum number of gambles any dog may earn qualifying points for is 2. Handlers may attempt all four gamble sequences, but they will only receive qualifying points for a maximum of two. Handlers may choose to use their tokens on the first day or the second day. Handlers not using all their tokens will not receive a refund.

To attempt the Gamble, the handler runs the Regular course but must stay behind the gamble line while the dog is in the Gamble sequence. If he is not going for the gamble, he can move wherever he wants. The Gamble is scored simply as Q or NQ. If a dog qualifies, he will receive a qualifying ribbon and 10 points in Gamblers. For Elite dogs, the type of gamble is also recorded (J, C, W for Jump/Contact/Weave).