Why NADAC?

[Destiny]

I am new here, and I have just decided that I am going to be competing in NADAC with my German Shepherd Dog, Border Collie, and my Doberman Pinscher.

The reason why I'm going with NADAC is not only does it look fun, but it's the closest agility trial to me. Which, these trials are held in Texas and I'm in Louisiana. Which is okay of course, because I have family and friends all through out Texas where the trials are being held. So it works out great! I am also a little curious as to why there are no teeters, tables, tire jumps, and only the dog walk and a-frame in NADAC (for the contacts)?


Anyways, I'm curious...Why did you choose NADAC??

[ampezz]

First reason - when I started mixed breed dogs were accepted in NADAC but not in another venue that runs locally. I was new and had no idea the difference between venues like I do now, so that was reason number one because my dogs are mixed breed rescues.  Why I stay - love NADAC purpose and mission. Love that safety is put first. Love that veteran dogs and handlers are accepted and encouraged. Love watching distance work. Love the emphasis on team.  Trials are fun and relaxed, and you get more runs for your buck. Love the helpful attitude of handlers, judges, and other NADAC folks. Love the emphasis on team success and not competition - although there is a level of competition involved, its not cut throat. Love the supportive attitude, which has been an inspirational life changer for me. And lastly, my favorite color is purple.

Great question!  I don't post on the forum a lot but felt a strong need to respond to this question, as I am frequently defending NADAC in my area, due to another venue having a large and aged presence. Welcome!

[Audri, Cee Cee, Lily, Toto, and Calypso]

I kind of fell into NADAC.  The club that I began training with was a NADAC club.  At the time, I didn't even know that there were different types of agility.  After I began competing, I stuck with NADAC because I liked the style of the runs without a lot of tight turns.  I also like the variety of the games even if my dogs don't always do well in them.  Mostly, I like the people.  I have never met a group of more supportive people.  Even though we compete against each other, we are all there for the same reason--to have fun with our dogs.  I have never had anyone say a negative comment to me even after a "bad" run.  The judges are NOT "stuffy" or stand-offish at all.  They are friendly and supportive.  Most congratulate you on good runs and will happily talk to you if there is time.  I was at a trial last weekend and there was an event that is relatively new to our area.  The judge took plenty of time to explain the rules of the game to everyone.  He also congratulated each and every competitor on the run as they came off the field.  Everyone left with a very positive feeling regardless of the outcome.

[stacey s]

Why NADAC?

NADAC is the only venue in which I choose to compete in dog agility.

In the past, at the beginning of my joining the sport, I competed in AKC and NADAC and dabbled in some other venues.

It has been my experience, and I started showing my dogs in 1996, that the people and the atmosphere at NADAC events everywhere is fun and the focus is positive. 

Most competitors in my area of the country are a very supportive group of people, no matter what venue.  In other areas, I have experienced cut throat competitors who were extremely negative and did not really seem to care about their dog's experience.

NADAC competitors from any part of the country are such a great group of people.  NADAC as an organization is focused on safe fun for the human and canine member of the agility team.  I really appreciate the safe part of the equation.  I want my dogs to be happy and competing in agility into the ages that most other venues competitors are retired. 

I also choose to compete in NADAC because it is the only venue that recognizes distance handling and has awards that acknowledge that training committment.  It is called the Bonus Program.  I am addicted to this aspect of agility and it has become my passion.

Thanks Sharon Nelson and all the other people in the organization  who have made NADAC what it is now.  Like I said, I only compete in one venue and NADAC is it for me.


Stacey Sullivan

[LeeAnne McAdam]

For me it's the emphasis on safety for the dogs and the atmosphere at the trials I attend.  I have done a couple other venues in the past, but I am NADAC only now even though that means we have to travel a bit more.  I feel like here I have the most options to make decisions I feel are in my dogs' best interest.  I want to be the best I can be, but I mostly want to have fun with my dogs, and although we are often surrounded by some serious talent, we are rarely confronted with serious attitudes.
 
I love that we can go to trials where people will actually go out of their way to accommodate others and where everyone appreciates not only the good runs but also what sometimes turns out to be only a good effort.  If you want it, you can find lots of opportunities to get help from the top people in the sport, from Sharon or whomever you like, and they all really want to see you succeed.   

I guess it comes down to best for my dogs, supportive atmosphere and fun!  Oh, yeah...and I get to run a lot!  So welcome, Destiny.  I hope you end up loving NADAC and getting as much out of it as I do!

[Heidi Konesko]

I used to do two other venues as well as NADAC.  When I got into the highest level in each with my first agility dog it was really obvious that she liked the flowing NADAC courses much better than the tight, twisty courses in the other venues.  It took me a couple of years to realize that, but eventually I clued in.  At the same time the number of NADAC trials increased in my area, so it was an easy decision to make.  And then with my next dogs I wanted them to have the same type of courses to run.  And then I really got to like training for distance sequences. 

[Destiny]

I too really like how my un-registered dog can enter NADAC trials and such! I am so, so, so, anxious to trial with dogs' that I could cry. Ha ha ha!

[Linda W. Anderson]

Simple - my dogs like NADAC best!  (for all the reasons already stated)
Linda

[Janice_Shavor]

In my area, north Alabama, we had no local NADAC trials until maybe 1999.  Even then, I remember coming off the course with my dog and ALWAYS saying "That was fun".

Then I started agility with my 3rd Corgi.  She was my humility girl.  What do you mean I cannot get her to sit or down on the table!!!  Then I noticed that on a NADAC course, she knew by the 3 obstacle which venue she was running and looked at me with that big silly corgi grin and kicked in the afterburners just for fun.

She decided my venue.  NADAC along with the other venues has changed since '99 but NADAC never changed the fun of the run.  Right now, I will do some of one other venue when it is local since the jump height is the same but since I do have to watch entry $$s and travel $$s, NADAC is my primary venue.

Love it.

[AgilityRocks!]

Well I had a choice between AKC and NADAC in this area.  I attended several trials before ever trialing with my dogs and the NADAC crew we have here in Montana is one of the most supportive group of folks I've ever met.  I saw a couple bonus runs one weekend and knew this was the venue for me.   

I feel like NADAC challenges me more distance wise than AKC ever could. I LOVE the lack of teeters and tables.  To be frank, the slatted dog walks and a-frames scare me to death.  All I see is broken toenails and toes!  I feel like my dogs are safer and I get to see friends wherever we trial.  I'm attending my first EVER champs this year and can't wait.  I'm so thankful for this venue and for the wonderful group of people I've met through it!

Even if you're not ready to trial, I'd go attend one and get to know the group.  That was one of the best things I did before running my crazy coonhound.  At least when she was zooming the ring I knew I was surrounded by friends

[jrbordenave]

Hi Destiny,

I don't know the exact reasoning behind NADAC not including the teeter, tire, and table. I can tell you why I'm glad that they do not include them.

1) Upon entry the teeter and dog walk look very similar to the dog. A veteran dog will learn the command to differentiate between the two. A dog in training especially a fast one, can be in for a big surprise if they are expecting a dog walk and suddenly the apparatus drops. I prefer that the apparatus not move.

2) The opening of the tire is the same size for a Jack Russell as it is for your Doberman. I witnessed a larger dog misjudge the tire and get hung-up. Thankfully it was unharmed.

3) The table is just silly.

Those are my thoughts. I would guess by my experiences in dealing with NADAC is that they are not used because of the well-being and safety of our dogs.

Joe, Sadie & Abbey

[DataHound]

Destiny:

The short answer for why I compete in NADAC is because it is the best venue for my youngest dog. I started doing NADAC when my older dog received her C-ATE in CPE figuring it was time for new challenges. In addition my young dog had just started competing in CPE but would not be able to compete in CPE during the winter. At the facility where I compete, in winter two rings are running side by side at the same time. This level of noise and commotion is way too much for my young dog handle. In contrast for the NADAC trials, there is just one ring and he can handle that. Beyond just the better environment for my young dog, the style of the courses suited him better - open and flowing. The tighter courses in CPE can be demotivating. I have not run USDAA or AKC with him but as these are generally large trials in my area they probably would not be the best environment for him either. Further I would have to have him measured which would be a challenge given his fear of people. I did not have to measure him in NADAC as I entered him as Skilled. Originally I thought I would just do NADAC as a way to boost his confidence. I have stayed with NADAC because, for many reasons, it is the best place for my dog.

Sandy Taylor

Sacramento

[bill fehn]

I do more NADAC than any other venue, but it is not the only one. Like many others, we started in NADAC before we knew there was anything else.

The teeter and tire were removed for safety. Other organization are also concerned about the safety of the tire and some are changing to a breakaway tire.

Is the table silly? Some may think so. Not so much now, but when we started, it was my favorate obstacle. First, my dog was good at it. Don't laugh many are not. Second, if the table was somewhere in the middle of the run, it gave me five seconds to get into position to handle the second half of the course. I do distance work because I have to regardless of the venue. I find some of the courses in other venues actually more distance friendly than most NADAC courses. There are no special awards, but many of the other handlers are still amazed when I don't leave the start line or just stay in the middle of the ring.

Good luck and have fun,

Bill

[Kathy Phelan]

When we began agility my mini Aussie was barred from participating in AKC events so we were couldn't compete in the most available venue in our area. We were welcomed with open arms by NADAC. Unfortunately there are only 3 NADAC trials per year in our area so right away I began traveling to other states to participate in NADAC trials. Everywhere we have traveled for NADAC: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Arizona and California, we have been welcomed and supported and have had wonderful experiences. My pup, Dusty, loves to run, and prefers to run at a pretty good distance from me (when I get too close she barks in protest) and boy does she bark if the course is twisty and turny.) We have participated in a few other venues: USDAA, CPE and AKC (now that they allow all dogs to play) They're pretty fun, too, but the camaraderie, support, and encouragement NADAC participants offer creates the perfect home for us. I train with AKC and USDAA competitors and will always support them and even will occasionally  play in those venues, but NADAC is the perfect fit for us and the only venue I'll travel to participate in. NADAC is all about teamwork, and the well being of the dog is front and center of the NADAC philosophy.  I'm a NADAC aficionado through and through.

[Merri]

NADAC was our first trial sort of by accident. It just happened to be the first up when we decided to do our first trial.
The local NADAC group is friendly and supportive. 
The judges are friendly and enthusiastic.  At our first trial, the judge asked if there was anyone new to NADAC.  She actually stopped to talk with us and encourage us.
Working more distance.  It helps build confidence in our dog and will allow my husband to run with her even with his arthritis.
The group that puts on most of our NADAC trials is well-organized and things tend to run smoothly with an eye to the people attending.
There is a variety of runs at every trial and we do not have to sit around all day for few runs.

I could probably give you a lot of reasons, all kind of deeper reasons, but it all comes down to the fact that we do NADAC because it is fun-- fun for the dog and fun for us.