Intro to Agility

[Sharon Nelson]

So if my dog is entered in 3 novice classes can he also be entered into a intro level class at the same trial on the same day?

First, there is not an "Intro Class".  You could be entered at the Novice level in some classes and in the Intro level in a different class.  It is the same as being in Novice Jumpers and Open Chances.  You can always be in different levels in different classes.

You cannot enter two levels of the same class, such as Novice Jumpers and Intro Jumpers, but you could enter Intro Jumpers and Novice Touch N Go.  Different levels, different classes.

Good luck!

Sharon

[dogrsqr]

We are thinking of offering Intro level in some classes at our next trial.  One question I anticipate from exhibitors is ..... if you start out at the Intro level do you need to get Intro titles before you can move to Novice?   This might steer some folks away from Intro if there aren't enough opportunities offered.

Thanks,

Gina Pizzo

[Sharon Nelson]

We are thinking of offering Intro level in some classes at our next trial.  One question I anticipate from exhibitors is ..... if you start out at the Intro level do you need to get Intro titles before you can move to Novice?   This might steer some folks away from Intro if there aren't enough opportunities offered.

Thanks,

Gina Pizzo

No, there is no titling requirement for Intro.

Interestingly, we just had a trial that had more Intro entries than any other level, including Elite!!

Sharon

[hppytail]

Hi there,
We were at a trial where Intro was offered. I cant tell you how much my little dog improved in confidence as the weekend went on. I will say, however, that the clubs need to be aware of the jump height rule. This weekend was my friends very first nadac trial. She entered her 20" dog in 12, and was told it had to be regular jump height for the dog.  She has one bitch she hasn't OFA'd, and really wanted her to jump lower. Another off duty judge agreed that you couldn't just pick your jump height. It was a wonderful trial, very much enjoyed, great club. This isn't meant as a gripe, just drawing attention to the fact that this isn't familiar with some clubs and even judges

[gm5bkc]

Thank you, Sharon, for starting the Intro level !!

Last weekend my wife Merri and our special needs dog Hildie ran their first VT course, the Intro Weavers.  And they got a Q !!

Agility has changed Hildie's life.  She is much like an autistic child and our vet told us years ago that she would be on anti-anxiety medicine for life (Hildie is now 6).  We got another dog, Katie, 3 yrs ago and I started taking agility lessons with her.  Hildie also wanted to play and now loves tunnels and jumps, but it is hard for her to focus during long sequences.  We trained both dogs every day with weaves in the living room, and now even Hildie does them well (most of the time)  :-)   AND, Hildie was taken off the medicine 2 yrs ago!

Anyway, last weekend I tried the Intro jumpers course with Hildie but she ran past the last jump.  She follows Merri better than me, so we setup the Intro weavers and Merri and Hildie did it !   

[Linda W. Anderson]

This is such good news for you, your wife and your pups!  Congratulations on your accomplishments!
Linda

[Merri]

Thank you Sharon for starting the new Intro level and including it in the VT program.  As my husband said, it is perfect for our special needs dog Hildie..and for me.   With my bum ankle, I may never be able to "run" (more like shuffle or hobble around)  courses longer than the Intro and maybe later Novice level.  It is so wonderful to be able to do do something myself with my sweet dog that she can handle -- and I can too.   For years I have attended all the classes, practices, seminars and trials of our other dog, Katie, but I have not been able to do anything official because of Hildie's handicaps and mine.

I would add to my husband's comment that "focus" with Hildie has a lot to do with her fears of the world, people, any movement or sound or change in routine.  It is a lot different and more extreme than Katie's growing focus. Hildie's issues are more than fear --which is overwhelming in itself.  When her fear level drops, she then has a lot in common with the autistic son of a friend.  That is the best way to describe it.

The new Intro class is a great motivation to just get started.   This weekend I ordered some purple shorts for future Intro VT runs.  :-)

[Deb Maicach]

I know I'm late to this post, but I just want to add my THANK YOU for the Intro Class. It's the BEST THING ever that NADAC (read Sharon Nelson) has introduced. Intro Class is not only great for our babies, but it's also great for: 1) Veteran dogs who still want to play. They can collect NADAC points and still play! 2) Elite dogs practicing Extreme Distance. The handler simply stays farther away on a simplified course. 3) Baby dogs of course. 4) Experienced dogs with ring stress. The simplified courses alleviate so much of the ring stress! Thank you Sharon! I and the IG crew thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

[ykozuki]

Someone may have asked this already...but is there any talk to reduce the minimum age requirement for Intro class?  I am just curious. Thanks.

Yoriko

[DebbieClark]

We love Intro too   

My little Roxie, did amazing at U2 Kan Do Agility this past weekend.  She Q'd 5 out of 6 runs and earned her very first title in Intro Chances.  She got spooked by a loud bang right before her last Chances run, but recovered   I am so proud of her!!

Thank you Sharon & Becky

Debbie & Roxie

[DeafSheltieMom]

I want to thank NADAC and Sharon (and her tireless crew) in developing the Intro level!  My baby dog Tesla ran her first trial a few weekends ago...  and she did great!  Few Qs, as we are still working on "turns" (she runs a course like a race car, straight and fast... turns are HARD  )  Last night, she ran in her first mini-trial, in Intro EGC Gaters.  She improved considerably from her first trial, with close to 100 DRIs!  Would have been if we weren't "turn" challenged (darn that barrel wrap!  Guess what we're working on this week!  My timing, and her collection).  Confidence is not a problem with her, but WE as a TEAM are definitely a work-in-progress as Mom learns to handle a Maserati...  thanks again for giving us a place in a real trial to work on developing as a team, and keeping her confidence high.
-dayle, Tesla (Taz to her bestest friends), Alva & Hutch

[Sharon Nelson]

Someone may have asked this already...but is there any talk to reduce the minimum age requirement for Intro class?  I am just curious. Thanks.

Yoriko

Not at this time.

Sharon

[kmricketts]

Sharon, in an earlier post you had indicated that starting January first, 2015, Intro Level must be offered in all classes at a trial or not at all.  We're starting to work on our February trial and need to know if that is still going to be the rule or if it has changed.

thanks,
Karen

[DeniseK]

I would like to say THANKS for adding the Intro level! It's great for green dogs as well as senior dogs. I have done a few trials in this level and really love it! 

[Karin Bell]

Our Club, Ready 2 Run, is also working on its plans for 2015.  We would like to know what the decision is on offering the Intro Level in 2015.  Can we pick and choose what classes we offer Intro Level?  We like this option because some classes make more sense to offer at the Intro Level than others. 

Thanks in advance for this information.