Intro to Agility

[Sharon Nelson]

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.

As we have posted, as of Jan. 1, 2015, Intro can be offered on an "all" or nothing basis.  You either offer the Intro level or you don't.  You can't pick and choose which classes Intro is offered in 2015.  It actually makes a lot of sense to either offer Intro or don't offer Intro.  It is a level just like Novice, Open and Elite and you don't get to pick and choose which classes those levels will be offered or not.

Sharon

[Shirley Wallace]

We plan to offer Intro at our 2015 June trial in Wrenshall, MN.  But just out of curiosity, how does Intro Weavers work?  I know there are no weaves in Intro Regular, but can you run an Intro Weavers with no weaves???   
Shirley

[Sharon Nelson]

We plan to offer Intro at our 2015 June trial in Wrenshall, MN.  But just out of curiosity, how does Intro Weavers work?  I know there are no weaves in Intro Regular, but can you run an Intro Weavers with no weaves???   
Shirley

Intro Weavers has one set of 6 poles.

Sharon

[Jeannie Biggers]

Intro is an amazing addition from NADAC!!  We added it every class every trial since April and we have seen our Novice class now growing because those teams are gaining confidence, speed, and skills from Intro.   I truly believe we wouldnt have gotten most of these teams to stick it out if they had to do Novice right off... they are successful, they are having fun, the dogs are having fun, and THEY ARE GETTING RIBBONS AND Qs!!! 

Thanks NADAC for helping us get people into the sport just when we needed it!!!

Jeannie
GotDog? Agility

[Pam Kaye]

I attended a trial two weekends ago that offered Intro in all classes.  The organizers were thrilled with the response they had gotten and the number of entries they had at that level.

At the end of the month I'll be attending a trial that's offering Intro in all classes as well. 

I'm loving it with my dog that has only begun trialing recently.  My knee loves the courses, too.  And the courses are very well nested and do afford some real and appropriate challenges.

[Team Twodog]

I don't attend trials that don't offer Intro any more, that's how important an addition to NADAC I think it is. 

Having Intro is almost like embedding a fun match within a trial. Intro has so many uses I could go on for pages listing them all. I was a confirmed skeptic when Sharon first floated the idea, but as usual, her brilliance was soon revealed.

[DeafSheltieMom]

I have been doing Intro with my baby-brained papillon Tesla since July...  it has been the BEST thing for us as a team, as she gains confidence and ring savvy, and I learn to handle a race car .  We just got back from the LVDICE trial where I suggested they offer Intro, and the entries (and feedback) were very positive!  I'm so very grateful to NADAC for giving us an APPROPRIATE place to develop into a TEAM.
-Dayle and Tesla

[quamashbcs@yahoo.com]

I am also staying away from trials that don't offer Intro (and I am making sure they know why). The extra course builds do add to the trial day but around here we have more Intro dogs than Novice dogs in some classes (which just adds to the success of the trial and bodes so well for the future of NADAC). Like Kim I could go on and on about the benefits of Intro but will step off my soap box now....

[Sharon Nelson]

The increase in the number of runs speaks volumes about how people feel about Intro.  Many clubs now have a higher entry in Intro than any other level!

I LOVE Intro.  What a wonderful for starting a dog out in a successful, low stress run!  The handler can really focus on that connection and have a great experience for both the dog and handler!

Love it, love it, love it!!

Sharon

[LeeAnne McAdam]

I have only been to a couple of trials where Intro was offered, but it was great fun watching those new teams having so much success and coming off the courses so pleased with each other.  I think it's a great invention and well worth the effort!

[Nicky wise]

We love the Intro here in Australia , so great for beginners and also those dogs that are slowly coming into retirement, or for the handler . Best thing ever


Nicky&Grace

[mephalon]

My 18 month old is starting in Intro next month and we can't wait!   

However I have also found a different use for Intro.   My Rox is in Elite in everything but Regular (N), Weavers (we don't enter) and Chances (Open).   I promised her that after she got her Novice Triple Superior she would not have to weave again (sometimes we see them in Chances and I ask her to try, if she does them great if not we go on but still great).

I enter her in Intro Regular to practice our distance skills.  I create my own bonus line and see how we do-  the courses lend themselves to distance and we both love it!    So Intro is not just for newbies.

[Janice_Shavor]

The Canine Cruisers trial the first weekend in Nov offered Intro for Regular, Chances, and Jumpers.  This made it one of our most fun trials ever.  The Intro numbers were OK, the Day of Trial entries really helped (competing venue trial 2 hours away), but the best was watching those first ever teams Q or do really well!!

We will offer it for all classes next Spring.  I have retired from course building several times, but I will jump in to build for Intro.

[Marcy Matties]

And I've been using some of the Intro courses to practice distance in training - both backyard and at the training field.  Really helps to be able to "chunk" small portions of a potential course to focus on the distance skills we need work on - weaving going away, coming towards me and then turning away, etc.  I could just setup a portion of some bonus course, but having the Intro courses already there makes it easier in my feeble mind 

I've also used some of the Intro courses for the same purpose with the competition class I teach.  I make those handlers work more distance without the "pressure" (self induced of course) of attempting an entire course.  They are often amazed at what their dog will do when they just trust them.

My 18 month old is starting in Intro next month and we can't wait!   

However I have also found a different use for Intro.   My Rox is in Elite in everything but Regular (N), Weavers (we don't enter) and Chances (Open).   I promised her that after she got her Novice Triple Superior she would not have to weave again (sometimes we see them in Chances and I ask her to try, if she does them great if not we go on but still great).

I enter her in Intro Regular to practice our distance skills.  I create my own bonus line and see how we do-  the courses lend themselves to distance and we both love it!    So Intro is not just for newbies.

[Sharon Nelson]

Marcy, I agree!  I think that many are really missing out on one of the greatest opportunities for Intro.  I have used it to prepare my "not yet" Novice dog and also an older dog to the "feel" of bonus work.  To be able to take an older dog out and work a shorter course and be totally connected to the handler without the tougher discriminations and longer courses is a real plus for distance work!!

I wish that more people that are looking at getting into bonus work would look at it from the dog's perspective and spend some time in Intro and be totally successful there before stepping out onto those Elite courses to try their first bonuses!!  You place yourself on the Intro course where you want and then increase the distance as you get more experience at being successful at those bigger distances!  Increases speed and confidence!

Sharon