Distance Line in Regular

[Karren E.]

When I started trialing in NADAC there was still a distance line in the Regular courses.  I think having that distance challenge turned my "old man" into the distance loving dog that he is (Chances is his favorite and most successful event).  Have there been any discussions about bringing that line back?  Passing the distance challenge in the Novice Regular courses was a big kick and a confidence builder for me and the dog. 

[Goldenbcagilitychamps]

I agree Karren,

That distance line is what pushed me to do more distance work with my guys (and consequently newer dogs <G>).  While I always did "Gamblers" in another organization I didn't teach distance as much as I did once I started NADAC!

I wouldn't mind it being back 

[Dave Worldsbesjrts Dad]

MSunday not in novice we need more new people

[TheQuestKnight]

IMHO, one of the foundation concepts of NADAC agility is SPEED and DISTANCE . . .

From my perspective, I'd be a very strong advocate for a 6 foot/12 foot/18 foot distance line in ALL classes for 3 "IN FLOW" obstacles in Novice/Open/Elite, except for Chances . . . Chances should be at a significantly greater distances . . .

Yeah, I know, this would turn a lot more people "off" to NADAC and make things worse in some areas of the country . . .

. . . but I'm a big advocate of NADAC being TRUE to it's "roots" . . . and after all of the "concessions" that they've made over the last several years or so, getting back to making teams EARN their titles and awards.  Most of the titles and awards that we and ours have earned, albeit at the lower levels in NADAC, have pretty much been a "cake walk" . . . all that we really had to do was get to enough trials in order to have sufficient opportunities . . .

I, for one, would like to see NADAC make the standards of qualification a bit more challenging to achieve . . . like they were in the good ol' days . . .

. . . but NOT more difficult on the dog in terms of jump heights, A-frame heights, etc.; but in terms of TEAMWORK standards . . .

. . . running on that imaginary thread, if you will . . .

Al & Pelli, who just like challenges because we need challenges because we can get lazy at times . . .

[Karren E.]

MSunday not in novice we need more new people

Are you saying that you think a little distance line in Novice Regular will scare people away???  The line was no where near the distance line of a Novice Chances course, it was just a little segment of the course with a distance line - probably no more than 10 feet (if that).  I don't see why that would scare anyone away.  JMO

[DebbieRodden]

Sorry, I have to disagree.  I started in NADAC in 2001 way before there was a distance line in Regular and I wasn't thrilled when it was added, it made it difficult for my deaf dog who was not a distance dog.  My current deaf dog has some distance, but I honestly do not want to have a distance line in every single class I run in.

I do like to have challenges, but have enough of them running a deaf dog without worrying about distance lines in every single class.  Obviously Chances is our hardest class and we are working on it, but it's nice to know that I don't have to do distance if I don't want to.  This weekend I am entered in everything except Chances and I like to have that choice.

Distance will never be our strongpoint and I'm ok with that, I accept things as they are and do my best to teach my dog what she is capable of learning, I do not want to have to constantly push her to do distance in every class.

Deb and Savannah

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

I tend to agree with Deb.  Chances is the game where those who want to do distance can do it.  I don't believe that it belongs in Regular.  Not every dog is going to be a great distance dog and should not be forced to do distance in every class.  If there is a bonus line in regular, you can choose to do it if you wish.  If there is no bonus line, you can do your own distance challenge if you wish. 

[Cheryl Gilbert]

I agree with Debbie on this.  I think for some dogs even what seems like a minimal line to many can be a real challenge.  I have an older, slow, small, deaf rescue dog that I enjoy running in 1 or 2 regular runs per trial.  She loves her time in the ring but I wouldn't be prone to enter those runs if there were a distance line on the regular course.  It would take the difficult to the impossible and I don't love paying money for impossible, especially with 3 other dogs competing in my famiy to pay for.  I choose not to enter her in chances because I know she doesn't have distance skills and realistically will never have distance skills but she has her superior novice jumpers and is 10 points short of her superior novice regular.  She has many great attributes but distance. 
You can always add distance skills of your own choosing in any run at any time and NADAC courses are pretty ideal for this...but I would strongly discourage mandating it anywhere except chances and championships. 

[Sharon Nelson]

You can always add distance skills of your own choosing in any run at any time and NADAC courses are pretty ideal for this...but I would strongly discourage mandating it anywhere except chances and championships.

I would have to agree.  I love distance, but it would not be in the best interest to require distance beyond Championships and Chances!

Sharon