Days are long at Champs. Starting usually at 7 a.m. with announcements and walk thrus (so you get there earlier than that to get your dog settled) and you could be running or volunteering until 9 or 10 p.m. (or later, sometimes, I've heard tell). If you have an RV you can go "home" and relax during your down times, but the rest of us and our dogs are there for the whole time. Dogs are Not allowed in the arena's grandstand, so they spend a lot of time wherever you are "set up." You will be doing other things--in the arena for announcements, walk thrus, watching runs, volunteering, shopping, so the dogs need someplace to hang out and, hopefully relax. Some venues don't have big open spaces, like is often available for a regular trial for crating, but DO have stalls. So you can rent a stall for the week (or share with a friend) and set it up for you and your dog's comfort. The options on how you use them vary and if you chose to decorate--I'm not the only one I've seen with a folding recliner for naps!! Some dogs may relax a little better closed off in their "space" so the stalls work great for that. Just whatever arrangement is most comfortable for your team. However Chris said apparently this venue Does have a big open space if you want to use it instead for "normal" crating at no charge. You could do a set up with crate/expen whatever you use at a typical trial. It Would make decorating more difficult, though certainly not impossible!
Does that help?
Vicki
