1st Quarter Series 2016 National Dog Agility League

Playing with the NDAL is a simple matter. We’re running three separate leagues based on the size of the working space. So, if you have a working space big enough you can participate in any or all of the three leagues.

Each of the leagues also has a flavor or level of difficulty for the courses played.

50×50 ~ Focusing on international skills

50×70 ~ Focusing on masters skills

60×90 ~ Focusing on basic to intermediate skills (more emphasis on flow)

The series will run for three months. Below is a course map for each. Each has a unique downloadable scorekeeping worksheet.

Dogs must be registered with the National Dog Agility League. For now, the franchise clubs keep the fee or pass it along as a perk to your league players. You can download the registration form HERE.

All courses in the first series will be conducted under Top Dog Agility Players rules for performance. The Top Dog Rules and Regulations can be downloaded HERE.

50 x 50

Download the scorekeeping worksheet: HERE

This course is intended to allow the practice of “international” handling skills. The game is scored Time, Plus Faults.

50 x 70

Download the scorekeeping worksheet: HERE

This course is intended to test handling skills somewhere between an intermediate level and masters level. The game is scored Time, Plus Faults.

60 x 90

Download the scorekeeping worksheet: HERE

The focus of the 60′ x 90′ league is to provide smooth and flowing courses focusing on basic to intermediate skills. Of course there will be challenges …

That is not to say that this league is reserved for Novice players. That’s not the idea at all. At the end of the day we wanted a league offering that didn’t make people’s heads hurt when walking the course… preferring instead, something logical and smooth.

League Rules and Stipulations ~ 1st Quarter Series 2015

1. The league will run three months with a separate competition held each month.
2. Three distinct league competitions shall be conducted each month, based on the size of the working space and by level of challenge. The 1st Quarter Series shall be:50×70 ~ Focusing on masters skillsFranchise clubs are free and encouraged to participate in all three of the ongoing leagues.
3. 60×90 ~ Focusing on intermediate to masters skills (more emphasis on flow)
4. 50×50 ~ Focusing on international skills
5. Numbered courses and games shall be scored according to Top Dog Agility rules for performance. Any game can be used so long as placements are clearly defined and the game can be played by all participants in a timely fashion (about one hour).
6. For each of the three separate leagues team results and MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) statistics will be tracked by the League Secretary and reported back to the league membership at the termination of the league schedule.
7. The League Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining a roster ofw teams, posting results of league competitions and accumulated scores in a timely fashion. The League Secretary shall be eligible to participate in competition with one or more dogs.

Determining Team and MVP Scores

1. Team scores will be determined by placement and LPP earned by the top scoring five dogs for each participating franchise.
2. MVP scores will be determined by placement and total accumulated LPP. The team and dog with the highest accumulated points after eight weeks shall be determined the winner.
3. Ties between two or more teams shall be resolved by standing in secondary and tertiary league competitions.Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.
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December NDAL Game ~ Winter Series 2015

This is the final game of the 2015 winter series.

It is a simple (?) numbered course that is scored Time, Plus Faults.

Jumping Into the League

We welcome all new clubs who would like to establish league franchises. The National Dog Agility League stands apart from most agility organizations in the world. This is not a titling organization; and it’s really inexpensive to play.

Think of it this way… The National Dog Agility League is the only world championship forum to which all dogs are invited.

You can download the score-keeping worksheet for final game of the Winter 2015 series here: Scoresheet.

Results from the November league game can be found here: Nov Results.

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Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.

November League Game ~ Time Stands Still

The 2015 Winter Series shall be only two months, using a 50′ x 50′ working space. Refer to the League Rules.

The November game course map, scoring worksheet and current rosters has been sent out to existing franchise clubs on October 2.

Any new club interested in joining play can download the scorekeeping (Excel) worksheet: November scorekeeping worksheet. If you have any questions, contact the: League Secretary.

Time Stands Still

This is a game originally designed as a training protocol, specifically to teach and proof a 2-on/2-off contact performance. The training game has been elevated to a gritty game of competition.

Ostensibly this is a simple follow-the-numbers game. However, the game has special rules for timing. When the teeter has tipped (and is touching the floor) the time will stop. Once the dog leaves the ramp time will begin again.

Note that initially time begins when the dog first dismounts the teeter.

Since time is essential to the conduct of the game, the judge should personally carry and operate a stopwatch in order to use his own judgment in measuring the dog’s time to complete the course [and to what extent time stands still.]

Time Stands Still is scored Time, Plus Faults.

Blog1067 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.

Most Valuable Puppy (MVP) Fall 2015 Series NDAL

We are proud to announce the MVP of the Fall 2015 series of the National Dog Agility League:

The MVP dog is Kasey, a Border Collie handled by Laurie Bowen. Kasey scored 375 Lifetime Performance points, outscoring all other dogs in the league.

Kasey plays for Sit, Stay, ‘N Play in Stroudsburg, PA.

You can view the Top 100 dogs in the Fall 2015 Series: HERE.

Winter League Announcement

The 2015 Winter Series shall be only two months, using a 50′ x 50′ working space. The League Rules and Stipulations for the Winter Series shall be published no later than tomorrow.

The first game course map, scoring worksheet and current rosters will be sent out to existing franchise clubs on October 2. Any new club interested in joining play should contact the: League Secretary.

Time Stands Still

Click to download the November scorekeeping worksheet.

This is a game originally designed as a training protocol, specifically to teach and proof a 2-on/2-off contact performance. The training game has been elevated to a gritty game of competition.

Ostensibly this is a simple follow-the-numbers game. However, the game has special rules for timing. When the teeter has tipped (and is touching the floor) the time will stop. Once the dog leaves the ramp time will begin again.

Note that initially time begins when the dog first dismounts the teeter.

Since time is essential to the conduct of the game, the judge should personally carry and operate a stopwatch in order to use his own judgment in measuring the dog’s time to complete the course [and to what extent time stands still.]

Time Stands Still is scored Time, Plus Faults.

Blog1066 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.

October League ~ A Numbered Course

The final course of the summer series is a numbered course designed by Game Master Steve Schwarz.

Each of league clubs will get the scorekeeping workbook for October with their current rosters upon submitting the September league results. For anyone who’d like to establish a new league franchise download the scorekeeping workbook HERE.

The Catalog of Games

As league participation increases some clubs might be interested in weekly competitions that coincide with regularly scheduled classes.

With this in mind, the Catalog of Games has been updated with all National Dog Agility League games and courses that have published results. The courses are organized by the size of the field; so it should be relatively easy to find a challenging game or course that fits in your working space. Download the Catalog of Games HERE.

If dog agility is to remain a game we play with our dogs and our friends, we first want to shift the focus away from the infrequent and costly qualifying attempt to a light-hearted and weekly romp in the park. As well as being just plain fun, it league play also serves to strengthen relationships with our dogs. As we lighten up and get more chances to play the game, our mood lifts, our nerves settle, and our dogs have a much better time.

Running a league sounds very involved and time-consuming. But the benefits far outweigh your efforts. A wonderful sense of community is built around league teams. And every league course presents an abundance of training objectives.

Jumping in to the League

If you have interested in jumping into League Play, you still have time to play on the first course of the summer league. The workbook can be downloaded here: September League.

While it is too late to compete in the summer league, you are invited to run that course and record your scores with all previous competitors. The August workbook can be downloaded here: August League

The score-keeping workbook for the out-of-league course can be downloaded here: Pick-up Game

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Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.

September League Course

The September course is the second of three games or courses for the summer series. This is a numbered course designed by Wayne Van Deusen. The scoring basis is Time, Plus Faults.

New clubs are welcomed to join us in league play. Download the September Workbook (contains scorekeeping, course map, and briefing).

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Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.

Out of League Game

We’re adding pick-up game for National Dog Agility League clubs. Though results will not apply to the League underway, dogs still earn Lifetime Performance Points (LPP).

This is a numbered course that will be scored Time, Plus Faults.

The League has focused on and even specialized in International level skills and challenges. These days aside from the USDAA’s Masters Challenge class (and the new AKC class) we don’t really have the opportunity to hone skills that are common in Europe and are very likely to be featured when we send our World Team to Europe.

What might have been considered ugly or unsafe only a few years ago is fodder for the central challenge in the International-style course.

Jumping in to the League

The score-keeping workbook for this pickup course can be downloaded here: Pick-up Game

And… if you have interested in jumping into League Play, you still have time to play on the first course of the summer league. The workbook can be downloaded here: August League

New NDAL Clubs

We’re pleased to welcome Clermont Dog Training Club (near Cincinnati Ohio) and B&D Creekside in Latrobe, Pennsylvania to the National Dog Agility League. There are a couple more clubs which may join us.

I know this is short notice. On Tuesday, August 25 I will be in Latrobe to do a distance clinic and introduce the National Dog Agility League to agility fans at B&D Creekside. You should contact Darlene (arcmasterdarlene@comcast.net) if you’d like to come out to play with us. It will run from 6:30 to about 9:00 and should be priced very inexpensively.

We have only a few league teams so far, around the U.S. and also with clubs in Canada and Mexico. League scores are derived from the top 5 performing dogs at each club or franchise. So clearly it gives an advantage to a club to run league with a large number of dogs.

We’re working to create a coalition of clubs in the Ohio Valley that will get together for an annual championship tournament that owes no affiliation to any big agility organization. They have such a tournament in Florida. Every club sends teams of nine dogs & handlers broken up into 3‑Beginner; 3-Intermediate; and 3-Masters. The winning “team” is the aggregate score.

Here’s hoping you’ll join us on the 25^th!

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Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.

June 2015 National Dog Agility League Courses

We are pleased to present two courses for the month of June 2015 for league play. Our game designer is Seanna O’neill of Team Canada. Each is a numbered sequence designed for a 40′ by 60′ space; and each is scored Time, Plus Faults.

Download the scoring and course maps for each below. The courses are nested (run without the least movement of equipment). Both will count toward league final scoring.

060115B40x60

This is a short numbered course with very technical features of an International flavor.

060115A40x60

This is a short numbered sequence that features more flow; perfect for a more novice player or for an advanced player who wants to show off a bit of speed.

May League Course

We are entering results for our May league course. If for any reason you were unable to run the course in May, we will leave it open through the end June. The May league course was designed by Steve Schwarz for a 60′ by 70′ field; and is scored Time, Plus Faults.

Download the scoring and course maps below:

050215A60x70

League Business

The National Dog Agility League admittedly has a confusing presence on the internet we have decided to use a newsletter format to keep you informed on a month basis of the basic business of the conduct of the league.

Opt Out ~ If you would not like to receive these informational newsletters, please write me at Houston.Bud@gmail.com with a simple “I’d like to opt out” or “Darken my door no more” kind of message. I’ll take you off the list.

If you ARE going to play in the league (or desire to at some point), I need to collect a bit of important intelligence.

Field Size ~ What is the size of the field available to you.

Frequency ~ How often should league courses be published? Do you want to be in a weekly, or monthly, or twice-monthly league? Quarterly?

Content ~ What kind of games and courses should we be running? Rather than presenting a multiple choice list, you tell me. Do you want rough and tumble International Style courses? Do you want flowy and fun novice courses? Do you want games… or ordinary numbered sequences?

Limitations ~ We are considering limiting the league to 64 member clubs. Member clubs get a Yes/No vote on this principle.

Impressions ~ Tell me in concise language what your experience has been with the National Dog Agility League. What could we do better? What needs to be fixed?

Volunteering ~ If you would like an active Board position in the National Dog Agility League, please let me know what role you would like to take with the League.

* * *

Excuse the brevity of this Notice/Newsletter. It’s our first (and will probably be published verbatim on our Blog and on our FB page).

I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Bud Houston

Distribution

• National Dog Agility League member clubs
• Just about everybody who has ever indicated they are interested in the National Dog Agility League.

April 2015 League Courses

The Secretary’s Pick for the month of April 2015 will include two games, shown and described below. Please note that we’re still working on scores from our March competition. Those results will be posted soon.

04081560×60 The Box Game

Download Event Workbook ~ The workbook has the score sheet, the course map, and a briefing for this game. The Box game is a sequencing game that provides for bonuses for the dog working at a distance. The Box Game is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonuses. This course is designed for Novice dogs to be successful and test basic skills. However, the game invites handlers of very advanced dogs who want to shoot for the high score on a ripper race track of a course.

111612B60x90 Dare to Double

Download Event Workbook ~ The workbook has the scoresheet, the course map, and a briefing for this game.

Download Results ~ This game was originally played in November, 2012. You can download existing results here. Dare to Double is a dog’s-choice game. The objective is to score as many points as possible, repeating a doubling obstacle on course (traditionally the A-frame) as often as time allows. The dog risks losing half his points if the A-frame is faulted! The dog must get to the finish obstacle before course time elapses or be penalized. Dare to Double is score Points, Then Time. Blog999 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. The web store is up and running. www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, an invaluable reference to clubs engaged in league play.

New Events Posted: Oct 30, 2012

The new TDAP Secretary Picks are published on:

http://www.dogagility.org.

Opening Nov 30, 2012 ~ Closing Dec 21, 2012

113012A86x98 ~ A numbered course for an 86′ by 98′ space.

113012B40x40 ~ A game, the Minuet; for a 40′ by 40′ space.

113012C70x70 ~ A numbered course; designed for a 70′ by 70′ space; Flavor: Played  under the rules  of the Teacup Dogs Agility Association (TDAA).

I’ve really been looking forward to introducing the Minuet to the larger agility world. It is not really quite as simple as it seems.

Regards,
Bud Houston