Once we could run elite/master’s-level courses fluently in class, we were off to compete.  She did relatively well, despite her tendency to knock a single bar fairly often.  All too soon I was faced with a choice – move to the next level, or stay in Novice.  Most of my friends encouraged me to move up.  I already had a slightly older dog who was tearing up the courses at the higher levels and really coming into his own.  Moving Storm up would make my life easier because they would both be at the same level.

Agility = A Cohesive Team

But… something was missing.  Even though she was running fast and qualifying more often than not, I frequently felt like I was just releasing an arrow on the course, or shooting a cannon.  I often had to make course corrections several times during a run when she started veering in the wrong direction.  I jokingly referred to her as the “one-bar wonder” because we so often missed qualifying on jumpers because of a single knocked bar.  The course corrections didn’t hurt us much – she was fast enough to more than make up any wasted time.  And then I realized – there was no true connection.

Despite the urging of my friends, I made the decision to keep her in Novice and focus on our teamwork and her confidence.  Full speed ahead, decent distance, and qualifying runs aside, she lacked the confidence to drive down a line of obstacles, or stay in obstacle focus and trust that I would cue her in time.  We earned our NADAC Novice Outstanding titles, and I still didn’t feel like we were firing on all cylinders together.  By the time we hit Novice Superior, I felt like we were starting to get a handle on things.

The Next Competition Level Decision

Then came Open.  With the increased complexity of the courses, I thought that we could still use some additional time to work on our connection as a team.  I decided right away that even though our qualifying rate was still good, I didn’t want to over face her by moving to Elite too soon, and we would stay at that level until we earned our superior titles there as well.   It was the best decision I could have made for her.

Six Criteria for Moving to the Next Level in Agility

So you have qualified enough times to move out of the beginning level – congratulations!  However, having the qualifying runs doesn’t necessarily mean that moving up is the right thing for your team, or that you are ready for the additional challenges of the next level of competition.  Here are some things to consider before you make the jump (excuse the pun).

Agility Skills – Dog and Handler

Does your dog have the skills required for the next level up?  Are your weave poles solid, since moving up usually means going from 6 to 12?  Can your dog independently perform the obstacles without you “babysitting” contacts or running with her to each jump?  Does your dog maintain your criteria for each obstacle regardless of your position or motion?  What about your handling skills?  Can you fluently perform the different crosses, remember the course, find the efficient lines, and direct your dog appropriately?  Be honest in assessing your team’s skills.  Even though there may be a lot of pressure to move to the next level, it may not be the best answer for your team.  However, if the answer to all of these questions is yes, that is a good start!

Teamwork in Competition

Are you and your dog working as a team on course?  Agility “Nirvana” is having the run where it feels like the dog is reading your mind.  That’s not always possible, of course, but the biggest measure of your readiness to move up to the next level of competition is whether you are communicating and working as a team.  Is the dog confidently following the path you are directing her to, or is she confused, requiring redirects or “fixes” (which I don’t recommend, but that’s a topic for a separate blog).  Does she understand your cues and appropriately check in with you for what’s next?  Do you feel a connection on the course?  If so, that is another indication that you are ready for a bigger challenge.

Distance on the Agility Course

Can your dog work away from you when necessary?  In my distance seminars, I talk about the advantages of being able to work with your dog at a distance – not only for the distance games like Gamblers or FAST, but also throughout the other classes.  (See this post for more information about distance in agility Five Skills For Distance on the Agility Course.)  If you are still running from obstacle to obstacle with your dog, it will be very difficult to be successful at the higher levels, where judges intentionally design sequences that are easier to accomplish if you have distance to work with.  Consider if your dog can work a reasonable distance away before deciding to move up to the next level of competition.

The Bottom Line for Moving Up in Agility

Each dog and team should be considered individually.  We all have separate journeys through our agility career, and there is no “one right answer” for every team.  My first agility dog appeared to be “born to run agility” and got his first couple of titles at his second competition.  I moved him up fairly quickly based on our work as a team and his ability to succeed without stress at the higher levels.  Agility dog number two took a completely different path and stayed at each level until she earned her superior titles.  It would have been a disaster to move her up sooner, as we just weren’t a solid team at the beginning.  Use the criteria above to determine your readiness to move up to the next level of competition.

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Cover photo: Personal photo

First, sixth, ninth photos: Personal photos

Second, third, seventh, eighth, eleventh, twelfth photos: Courtesy of Dog Agility Photos for Fun

Fourth, fifth, tenth photos: Courtesy of Stover Photography