Would you like to see how your dog would perform in a small trial atmosphere, that is more relaxed and friendly? Would you like to try to earn your first AKC agility title?  How about a prep for the following week’s Oriole AKC agility trial ? (note: closing soon!)

Join us for our AKC ACT Tests!

Patricia Dunseith will judge the events starting at 10 a.m. for the first walkthrough.  See our AKC Agility Trial Information page for information on entering.

What is an ACT Test?

The Agility Course Test (ACT) is an entry level agility event designed to introduce and welcome beginning dogs and their handlers to the AKC sport of agility in a fun, relaxed setting.  Any dog that has not earned an AKC agility title can earn an AKC ACT title!

Come out to ODTC on Saturday, Dec 2. Oriole will offer two rounds of AKC ACT1 and ACT2 Standard and two rounds of AKC ACT1 and ACT2 Jumpers with Weaves.

• ACT1 is designed for the beginning level dog to show beginning sequencing and performance skills.
• ACT2 requires an increased skill level shown by the additional obstacles to be performed.

You may enter your dog at any jump height you wish.

Who Can Participate in an ACT Event?

Any person with a dog that meets the requirements for a regular agility trial can enter these events (requirements available on www.akc.org).

• Dogs must be 15 months of age or older.
• Dogs do not need to be AKC registered at the time of entry.
• Dogs cannot have achieved any AKC Agility title other than an ACT 1.
• Dogs and handlers can skip ACT 1 and start right out in ACT 2.
• Dogs that are registered/listed with AKC can earn titles for ACT1 and ACT2.

When: December 8-10, 2023

Where: Oriole Dog Training Building, Halethorpe, MD

What: Limited-entry, one-ring trial with:

Classes: Friday evening: All levels – FAST + Time2Beat
Saturday: All levels – STD, JWW & FAST + Time2Beat + Premier STD
Sunday: All levels – STD, JWW & FAST + Time2Beat + Premier JWW

Judge: Megan Shepter Garges

Opening Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Method of Entry is First Received.

Closing Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023

See our AKC agility trial information page for more information, as well as links to our premium and the online entry system.

 Would you like to see how your dog would perform in a small trial atmosphere, that is more relaxed and friendly? Would you like to try to earn your first AKC agility title? 

Join us for our AKC ACT Tests with 

Judge Patricia Dunseith!

The Agility Course Test (ACT) is an entry level agility event designed to introduce and welcome beginning dogs and their handlers to the AKC sport of agility in a fun, relaxed setting.  Any dog that has not earned an AKC agility title can earn an AKC ACT title!

Come out to ODTC on two summer Sunday evenings to give it a try!

Oriole will offer two rounds of AKC ACT1 and ACT2 Standard on Sunday, Aug. 27 and two rounds of AKC ACT1 and ACT2 Jumpers with Weaves on Sunday, Sept. 10. Patricia Dunseith will judge the events starting at 6 p.m. 

• ACT1 is designed for the beginning level dog to show beginning sequencing and performance skills.
• ACT2 requires an increased skill level shown by the additional obstacles to be performed.

Who Can Participate an ACT Event?

Any person with a dog that meets the requirements for a regular agility trial can enter these events (requirements available on www.akc.org).

• Dogs must be 15 months of age or older.
• Dogs do not need to be AKC registered at the time of entry.
• Dogs cannot have achieved any AKC Agility title other than an ACT 1.
• Dogs and handlers can skip ACT 1 and start right out in ACT 2.
• Dogs that are registered/listed with AKC can earn titles for ACT1 and ACT2.
  
• Click here for more information on AKC ACT Tests: AKC ACT Test Flyer
• Refer to www.akc.org/events/agility/act-program for more information.

Jump Heights
You may enter your dog at any jump height you wish.

When and Where:
The ACT tests will take place at Oriole Dog Training Club 9 Azar Ct. Baltimore MD 21227.

• Sunday, August 27, 2023 • Two Rounds ACT 1 Standard and Two Rounds of ACT 2 Standard
• Sunday, September 10, 2023 • Two Rounds ACT 1 Jumpers with Weaves and Two Rounds of ACT2 Jumpers with Weaves

Building opens 5:30 p.m. • First briefing and walk-through at 6 p.m. 

How to Enter:

Please pre-register on the ODTC website. Payment not required until the evening of the event. Do not mail entries. To expedite registration, please fill out your entry form and bring with you that evening. 

PRE-REGISTER FOR EACH RUN HERE: (You need 2 rounds for a title for each level)

Sunday, August 27:
ACT 1 Standard Round 1
ACT 1 Standard Round 2
ACT 2 Standard Round 1
ACT 2 Standard Round 2

Sunday, September 10:
ACT 1 Jumpers with Weaves Round 1
ACT 1 Jumpers with Weaves Round 2
ACT 2 Jumpers with Weaves Round 1
ACT 2 Jumpers with Weaves Round 2

Click here for paper entry forms to bring to the ACT event: ACT Entry Forms

Do not mail entries. Entries will also be taken between 5:30pm and 6:00pm the day of the ACT Trials.

Cost:

$15 for first run, $10 for additional run (includes $5 AKC recording fee). Make checks payable to ODTC. Cash accepted, but please bring exact payment.

If any questions, contact Cindy Deubler at rosiepup@verizon.net.

This Fall the Club is making an important change to our Introductory Agility curriculum.

The Club’s curriculum is designed to ensure that each agility team is given the best chance to succeed in pursuit of their goals.  To ensure this happens, we believe that all teams should have a firm grasp on basic training concepts and address any potential issues prior to beginning their agility journey.  We believe agility excellence is a marathon, not a sprint!

To that end, effective Fall 2023, the prerequisite for Foundation to Dog Sports will be either 1) successful completion of Basic Obedience OR 2) CGC title OR 3) successful evaluation of your dog at Intro to Agility Night (registration details below).

Proof of successful completion of any of these three prerequisite(s) must be provided at the time of Fall registration.

Given the high level of interest in Introductory Agility classes, ODTC is offering:

Intro to Agility Night, August 13th from 6-8pm.

We will provide information on:

• Information on ODTC

• An overview of what skills a dog needs to successfully participate in an agility class

• Different Agility organizations for which ODTC offers trials

• Agility Rules

• A demonstration of Agility

• Discussion of supplemental agility resources (Online, Books, Videos)

• Home Training Equipment

• Evaluation of dogs for placement into Fall Foundations of Dog Sports (Max of 15)

Who Should Come?

 • Anyone curious about doing agility at ODTC is welcome to come and audit (leave your dog at home).   Register here:

 • Teams whose dogs have NOT completed Basic Obedience or a CGC and are considering registration for Fall ‘23 Foundations of Dog Sports at ODTC (bring your dog for evaluation -15 dog maximum). Register here:

We trust that implementing this change will ensure teams have a smooth progression within our Agility curriculum.  If you have questions or concerns about any of the above curriculum changes, please contact Cindy Deubler, ODTC Agility Training Director, at rosiepup@verizon.net.

The premium for the Friday, October 13, 2023 “Bay Cup” ISC trial held in Millersville, MD is now available and the trial is open for entry. Jan Egil Eide is the course designer (A2 & A3 courses plus finals) and Zach Davis will be the in person judge. Entries close on Friday, October 6.

The premium is now posted for our spring Artful Dodgers USDAA agility trial with Karen Gloor from Chandler, AZ judging. The trial is indoors, climate controlled on Sprinturf.

This trial features titling classes (Intro through Masters), Double Gamblers, plus a Grand Prix and Steeplechase for those still needing to qualify for the June Mid-Atlantic regional or the Nationals (Cynosport) to be held this year in Murfreesboro, TN.

We do plan to have our usual Preakness watching party after the trial again this year 🙂

Please see our USDAA Trial Information page for details.

Distance Seminars 
with Paula Goss
Saturday, January 14, 2023

There are two four-hour seminars:

The morning seminar focuses on training and enhancing basic distance handling skills for pre-novice and novice teams.

The afternoon seminar focuses on teams that have good distance handling skills but want to develop and enhance more advanced and independent skills on the course.

Dogs must be able to do all obstacles to participate in these seminars. Only one dog per handler per seminar.

Interested?  Click on the button below to get more information and links where you can sign up !

Oriole Dog Training Club presents

Six Agility Workshops
with Terry Herman
on 11/22, 12/13, & 12/20

Registration for all six workshops opens on:
Thursday, November 17 at 6am

Training Independent Contact Performance Workshop: Tuesday 11/22 4:00-6:00
How do you train contacts to ensure that you don’t need to manage them?  What should you be doing as you work on teaching your dog your contact criteria so that s/he can perform them independently?   This workshop will deal with training techniques for teaching independent contacts in order to allow the handler freedom to keep moving and do handling maneuvers while the dog does the contact correctly. **Handlers must have established contact criteria for all 3 contacts, and dogs must be able to do all 3 contact obstacles at full height. ** Priority will be given to Fall students from AG3 classes and graduates of AG2.

Tuesday, November 22 • 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Click to register

Proofing Independent Contacts Workshop (for Advanced/Masters Dogs): Tuesday 11/22 6:30-8:30

Can you run by the A-frame and do a front cross while your dog does a perfect 2o2o until released?  Can you blind cross your dog’s running A-frame without pulling him/her off?  Will your dog drive ahead of you the length of the dogwalk into a perfect 2o2o?  Can you rear cross the teeter while your dog drives to the end to a 4o or 2o2o position?  This workshop will use Exc/Masters level sequences to allow handling in order to proof the dog’s ability to meet contact criteria independently.  Dogs must have a good understanding of contact criteria for all 3 contact obstacles and handlers must have a good understanding of basic handling maneuvers. 

Tuesday, November 22 • 6:30pm -8:30pm
Click to register

Obstacle Commitment/Drive Lines Workshop: Tuesday, 12/13 – 4:00-6:00

Will your dog drive ahead of you to a jump, a contact obstacle, the weaves, a table, a tunnel?  Can you send your dog down a line of jumps without it turning back to you?   Will your dog move away from you laterally to an obstacle?  What can you do to increase your dog’s obstacle commitment?  ** Priority for this workshop will be given to graduates of AG2 and Fall participants in the AG3 classes.   

Tuesday, December 13 • 4:00pm – 6:00 pm
Click to register

Weave Entries & Exits Workshop (for Advanced/Masters Dogs):  Tuesday, 12/13 – 6:30-8:30 pm

Can your dog find weave entries independently from a variety of approaches?   Can your dog collect to stay in the weaves from a speed approach?  Can your dog complete the weaves while you cross or do other maneuvers to set an exit line?   This workshop will deal with a variety of weave entries and exits found at the Exc./Masters levels.  

**Prerequisite:  Dogs must be able to complete 12 weaves consistently. 

Tuesday, December 13 •  6:30pm -8:30pm
Click to register

The Ins and Outs of Tunnels: Tuesday, 12/20: 4:00-6:00

Can you send your dog to a tunnel?  Can your dog find the right tunnel entrance? Can your dog find a tunnel from the back?  Can you rear cross a tunnel without pulling your dog out?  How do you cue your dog to go straight, turn gradually or turn tight out of a tunnel?  Can your dog do a classic contact/tunnel discrimination correctly?   This workshop will deal with basic tunnel skills that are often overlooked. ** Priority will be given to Fall AG3 students and graduates of AG2.  

Tuesday, December 20 •  4:00pm – 6:00pm
Click to register

Discriminations (for Advanced/Masters Dogs): Tuesday, 12/20 – 6:30-8:30

Obstacle discriminations are a staple of higher level agility.  In this workshop we’ll use sequences to work on handling a variety of discriminations, including the classic contact/tunnel , tunnel/weaves,  jump/jump , tunnel/tunnel and other discriminations occurring on Exc/Masters level courses.  We’ll cover the  cues available to tell your dog which obstacle to take as well as how to set up lines to help your dog make the right choice.  ** Dogs must be able to do all obstacles at full height and without aids.  Handlers must understand basic handling maneuvers. 

Tuesday, December 20 •  6:30pm – 8:30pm
Click to register

Due to illness of the run-through organizer, tonight’s agility run-through is cancelled. Agility run-throughs are still scheduled for the following dates:

• Dec 23
• Jan 13
• Jan 30

More info on our agility run-throughs can be found on our run-through information page.

Have you heard about Barn Hunt and would like to learn more and even try it out?  Oriole (and the Oriole Rats!) are supporting an Intro workshop given by BHA judge and Oriole club member Colin Ratcliffe to be held at Branchwater Farm on Saturday, November 19 from 8:30 am-2 pm (lunch included).

After this workshop, you and your dog will be well prepared for Rat Instinct Tests and possibly even Novice level classes (our next Oriole Barn Hunt will be in March 2023, but there are other local trials about).

  Check out the details and how to sign up here!