Your First Trial Is Coming Up. Here’s What Actually Matters.
Car Sun Shade Options
Staples – For the Dog
Ready to Sign Up for Your First Trial? Here’s Exactly What to Do Next.
What To Do Next
- Register your dog for the Association that holds the Trial. (e.g AKC, UKC, Barn Hunt Association, NASDA, NACSW)
- Fill out the Entry Form to the dog club that is hosting the event.
- Many trials require paper entries (so find your checkbook and stamps!)
- If your sport is popular, read the trial details (Premium) on how entries will be selected, this will impact when you should submit your entry. (Random Draw, First Received, Day Of Entries, etc)
- You will likely receive an email after the entry ‘closing’ date with notice if you did or did not get into the trial.
- If you haven’t heard anything, contact your Trial Secretary
- Many folks whom hold trials also have day jobs, so be patient with response times.
- If you got into the trial (yay, congrats!) you will receive more details from the Trial Secretary a week or two before the event date.
- what time to check in, where to park, where to potty your dog, etc
Prep Before The Trial
What To Bring To The Trial
- Aluminet to cover your car and keep it cool (many people crate their dogs in their car, with the trunk/windows open)
- Camping Chair
- Portable Kennel (to crate your dog when waiting)
- Water bowl
- Treat bag with treats
- Extra dog food (you might be out/on the road during feeding time)
- Spare leash/collar (just in case)
- Poop Bags
Favorites – For the Doggo
Favorites – For You
A Beginner’s Cheat Sheet to Dog Sports Vocabulary
The Lingo
Trials = an event where a dog sport competition is held.
Classes = In the Trial there may be different “Classes” or types of competitions. (e.g. a “Class” for dogs performing at the Novice, Advanced, Master, levels) The types of Classes vary per sport.
Premium = A document (usually in PDF form) that contains details about the event.; Where the event is held, when you can submit your entry form, what types of Classes are offered, who the judges are, how much the event costs, etc. And very important, The last 2 pages usually contain a blank entry form to fill out.
Q = Qualifying = successfully completing the Class trial.
Legs = Many sports require achieving 3 Qualifying completions to move onto the next Class level (e.g. Moving from Novice to Advanced). Each Qualifying class would be a Leg.
FEO = For Exhibition Only, if you want to have the environment of the trial, without being part of the ‘competition’ you can sign up for classes as FEO. For example, if you and your dog want to practice in the ‘ring’ and environment, without the added mental pressure that come’s with a competition. FEO entries cost the same price as a normal entry, and spots are usually given only if there is empty space in the trial.
Suggestions for things to add? Drop me an email! (trish@fidoevents.com)