AKC Agility Judges Guidelines

Maintaining required equipment for the class level:
Occasionally you will encounter equipment that is inadequate. It is important
to fix, modify, or otherwise construct a solution that is safe and reasonably
within the obstacle specifications in the Regulations so that the show can go
on. Do not use equipment that cannot be made safe. Every attempt should be
made to modify the equipment so it can be brought into reasonable compliance,
especially with regards to safety. You should make it clear to the hosting club
and exhibitors that the AKC reserves the right to disallow scores and discipline
the club if mandatory equipment cannot be used. Often an exhibitor or vendor
has equipment with them or close by that can be borrowed, thus avoiding
the problem for the day. If the class must be run without mandatory pieces
of equipment, the judge must file a report with the AKC office and the AKC
Director of Agility.
Solutions to equipment problems:
• Dog walks that have too much flex in the ramps can be stiffened by
propping boards or PVC poles under each board.
• Seesaws that don’t tip properly, or that don’t return after tipping, can be
modified by adding weight to the underside of the board.
• Closed tunnels with fabric chutes that become wet and impassable in the
rain can be taken care of in several ways. The fabric may be reduced in
length as listed in the Regulations, or a steward can be placed at the end
of the fabric, elevating it slightly so that the fabric is not sticking to itself.
In this case, the steward should be to the side of the chute that the dog is
not likely to turn towards upon exiting, and the steward should release
the chute as the dog goes through. Individual handlers can request that no
ring steward be by the chute during their run at their own risk.
• Tires with frames that are not very stable must be weighted, staked, or
duct taped to the running surface so that the frames are unlikely to tip
over if hit by the dog. Tires should be attached to the frame to allow
some give if hit by the dog.
• Panel jumps that are blowing off the bar supports of the panel jump can
be attended by adding rubber bands to aid them in staying on. Rubber
bands should not, however, be wrapped so tightly that the panels cannot
displace. If wind conditions merit, the panel jump may be replaced with
a bar jump.
A little ingenuity and a lot of duct tape will solve many problems.
Section 2. Measuring of Dogs
Judge’s Responsibilities: The judge, together with the host club, is responsible
for ensuring that dogs have been measured in compliance with the AKC jump
height card measuring policy. This policy can be reviewed on the AKC web
site at www.akc.org.
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