Greater Louisville Training Club, Inc

Agility, Obedience and Tracking Info

Agility

GLTC offers a four day Agility Trial each spring in conjunction with Kentuckian Cluster of Dog Shows. This event attracts dogs from all over the United States. In 2003 there will be approximately 1000 plus runs per day in three rings. The dogs compete in one of three levels – Novice (beginner dogs), Open (the next step), and Excellent (the top dogs). The clubs offers both the standard and jumper classes in six jump height classes, ranging from 4 inches for the very small dog to 24 inches for the taller dogs. The club also offers an international class for exhibitors who would like to compete on the world team. This class is offered in two jump heights.

The club also offers a two-day trial outdoors the first weekend in November. Offering the same classes with the exception of the international class, which is not offered.

Obedience

The club offers a one-day trial in the spring in conjunction with the Kentuckian Cluster of Dog Shows. The trial offers Novice A & B, Open A & B and Utility A & B classes. The A classes for the inexperience dog and or exhibitor. The B classes are for the experience exhibitor. Obedience has added the new and exciting class of Rally. Rally is performed in two rings with the judge giving only the start command. The exhibitors must then follow a series of signs telling them what to do. Level one is performed with the dog on leash at all times. This is fun class for both the exhibitor and the dog where the exhibitor can talk and praise the dog during the complete course. You are encouraged to talk to the dog.

The club also offers a two-day trial the last weekend in October in the gym at Fairdale High School. With the same classes being offered as in the spring.

Tracking

The club offers all three levels of tracking. The first is the tracking dog where the dog is required to follow a human scent in an open field the size of five football fields. The tracking dog excellent is offered where the dog has to follow the correct human scent across fields and over fences, this requires the dog to follow a minimum of 750 yards. The last level is the variable surface, which requires the dog to follow the scent over both field and hard cover such as concrete next to building over loading docks and other surfaces. This is most difficult level. Many search and rescue dogs started out in tracking for fun and moved in the very serious business of tracking missing children and adults. Any breed can track.

Links

American Kennel Club