Results updated to show in numbers in addition to percentages.
CLICK HERE for Official January 2018 Referendum Results
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Job Posting:
Regional & National Course Coordinator
Job Description
The Regional & National Course Coordinator serves as the liaison between designing judges, course approvers and the National Steering Committee to ensure that courses are provided for Regional, National Pre-Qualifier and National events annually. In addition, the Coordinator will maintain the Regional and National Course pool.
This is a volunteer position with expenses paid for supplies, and a Board evaluated annual honorarium available for fulfilling responsibilities.
You will be a part of the National Steering Committee as a non-voting member. You cannot compete in Regional or National Championships for length of term.
Specific tasks are to include:
- Assemble course requirements for Regionals, Nationals Pre-Qualifier and Nationals, and send information packages to selected judges that includes guidelines, checklists, ring specifications and courses they are to design.
- Work with Course Approvers to ensure that a team is available to approve courses.
- Maintain the Course pools for Regionals and National Pre-qualifiers.
- Review all courses to ensure that ring size, unique specification and equipment requirements are met.
- Assemble course packages for distribution to Regional and National Hosts
To be considered for this position the candidate must:
- Be a Regular member in good standing, with no complaints upheld against them;
- Be an active AAC Master Judge
- Have demonstrated an in-depth understanding of agility
- Have demonstrated an ability to meet deadlines
- Be familiar with the use of, and have access to, Clean Run Course Designer version 4
How to Apply For Position
- Additional information on this role is available by request of the NSC Chair. Email: m.tahnis2@gmail.com
- Please submit applications with a reference letter from a Course Approver attached to admin@aac.ca.
- The application deadline: January 14, 2018
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December 2017
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News from Off Course
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Membership
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Membership Renewals due by December 31, 2017
Current members should renew their membership by the end of the year. Each member needs to have their own login account with a unique e-mail address, so if you don't have an account, you will need to create one before renewing. If you have difficulty with ANY aspect of creating an account or renewing, please contact Blanche admin@aac.ca
Clubs will unfortunately still have to renew manually through the mail-in form on the website
This is also a reminder that all 2018 National Team members require a valid 2018 AAC Membership, by Jan 30, 2018 – so don’t let your membership lapse!
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Rulebook
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2018 V7.0 Edition
The latest rulebook has been released! A secured non-printable electronic version is available on the website to download. http://aac.ca/en/rules. Members will have access to a printable version through their account. Hard copies will be available for purchase in the New Year.
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Upcoming Events
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Judging Clinics
Maple Ridge, British Columbia, March 2-4 2018
Pacific Agility Clan, Contact: Joanie-Leigh Elliot agileted@gmail.com
Edmonton, AB April 14-15 2018
PACE, contact: Denise Reid-Clarke myblueshadow@shaw.ca
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Regional & Nationals Championships
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Regional Championship Dates
AB – Flashing Canines, Redcliff AB, 25-27 May 2018
BC – BCYR Committee, Langley BC, 8-10 June 2018
MB/SK/NUN – Peg City Dog Sports, Winnipeg MB, 18-20 May 2018
NL – DPF Leading Agility, St John’s NL, 16 June 2018
NS – CAANS, Lantz NS 19-20 May 2018
NB – Pawsitively Regionals, Sussex NB, 9-10 June 2018
ON-W – Tollhaven, Clinton ON, 26-27 May 2018
ON-E – AARF, Harrowsmith ON, 1-3 June 2018
QC – Les Mordus de l’Agilite, St-Augustin-de-Desmaures QC, 23-24 June 2018
National Championship
Maxville, Ontario, 16-19 August 2018
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AACNATIONALS2018/
Add these dates to your calendars now!
The AAC website developers are working to put in place all the Regionals and Nationals information pages. This is expected to be completed in the New Year.
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Vacation!
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!
All admin staff and volunteers will be taking a well-earned break until January. Please be aware that there will be a delay in answering e-mails during this period.
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AAC Board of Directors – November 2017 Meeting Highlights (unofficial)
Highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, November 16, 2017.
- New membership applications received in October 2017 will be provided with a one-time promotional membership for 2018.
- Effective January 1 – Dec 31, 2018 a pre-trial dog check-in will be available as outlined in motion 171112. Details will be emailed to clubs and will be included in the 2018 AAC Rulebook
- AAC 2018 Rulebook
- Online printable versions will be available to members through your AAC User Account.
- Printed copies will be available for purchase starting in 2018.
- Judges will be provided a single soft cover copy each.
- Rule Clarifications/Amendments:
- Extension of the 2018 re-measurement processes to September 1, 2018. http://aac.ca/sites/default/public/forms/AAC_ChangesMeasurementProcess2017.pdf.
- Decoy obstacle use will be revised from “mandatory” to “optional at the discretion of the course designing judge” effective July 1/2018.
- Amendment to Section C2.7.2.1 Double Jump in AAC Rulebook. Due to varying types of bases causing mix and matching issues, going forward: “If a constructed double may be taken from both directions (e.g. in Snooker, or Gamble openings, or if course design specified approach from both sides), two similar jumps of the same type should be used, either both winged or both wingless.”
- Regionals and Nationals:
- A split Regionals was approved for NF/NS for 2018.
- 2018 Regional for Newfoundland will be hosted by DPF Leading Agility at the Southlands Park in St. John’s Newfoundland on June 16, 2018.
- 2018 Regional for Nova Scotia will be hosted by CAANS at the MacMillan Centre, Truro, Nova Scotia on the weekend of May 19, 2018.
- Hosts are still needed for both a 2019 and 2020 AAC National Championships at this time. If you are interested please contact the National Steering Committee Chair. Contact information can be located at: http://www.aac.ca/en/contact/main/#CO
- National Team:
- Supporter shirts have been shipped from the supplier and distribution will start through Team Members on receipt.
- The Team continues to offer the opportunity to join them in training through online auditing. The information is located at: https://www.aacnationalagilityteam.com/auditor-team
Responsibilities of AAC Representatives if an Act of Misconduct Occurs at a Trial
What are the responsibilities of AAC representatives (AAC Board, employees, Judges, AAC Committee members, Host Trial Committee) if they witness an act of misconduct during a trial?
They have a duty to:
- Inform the Host Trial Committee
- Inform the “victim" (for lack of a better word) of their right to report the incident and/or lodge an official complaint with the Discipline Committee by filling in an Incident Report
- Fill in an Incident Report and submit it for the records
- If the AAC Official is the victim, he/she has a moral obligation to identify the Incident Report “complainant” box. (as an AAC representative; supporting its commitment to ensuring fairness and safety; officials must lead by example)
If a competitor reports misconduct to an AAC representative (AAC Board, employees, Judges, AAC Committee members, Host Trial Committee) that did not witness the incident the AAC Representative should:
- Inform the Host trial Committee
- Inform the "complainant" of their right to report an official complaint with the DC by filling in an Incident Report.
- Fill in an Incident Report with the information of who said what to who.
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Blanche Cooper at admin@aac.ca.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 21, 2017.
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AAC Board of Directors – October 2017 Meeting Highlights (unofficial)
Highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, October 19, 2017.
- AAC to waive late trial application fees incurred for 2018 equipment inspections by AAC Clubs hosting AAC sanctioned trials scheduled January 1 – April 1, 2018.
- Rule Clarifications/Updates:
- Courses are to be designed for a 5 foot bar width for ascending and double jumps with an approved wing on each side. Effective October 19, 2017. Motion 171006.
- National Equipment List to be amended to include a broad jump as optional for each standard ring and wall jump to be added as optional for Jumpers. Effective October 19, 2017. Motion 171005.
- Equipment and trial site inspection Regional Director designated representatives clarified: Designate may be any of the following Regular AAC members: Past or Present Judge (any level), Past or Present Member of the Board of Directors. Effective: October 19, 2017. Motion 171009.
- Five foot jump poles will be required for all spread jumps effective January 1, 2019. Motion 171010.
- Clarification for AAC Rulebook Section 2.9.x Rounding of SCTs to be: When calculating Standard Course Times for Standard, Jumpers, Steeplechase and Team Relay; Target Course Times for Challenge, and Closing Gamble times, all numbers should be rounded to the nearest whole second. The rounding also applies to the 20% added for Veterans in all classes, the 10% added for mixed teams with one Veteran dog in Team Relay, and the 20% additional closing gamble time for mini dogs. (And from Jan 1 2018, the 10% additional closing time for medium dogs). The calculated time is rounded up if 0.5 sec, or >0.5 sec or down if <0.5 sec. e.g. 85.2 seconds rounds to 85, 85.5 seconds rounds to 86, 85.6 seconds rounds to 86
- Clarification for AAC Rulebook Section 3.6 Gamblers effective October 19, 2017. Dogs in the mini division must receive 20% (rounded as per section 2.9.x) more time to complete the final gamble than dogs in the open division. (As of 1 January 2018 - Dogs in the medium division must receive 10% more time to complete the final gamble than dogs in the open division). This is the minimum extra time (Rounding defined as per section 2.9.x) that is allowed. It is at the judge’s discretion if they wish to allow additional time on top of the minimum.
- National Team:
- Extension of the Regional Chair bye pilot to July 2018. Motion 170904
- Increase in delay for filing a complaint from 14 to 30 days. Motion 171013
- Update to Discipline Committee’s Coordinator procedure for processing and numbering cases. Motion 171014.
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Blanche Cooper at admin@aac.ca.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 2017.
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AAC Board of Directors – September 2017 Meeting Highlights (unofficial)
Highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, September 21, 2017.
- On Course will be revised into both a bi-monthly newsletter for all competitors, and a member-only quarterly summary effective September 21, 2017.
- Rule Clarifications/Amendments:
- Correction of French translation in AAC Rulebook regarding fouling in the ring. Motion 170903.
- Regional Equipment requirements for number of wing/wingless jumps revised effective immediately. Motion 170905.
- Ring Crew descriptions clarified with updates to be added to the AAC Rulebook and the Judges Handbook. Motion 170910
- Section 2.9.3 Maximum Course Time &/or Faults in AAC Rulebook amended to: The Judge and trial committee may, at their discretion, set a maximum course time (MCT), after which a dog and handler will be dismissed from the ring. The MCT for all classes should be set to Mini Veteran Course Time plus 20 seconds. MCT for Challenge shall be Mini Veteran Target Course Time plus 20 seconds.
The Judge and trial committee may also, at their discretion, set a maximum number of course faults after which a dog and handler will be dismissed from the ring. Effective July 1/19. Motion 170907
- Judges Clinics Scheduled:
- Red Barn Event Centre in Barrie, ON on Dec 15-17, 2017
- Pacific Agility Clan in Maple Ridge, BC on Mar 2-4, 2018
- Safety
The Safety Committee asked that the AAC advise that there is a slight potential for dogs to get a leg trapped between planks and metal supports of the dogwalk.
The Safety Committee recommends that equipment owners and users consider covering the gap between the metal bars on the dog walk plants to decrease the risk of future incidents to dogs either going on or coming off of the side of the equipment.

- National Team:
- A new website is being created, which will be continually owned and managed by Team Management going forward.
- 2017-2018 AAC National Team was officially announced, with congratulatory letters, team contracts and a code of conduct sent to all.
- Regionals and Nationals:
- A National host has the option of using the AAC Equipment Container or not. The content list of the Equipment Container is to be supplied for the National Hot. Expenses will not be approved for purchasing items that are in the Equipment Container.
- Bids have not been received for these 2019 Regional Championship: BC/YK, AB/NT, SK/MB/NU, NB/PI, NS/NL. If you are interested please contact the National Steering Committee Chair. Contact information can be located at: http://www.aac.ca/en/contact/main/#CO
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Blanche Cooper at admin@aac.ca.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2017.
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Volume 1 | Issue 1
November 2017
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News from On Course
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New Website
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Create your Account Now!
The new AAC website www.aac.ca has been released. Member logins from the old site will not work, so users should create a new account if they haven’t already done so. Anyone can create an account, members and non-members alike. From there, users will be able to claim their own dogs, update their contact information and all manner of things! AAC members will also have access to On Course, Board Motions, printable Rule Book and various other membership perks.
It is still a work in progress, so please be patient if you find a section that is not complete. If something doesn’t work, feel free to report it through the Help section on the top banner.
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Elections and Voting
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Election Open for Voting
Regular Members can now cast their votes and choose between two candidates, each running for the positions of President and Treasurer. Voting is open from 9 am November 1, 2017, to Midnight on November 31, 2017. Read the Candidates Bios here: http://aac.ca/en/nominees
To vote, simply enter your credentials (membership number and e-mail address) on the voting page. Your details will be validated and you will be directed to the selection page where you can cast your vote. If you believe that you are eligible to vote and the system declines your membership number, please contact the AAC Elections Officer at admin@aac.ca.
Should you want to have a ballot mailed to you, please contact admin@aac.ca.
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Membership
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Membership Renewals due by December 31, 2017
Current members will have received an e-mail notice advising them of the renewal date for 2018 membership. To renew online, please log in to your account, choose “manage memberships” and you will see a Renew button to the left of your name. The $25 membership fees will be added to your cart, along with the appropriate Provincial taxes. You can then check out and pay by credit card, PayPal or cheque.
Family membership has been discontinued, so there is only one kind of membership available. Each member needs to have their own login account with a unique e-mail address, so if you don't have an account, you will need to create one before renewing.
New members wishing to purchase a membership now, will have their payment credited towards the whole of 2018 and receive a bonus of two months membership for November and December 2017!
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Rulebook
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2018 V7.0 Edition
A complete revision to the rulebook is currently being proof-read. Once it has been approved and translated, the electronic online version should be available by the beginning of December.
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New Jump Heights
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Competitors
Don’t forget that not only will the jump heights change in 2018, the cutoffs change too. Your dog will need to be re-measured before running in its first trial of 2018. it will also need a new Dog ID card. The dog ID number stays the same. Just apply for a replacement card online, free of charge. http://aac.ca/en/Dog-ID-Registration
Some clubs are offering measurement for the new heights at their trials this year. So, avoid the panic and have your dog measured ahead of time.
Wondering what your options are for your dog with the new jump heights? Check here for more information: Deciding on a height and category
Clubs
Don’t forget to arrange with your Region Directors to have your jumps inspected for the new heights as soon as possible. We would like to remind clubs that these inspections need to be carried out a minimum of 3 months ahead of the trial date, in accordance with Rulebook Section 2.1
Any late or information change fees related to equipment inspection will be waived for clubs holding trials in January, February, and March
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Upcoming Events
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Judging Clinics
Barrie, Ontario. December 15-16, 2017
Red Barn Event Centre. Contact: info@redbarneventcentre.com
Maple Ridge, British Columbia, March 2-4 2018
Pacific Agility Clan, Contact: agileted@gmail.com
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Strategy to Implement AAC Jump Height Changes - The final piece of the puzzle
Deciding on a Jump Height
All dogs will be required to have had at least one new measurement for the new jump heights before they can run in competition from January 1, 2018.
Jump height choices are effectively reset on January 1, 2018. At their first competition on or after that date, the dog may compete in ANY of the heights and categories for which they are eligible with their new measurement.
Dogs that are currently in Specials or Veterans but will have a different 'Regular' height in 2018 may change back into Regulars (or Specials). Any change in height category back to Regular will not be considered their one-time move back to Regulars that normally requires the move request form to be filled out and signed by their Regional Director. Dogs over 5 and under 7 years old currently competing (on or before December 31, 2017) as a Veteran or Double-Dropped Veteran may continue to compete in that category in 2018. They do not have to go back to competing in Specials for a year when the heights and category choices are reset.
This one-time occurrence for the dog’s first trial of 2018 must be completed by September 1. 2018. Last day for movement between categories for the new jump heights will be August 31, 2018.
After this date, for any change back to Regular for their first trial of the year, competitors must complete and submit the required form to their Regional Director. This also applies to competitors who chose to run their dog in Specials for their first trial of 2018. Having competed in Specials at the new heights, the handler must fill in the “move request” form to move back to Regular. On and after September 1, 2018, competition height will be determined in the same way as if it were the dog’s first measurement and first ever trial.
Examples
- My dog is 3 years old and currently competes as a 22” Special. He measures over 21” and he has 26 circled on his current dog ID card. He was measured for his new card and confirmed by two judges that he measures 21.5”. The height circled on his new card is 20”.
Question: Can he run as a 20” Special in 2018 as it is lower than his current 22” Specials height?
Answer: No. Dogs competing in Specials must jump one height lower than their Regular height. His Regular competition height is 20” so he would have to run in 16” Specials.
Question: Does he have to compete as a 16” Special in 2018 or can he compete at 20” Regular?
Answer: You can choose his new competition height. He may compete as a 20” Regular OR a 16” Special
Question: What if I decide to run him as a 16” Special in his first trial of 2018 and decide I don’t like him jumping 16”. Can I move him to 20” Regular at his next trial?
Answer: No, not unless you fill in a move request because the dog has already competed as a Special under the new heights..
- My dog is 6 years old, measures 15.25” and has been competing as a 6” Double-dropped Veteran for the past year. Her Regular competition height will still be 16”. I want her to continue running as a double-dropped veteran in 2018.
Question: Will my dog have to jump higher next year? I want her to still jump 6”. Can she jump 4” instead?
Answer: No, her DDV height will be 8”. The 4” DDV height category is for dogs measuring 15” and under. However, she may continue running as a Double Dropped Veteran without having to return to Specials at the new heights. Her Veteran status can be carried over.
- It is September 9th 2018 and my dog has just been measured to jump 12” at the new heights. I used to run him as a 10” Special last year.
Question: What height should I enter?
Answer: You should enter 8” Specials. If you wish your dog to run as a 12” Regular dog you should complete the “One time move to Regular” form which can be found on the AAC website and submit to your Regional Director
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AAC Emails and Constant Contact
Visit this page to learn about white listing our email address so you can add us to your approved sender list!
http://www.whatcounts.com/how-to-whitelist-emails/
If you are on a business, government or educational site for your email, it may be blocked by the security programs utilized by your IT Department. You may need to try an alternate email or contact your IT team.
Some email providers out and out block emails that are not whitelisted, or that they are not sure about, and these will never arrive in your inbox. You can contact your ISP directly and ask for emails to be cleared for sending to you.
Also, try adding admin@aac.ca to your “safe sender” list in the program you use for your email. You can find instructions on always allowing a sender for some ISPs on their website, or you can contact your ISP directly to get instructions.
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2018 Implementation Plan
Jump Heights – Measurement Cut-off
The February 2017 Information Release is to provide Clubs, Competitors, and Judges with details on changes to the AAC’s measurement process. The documentation outlines how this will affect each of you, and provides detailed information needed for you to act. Each of you will contribute in this stage of measuring the AAC dogs for competition on the new jump heights by January 1, 2018.
Links will be provided below for the following documentation and forms:
Competitors
The Changes to Measurement Process document will provide detailed information on what you should select on the AAC Dog ID Application Form as it will vary depending on if your dog does not have an AAC Dog ID or your dog has/is currently competing and has a completed or partially completed AAC Dog ID Card.
Once the AAC has received a completed AAC Dog ID Application form, applicants will be emailed a downloadable AAC Dog ID card from AAC to print and take to AAC trials or AAC Re-Measurement Days for dogs to be officially measured.
Judges
Information including what you can expect to see, requirements for wickets/measuring devices, forms, instructions for 2017 and 2018 new measurements and re-measurements are outlined.
Clubs and Trial Hosts
The Changes to Measurement Process document outlines responsibilities, inspection criteria, premium requirements, and provides information on the new forms for Re-Measurement Days, 2018 Measuring Device Inspection and Dog Measurement Forms.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your Regional Directors for assistance. Their contact information is located at: http://www.aac.ca/en/contact/main/
AAC Board
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