Starting AKC Agility Trials as a Novice

Kate Delgado
Jun 12
6 min read

Stepping into your first AKC agility trial is exciting – and yes, a little intimidating. Almost everyone feels that way at the beginning. The good news is that the agility community is incredibly welcoming, and once you understand the flow, trials are far more approachable than they seem.

Before you enter your first trial, there is one critical requirement: your dog must already be fully trained on all equipment. That means your dog should confidently perform all obstacles, complete closed weave poles, and reliably hit contact zones (A-frame, dog walk, teeter) without needing training-level support. Trials are not the place to teach skills – they’re where you test what your dog already knows.

If you’re at that stage, you’re ready to get started.

Finding an AKC Agility Trial

First, your dog must be registered with the AKC:

Purebred dogs: Use your AKC registration paperwork (often provided by your breeder).
Mixed breed dogs: Register through the AKC Canine Partners Program.

You’ll need your dog’s AKC number and certificate information to enter trials and track titles.

Where to Search

A reliable and widely used platform is: https://www.labtestedonline.com/

This site makes it easy to:

Search for local trials
Enter events
Track your entries

Jump Height & Registration Basics

If this is your first trial, you will not yet have an official jump height card.

You’ll estimate based on your dog’s height at the withers.

Jump Heights:

8” — 11” and under measurement at the withers (shoulders)
12” — 14” and under
16” — 18” and under
20” — 22” and under
24” — over 22”

You can also enter Preferred, which lowers the jump height by 4 inches and uses different titling requirements.

Division

Novice A: First-time dog + handler team
Novice B: Handler has previously titled a dog

Which Classes to Enter

For beginners, these are the most common classes:

Standard

Includes all contact obstacles – A-frame, table, dog walk, teeter

Jumpers With Weaves (JWW)

No contact obstacles – only jumps, tunnels, and weaves
Faster, more flow-based courses

Time 2 Beat (T2B)

Includes all contact equipment
Single course, all levels compete together
Based on speed and efficiency
Less pressure, great for gaining experience and for warming up

Common beginner recommendation (including experienced trialers):

Start with Standard and JWW
Add T2B once you feel comfortable managing trial days

Review the Premium Carefully

Before entering any trial, read the premium (event packet). This includes:

Trial location and dates
Judge(s)
Entry limits
Surface type (important for some dogs)
Crating information
Allowed equipment (indoor vs outdoor setup, etc.)

After You Register

You’ll receive a confirmation email from the trial secretary with:

Judging Program
Running Order
Course Maps

These documents tell you:

When your class starts
Which ring you’re in
Approximate run timing

Additionally, you can often find a link to a volunteer spreadsheet that will provide estimated start times for each class.

What to Expect on Trial Day

Arrival

Arrive early. I recommend going in first without your dog to sign in and locate the crating area. Signing in usually means writing in a checkmark by your name on the running sheets. If you cannot locate them, just ask, everyone will help you. You will need to ask an event coordinator to get your jump height card at your first trial.

Give yourself time to:

Get your dog measured for their jump height card if you do not have one yet
Set up your crate
Let your dog acclimate
Walk your dog around the environment
Make sure your dog has relieved themselves before their run

Crating Setup and What to Bring

Most trials require you to set up your crate in a designated area and do not allow seating (foldable chairs in the area). Things to bring with you to trial:

A crate (soft-sided preferred)
A tarp for underneath your crate (often required)
Water bowl
Foldable chair
Enrichment items (lick mat, chew, food puzzle)
Collar with no tags – you cannot run your dog in a harness
Water – most facilities have a place to refill water but always pack enough for you and your dog just in case
Treats and toys without squeakers
Snacks for you. Trials can take the entire day and sometimes there are no food vendors.

Your dog must be comfortable being crated while you walk the course without them.

Course Walks (Very Important)

Before each class:

Arrive at the start time of the class, not your run time
The judge briefs exhibitors
Dogs stay crated
You walk the course without your dog

You will:

Memorize the course
Plan your handling strategy
Identify tricky sequences

Don’t overcomplicate your plan – prioritize clarity and connection over fancy handling.

Preparing to Run

Watch the running order (about 1 minute per dog, but timing varies)
Head to the gate when there are ~ five dogs ahead of you
Remove your dog’s:
- Harness
- Tags (flat collar without tags is OK)

Important rules:

No food or toys in the ring
You may leave rewards on the designated table outside the ring

Your First Runs

Your dog may:

Get overstimulated
Ignore cues
Get zoomies

This is completely normal. Iroh ignored me completely our first run. He tried to say high to all the jump setters and judge, got the zoomies, and then promptly pooped in the ring. I died of embarrassment but the judge only laughed.

Highly Recommended - Running FEO (For Exhibition Only)

For your first trial (or even several):

Declare “FEO” loudly to the judge before you start
You can bring a toy (non-squeaky)
You cannot bring treats into the ring
You won’t be penalized or judged

Why experienced handlers recommend FEO:

Lets your dog acclimate to the environment
Removes pressure
Builds positive associations

Running the Course

Typical flow:

Enter ring
Set up at first obstacle
Unclip leash (toss towards leash runner)
Wait for the timer to say “Go”
Run your course

Earning Titles & Moving Up

In each class, your dog must earn qualifying scores (“Qs”) by completing the course within time and staying within the allowed fault limits (such as knocked bars, missed contacts, or refusals). Most AKC agility titles require three qualifying scores under at least two different judges to move up to the next level. Your results are not immediate – once the entire class has finished running, the scores will be finalized and posted for exhibitors to review. Once you’ve earned the required number of Qs, you can choose to move up to the next level at future trials or even request a same-day move-up if it’s offered.

Common Tips from Experienced Trialers

Arrive earlier than you think you need to. Most experienced handlers recommend arriving at least 60–90 minutes before your class. This gives you time to set up, walk your dog, get measured if needed, and watch how the ring is running. It also helps calm your nerves before you’re “on deck.”
Check in and review the gate sheet immediately. Find the running order board and check off your dog’s name when you arrive. Many first-time exhibitors miss this. It also helps you track where the class is in real time so you don’t miss your run.
Watch multiple dogs run before your turn. Don’t just rely on your walk-through – watch how the course actually flows. This gives you a last-minute chance to adjust your plan before you step to the line. You’ll often notice:
- Where dogs are missing weave entries
- Where handling gets tight
- How the judge is calling faults
Have a clear, simple plan – and stick to it. A very common beginner mistake is overhandling or changing your plan mid-run. Focus on:
- Clear lines
- Early cues
- Supporting your dog through commitment points
- Trying to “fix things on the fly” is where most off-courses happen.
Manage your dog’s energy between runs. Trial days are long, and dogs can either get overstimulated or shut down. Experienced handlers:
- Keep dogs crated or resting between runs
- Take short, purposeful walks (not constant activity)
- Avoid letting dogs rehearse arousal behaviors like barking or spinning
- A tired or frazzled dog will not perform like they do in class.
Get to the gate early (earlier than you think). Head to the gate when there are about 5 dogs before you, not when you’re “next.” Running orders can move quickly due to scratches or no-shows, and missing your run is more common than you’d expect.
Focus on connection, not qualifying. The most consistent advice: your first trials are about confidence and partnership, not ribbons. Rushing, pushing for speed, or getting frustrated can negatively impact your dog’s confidence. Smooth, connected runs lead to success much faster than chasing Qs early.

Final Advice

Your first trial is not about ribbons – it’s about learning the process and helping your dog feel comfortable in a busy, stimulating environment.

You will miss cues. Your dog will make mistakes. Everyone does.

The handlers who succeed long-term are the ones who keep it positive, stay patient, and treat each run as a learning opportunity.

Most importantly. Have fun with your dog. That’s what agility is really about.