Performance Standards

Following is a paraphrased synopsis of the basic performance rules for dog agility as set forth in USDAA official rules & regulations.  For a complete copy of the rules, check out the eBook in our Forms & Documents Library, or visit the USDAA® Store to order a copy.

Contact Obstacles

• Ascend, cross and begin descent to have completed the obstacle
• Leaving the obstacle prior to beginning descent is a refusal
• Special Rules:
1. See-saw not touching the ground before the dog leaving, but after it begins to tilt, is a fly-off penalty
2. Descent is deemed to be begun with one paw in the masters classes and four paws in all other classes

• Down position for five seconds (generally interpreted to mean in a position of rest)
• Special Rules:
1. Masters and Advanced – Cumulative count; Starters (and Novice) – Consecutive count
2. Leaving the table before the end of the five second count is penalized only once as a standard fault
3. A refusal cannot be penalized once the dog has been on the table

• Proper entry, entering on the right side of pole #1 and passing through to the left side of pole #2
• After proper entry, the dog must weave down the complete line alternating back and forth without missing a pole
• Special rules:
1. Improper entry is a refusal
2. After proper entry, the dog can no longer incur a refusal penalty
3. Dog may be faulted for a missed pole only once in performance of the obstacle; any errors must be corrected

• Enter and exit in the direction defined
• Special rules:
1. Exiting the entrance or jumping over the tunnel is a refusal; entering the wrong end is wrong course

• Jump in the direction defined above top rail or through tire
• Special rules:
1. Jumping or running under the jump or any part thereof in the wrong direction is wrong course
2. Jumping a wing or running or jumping beneath the top rail of a jump is a refusal
3. Jumping between the tire and frame is a refusal

• Perform in sequence as defined by the judge
• Special rules:
1. Taking obstacles out of sequence is the wrong course
2. efusals are considered only on the first element of a combination unless otherwise defined by class rules

Course Handling Standards

• Poor Sportsmanship
• Verbal or physical abuse of dog, judge or ring personnel
• Excessive handler assistance*, including outside assistance
• No timing devices, training devices, food or toys in ring
• Signs of aggression that show intent to harm; action other than playfulness
• Out of control
• Time infringement and safety issues
• Excessive delay
• Leaving the ring before or after the run, out of control
• Running the wrong course, where fault limits are imposed
  (Starters/Novice/Advanced – Four paw rule; Masters – any part of dog)
• Fouling the ring before, during or after round
• Violation of the four-paw Starters/Novice Safety Rule, which provides that a dog may not reattempt a contact obstacle after a refusal where the dog had been on that obstacle with all four paws

*Pursuant to the rules, "assistance" is defined as physically touching an obstacle or the dog in such a manner that such contact aids the performance, avoids a penalty, or saves time that might otherwise have been lost had such contact not occurred. Final determination is made by the judge.

Handling Faults

Refusal Faults

• Significant hesitation
• Turning back after beginning a focused approach of correct obstacle
• Running out past the front plane of the next obstacle in sequence
• Incomplete performance as defined in the rules

Three refusals cumulatively on course equals "Elimination" in the Masters and Level III classes; three refusals on any contact obstacle in the Advanced or Level II classes equals "Elimination". Refusals are not penalized in the Starters (or Novice) and Level I classes.

Time Faults
In classes where a standard course time is appropriate, time penalties shall be assessed for each portion of a second (measured to the nearest 1/100th of a second).  The judge shall set a standard course time within the parameter of the rules based upon a number of variable including but not limited to the following:

• Distance
• Course design difficulty/flow assessment
• Site conditions
• Weather, surface conditions, obstructions & hazards

Course Time Standards for the Standard Agility Class

Dogs Jumping 12":

Dogs Jumping 16":

Dogs Jumping 22" or 26":

Special Rules:

• In Performance classes, three additional seconds shall be allowed.