Frequently Asked Questions
Section I – Getting Started
Q: Are there classes I can take to teach my dog how to lure course/race?
A: Generally speaking, no. Due to the amount of time it takes to set up the equipment and the cost of renting venue space for our events, most clubs are not in a position to offer classes. However, most clubs do offer opportunities to practice, either at their regular competition events or at designated practice days. Check the Calendar for a list of such events.
Q: My dog has successfully run CATs before. Can I enter him/her in a race meet/lure coursing trial?
A: While CATs are a good place to begin, it is only a start, and in most cases the dog will require additional schooling before he/she is ready to enter one of our events. At the very least, all RACE events require dogs to run in a muzzle and blanket. At most, our events require dogs to run muzzled, blanketed AND in the company of other dogs (most likely dogs that your dog doesn't know or live with). CATs do not require any of those things, and as such most dogs will require additional training to become accustomed to these sorts of distractions.
Q: My dog has done a few "fun runs" before and loved it! Can I enter him/her in a race meet/lure coursing trial?
A: Fun runs are a great start, but most likely your dog will need additional training before he/she is ready to compete in one of our events. At the very least, all RACE events require dogs to run in a muzzle and blanket. At most, our events require dogs to run muzzled, blanketed AND in the company of other dogs (most likely dogs that your dog doesn't know or live with). Most "fun runs" offered informally by various dog clubs do not require any of those things, and as such most dogs will require additional training to become accustomed to these sorts of distractions.
Q: How old does my dog need to be to participate?
A: Dogs of any age may run practices, but in order to enter a competition they must be 12 months of age or older.
Q: My dog has never done this before. What should I do?
A: This is probably the number one question that we get. If your dog has never encountered a lure before, the best way to get him or her started is with practice runs. A practice run is whatever you want it to be, but we strongly suggest that you start your dog off running a short distance alone without a muzzle or any other distracting devices. Once your dog is reliably running under those conditions, then you can gradually increase the distance and add other elements like a muzzle and a running buddy. The key is TAKE IT SLOWLY. There is plenty of time to get your dog into competition, so do not rush them. You want to give your dog the best possible start in the sport so that they can succeed in the long run :-)
Q: When and where can my dog practice?
A: Practice runs are offered at all of our events throughout the day, as time allows. Depending on how large our event is, we may not have a lot of time to practice during the middle of the day. As such, the best time for you to arrive if you would like to run a practice is anytime after noon. By that time, the busiest part of the trial/meet will have passed and the wait time for practice will be shortest.
Q: What equipment will I need?
A: If you are new to this, you will need two leashes, a flat collar, and some form of containment for your dog while you wait your turn to run. For practice runs, you do not need a muzzle or racing blanket for your dog. In fact, we recommend that you don't use a muzzle or blanket if your dog is just getting started (see above).
Q: How do I go about introducing my dog to the lure?
A: Dogs who are new to the lure are brought up to it and encouraged to engage with it (a lure is basically a toy). Once the dog's interest is sparked, a signal will be given to the lure operator to start the lure and the owner or helper will release the dog. If the dog takes off straight after the lure with enthusiasm, the lure operator will run the lure to a pre-determined point on the field (that point depends on the dog and owner, and is determined by them case by case) or the entire route. If the dog is hesitant about chasing the lure, owners are encouraged to run with their dogs with excitement and encouraging words.
Q: What happens if my dog does NOT like the lure?
A: It may be that your dog is too distracted to show any interest in the lure. If that is the case, you might want to try practicing at home with a flirtpole. A flirtpole is basically a lunge whip with a toy or plastic baggie attached to the end of it. You can flick the toy around on the ground and see if your dog shows any interest in chasing it. Some dogs need a lot of work to learn that the lure is fun, while others seem born ready for it! And for other dogs, it just is not their thing and that is okay, too (:
Q: My dog has done several successful practice runs. What do we do next?
A: Once your dog is reliably running the entire distance of the race track or course with a muzzle on, he or she is ready to take the next step, which is to do a qualifying run. Continue to the next section below for more information about qualifying runs.
Section II – Competitions
Q: How do I qualify my dog to compete?
A: In order to qualify for competition, your dog must run cleanly against another dog of either the same breed, or same size/running style. Running cleanly is defined as running with enthusiasm while completely focused on the lure. Dogs are not allowed to interfere with another dog or turn their attention from the lure to another dog, EVEN if the interference is playful. In the course of running, dogs naturally may jostle for position – dogs that bump can still qualify as long as their focus is still on the lure.
Q: My dog failed the qualification run, but still loves to chase the lure by him/herself. What options does my dog have?
A: If your dog did not pass their qualifying run, that means he/she either needs more training, or most likely is not suited to be running in competition with other dogs. If the latter is true, then your dog is welcome to participate in Singles. Singles racing and Singles lure coursing was created to meet the needs of dogs who, for whatever reason, are not able to run in the company of other dogs.
Q: What is Singles?
A: Singles racing and Singles lure coursing was created to meet the needs of dogs who, for whatever reason, are not able to run in the company of other dogs. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS PRACTICE. Dogs participating in Singles are expected to be fully schooled, meaning that they will reliably chase the lure for the entire length of the track/course, wearing a muzzle and a blanket. In Singles racing, the dogs are timed using a high-tech digital timing device that can record a dog's time down to a hundredth of a second. At the end of the day, each dog is ranked using the mean average of their recorded times, and is awarded accordingly. In Singles lure coursing, each dog is judged subjectively using several different categories including: speed, agility, endurance, honest pursuit, and enthusiasm. The judge will give each dog a numerical score (maximum score is 100), and that score will be used to determine placements at the end of the trial.
Q: Does my dog have to wear a muzzle and/or a colored blanket in Singles?
A: Yes.
Q: What gear does my dog need to compete?
A: All dogs competing are required to wear muzzles and racing blankets. We use a standard set of racing jackets, numbered 1-4 with coordinating colours – #1 is red, #2 is blue, #3 is white, and #4 is green. All dogs running in competition (including Singles) are required to wear properly fitted “basket” style muzzles. The muzzle must allow the dog to open its mouth and pant while running.
You will also need somewhere secure to place your dog when s/he is not running. Many people are surprised by their dog’s desire for the lure, and are not properly prepared to contain their normally calm dog who is now super excited! We recommended bringing a crate to set up away from the track so your dog can rest when it is not their turn. You also need to bring plenty of fresh water to offer your dog after s/he runs. Shade and pop-up tents are also recommended.
Q: Where can I buy a muzzle and racing blankets?
A: The internet is the best resource for these items. Simply do a Google search for "racing muzzle" "racing blankets" "lure coursing blankets" or similar, and you will find several options.
Q: I want to make my own blankets. How many do I need, and in what colors?
A: You will need a complete set of blankets. A set includes four blankets in the following numbers and colors: red (#1), blue (#2), white (#3), and green (#4). In lure coursing, we use the colors red, white, and blue; so you can easily flip your numbered blankets over to their blank side and they will double as lure coursing blankets.
Q: Who will my dog run with in competition?
A: Dogs in the Open division are grouped together in two ways – by breed, for purebred dogs with two or more participants, or by type/size/running style for breeds with one participant or mixed breed dogs. Dogs are grouped together in ways that make it a fair competition!
Q: How does my dog earn points and titles?
A: Dogs earn points based on the number of competitors. Please consult the rule books for details.
Q: What is expected of me as a competitor?
Everyone participating in lure sports is expected to help out in whatever capacity they are capable in order to keep the event running smoothly.
For lure coursing, this means knowing when your dog is up and having them prepared so as not to hold up the program. For straight track racing, this means being willing to assist other owners in catching or releasing their hounds, and occupying a foul line judge chair or finish line judge chair for races your dog is not entered in and races you are not assisting other owners in. Each straight track race requires TWO foul line judges and FOUR finish line judges, in addition to TWO people (a catcher and a releaser) PER DOG! If you can bring someone to assist you with your dog, that is wonderful. If not, do not be afraid to ask for assistance and be prepared to provide assistance in return! A good attitude is a must! Please show patience in the event of something not going to plan (equipment malfunction, a dog not being easily caught, etc. etc.). Please be courteous to others, and be a good sport!
Section III - Registration
Q: Does my dog need to be registered in order to compete?
A: All dogs must be registered with R.A.C.E. in order to participate in AOK9 Program Events. See the Register page to download a registration application.
Q: Do I need to register my dog ahead of time, or can I register them on the day of the event?
A: Ideally, you should send in your dog's application for registration ahead of time. However, registration applications can be submitted on the day of the event.
Q: I submitted my application. Will I receive confirmation that my application has been processed?
A: At this time, we do not send out confirmations or receipts, but feel free to contact us to inquire about the status of your application.
Section I – Getting Started
Q: Are there classes I can take to teach my dog how to lure course/race?
A: Generally speaking, no. Due to the amount of time it takes to set up the equipment and the cost of renting venue space for our events, most clubs are not in a position to offer classes. However, most clubs do offer opportunities to practice, either at their regular competition events or at designated practice days. Check the Calendar for a list of such events.
Q: My dog has successfully run CATs before. Can I enter him/her in a race meet/lure coursing trial?
A: While CATs are a good place to begin, it is only a start, and in most cases the dog will require additional schooling before he/she is ready to enter one of our events. At the very least, all RACE events require dogs to run in a muzzle and blanket. At most, our events require dogs to run muzzled, blanketed AND in the company of other dogs (most likely dogs that your dog doesn't know or live with). CATs do not require any of those things, and as such most dogs will require additional training to become accustomed to these sorts of distractions.
Q: My dog has done a few "fun runs" before and loved it! Can I enter him/her in a race meet/lure coursing trial?
A: Fun runs are a great start, but most likely your dog will need additional training before he/she is ready to compete in one of our events. At the very least, all RACE events require dogs to run in a muzzle and blanket. At most, our events require dogs to run muzzled, blanketed AND in the company of other dogs (most likely dogs that your dog doesn't know or live with). Most "fun runs" offered informally by various dog clubs do not require any of those things, and as such most dogs will require additional training to become accustomed to these sorts of distractions.
Q: How old does my dog need to be to participate?
A: Dogs of any age may run practices, but in order to enter a competition they must be 12 months of age or older.
Q: My dog has never done this before. What should I do?
A: This is probably the number one question that we get. If your dog has never encountered a lure before, the best way to get him or her started is with practice runs. A practice run is whatever you want it to be, but we strongly suggest that you start your dog off running a short distance alone without a muzzle or any other distracting devices. Once your dog is reliably running under those conditions, then you can gradually increase the distance and add other elements like a muzzle and a running buddy. The key is TAKE IT SLOWLY. There is plenty of time to get your dog into competition, so do not rush them. You want to give your dog the best possible start in the sport so that they can succeed in the long run :-)
Q: When and where can my dog practice?
A: Practice runs are offered at all of our events throughout the day, as time allows. Depending on how large our event is, we may not have a lot of time to practice during the middle of the day. As such, the best time for you to arrive if you would like to run a practice is anytime after noon. By that time, the busiest part of the trial/meet will have passed and the wait time for practice will be shortest.
Q: What equipment will I need?
A: If you are new to this, you will need two leashes, a flat collar, and some form of containment for your dog while you wait your turn to run. For practice runs, you do not need a muzzle or racing blanket for your dog. In fact, we recommend that you don't use a muzzle or blanket if your dog is just getting started (see above).
Q: How do I go about introducing my dog to the lure?
A: Dogs who are new to the lure are brought up to it and encouraged to engage with it (a lure is basically a toy). Once the dog's interest is sparked, a signal will be given to the lure operator to start the lure and the owner or helper will release the dog. If the dog takes off straight after the lure with enthusiasm, the lure operator will run the lure to a pre-determined point on the field (that point depends on the dog and owner, and is determined by them case by case) or the entire route. If the dog is hesitant about chasing the lure, owners are encouraged to run with their dogs with excitement and encouraging words.
Q: What happens if my dog does NOT like the lure?
A: It may be that your dog is too distracted to show any interest in the lure. If that is the case, you might want to try practicing at home with a flirtpole. A flirtpole is basically a lunge whip with a toy or plastic baggie attached to the end of it. You can flick the toy around on the ground and see if your dog shows any interest in chasing it. Some dogs need a lot of work to learn that the lure is fun, while others seem born ready for it! And for other dogs, it just is not their thing and that is okay, too (:
Q: My dog has done several successful practice runs. What do we do next?
A: Once your dog is reliably running the entire distance of the race track or course with a muzzle on, he or she is ready to take the next step, which is to do a qualifying run. Continue to the next section below for more information about qualifying runs.
Section II – Competitions
Q: How do I qualify my dog to compete?
A: In order to qualify for competition, your dog must run cleanly against another dog of either the same breed, or same size/running style. Running cleanly is defined as running with enthusiasm while completely focused on the lure. Dogs are not allowed to interfere with another dog or turn their attention from the lure to another dog, EVEN if the interference is playful. In the course of running, dogs naturally may jostle for position – dogs that bump can still qualify as long as their focus is still on the lure.
Q: My dog failed the qualification run, but still loves to chase the lure by him/herself. What options does my dog have?
A: If your dog did not pass their qualifying run, that means he/she either needs more training, or most likely is not suited to be running in competition with other dogs. If the latter is true, then your dog is welcome to participate in Singles. Singles racing and Singles lure coursing was created to meet the needs of dogs who, for whatever reason, are not able to run in the company of other dogs.
Q: What is Singles?
A: Singles racing and Singles lure coursing was created to meet the needs of dogs who, for whatever reason, are not able to run in the company of other dogs. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS PRACTICE. Dogs participating in Singles are expected to be fully schooled, meaning that they will reliably chase the lure for the entire length of the track/course, wearing a muzzle and a blanket. In Singles racing, the dogs are timed using a high-tech digital timing device that can record a dog's time down to a hundredth of a second. At the end of the day, each dog is ranked using the mean average of their recorded times, and is awarded accordingly. In Singles lure coursing, each dog is judged subjectively using several different categories including: speed, agility, endurance, honest pursuit, and enthusiasm. The judge will give each dog a numerical score (maximum score is 100), and that score will be used to determine placements at the end of the trial.
Q: Does my dog have to wear a muzzle and/or a colored blanket in Singles?
A: Yes.
Q: What gear does my dog need to compete?
A: All dogs competing are required to wear muzzles and racing blankets. We use a standard set of racing jackets, numbered 1-4 with coordinating colours – #1 is red, #2 is blue, #3 is white, and #4 is green. All dogs running in competition (including Singles) are required to wear properly fitted “basket” style muzzles. The muzzle must allow the dog to open its mouth and pant while running.
You will also need somewhere secure to place your dog when s/he is not running. Many people are surprised by their dog’s desire for the lure, and are not properly prepared to contain their normally calm dog who is now super excited! We recommended bringing a crate to set up away from the track so your dog can rest when it is not their turn. You also need to bring plenty of fresh water to offer your dog after s/he runs. Shade and pop-up tents are also recommended.
Q: Where can I buy a muzzle and racing blankets?
A: The internet is the best resource for these items. Simply do a Google search for "racing muzzle" "racing blankets" "lure coursing blankets" or similar, and you will find several options.
Q: I want to make my own blankets. How many do I need, and in what colors?
A: You will need a complete set of blankets. A set includes four blankets in the following numbers and colors: red (#1), blue (#2), white (#3), and green (#4). In lure coursing, we use the colors red, white, and blue; so you can easily flip your numbered blankets over to their blank side and they will double as lure coursing blankets.
Q: Who will my dog run with in competition?
A: Dogs in the Open division are grouped together in two ways – by breed, for purebred dogs with two or more participants, or by type/size/running style for breeds with one participant or mixed breed dogs. Dogs are grouped together in ways that make it a fair competition!
Q: How does my dog earn points and titles?
A: Dogs earn points based on the number of competitors. Please consult the rule books for details.
Q: What is expected of me as a competitor?
Everyone participating in lure sports is expected to help out in whatever capacity they are capable in order to keep the event running smoothly.
For lure coursing, this means knowing when your dog is up and having them prepared so as not to hold up the program. For straight track racing, this means being willing to assist other owners in catching or releasing their hounds, and occupying a foul line judge chair or finish line judge chair for races your dog is not entered in and races you are not assisting other owners in. Each straight track race requires TWO foul line judges and FOUR finish line judges, in addition to TWO people (a catcher and a releaser) PER DOG! If you can bring someone to assist you with your dog, that is wonderful. If not, do not be afraid to ask for assistance and be prepared to provide assistance in return! A good attitude is a must! Please show patience in the event of something not going to plan (equipment malfunction, a dog not being easily caught, etc. etc.). Please be courteous to others, and be a good sport!
Section III - Registration
Q: Does my dog need to be registered in order to compete?
A: All dogs must be registered with R.A.C.E. in order to participate in AOK9 Program Events. See the Register page to download a registration application.
Q: Do I need to register my dog ahead of time, or can I register them on the day of the event?
A: Ideally, you should send in your dog's application for registration ahead of time. However, registration applications can be submitted on the day of the event.
Q: I submitted my application. Will I receive confirmation that my application has been processed?
A: At this time, we do not send out confirmations or receipts, but feel free to contact us to inquire about the status of your application.
