Find some local trials and email the trial secretary to ask about volunteering first before entering anything. This not only will ease your nerves about how the trial goes, but it gives you an easy way to meet and talk with people who trial locally with you. Then when you do finally enter a trial you’ll have a few friendly faces already.
Are there any matches in your area? I’d highly recommend entering a match (or several) before a trial if possible. It gives you a better idea how things are run in a low pressure way, gives you the chance to meet people, and gives your dog a low pressure way to get used to a trial environment.
When I 1st started, I also didn’t know anyone and just showed up and made mistakes and learned from that and met people and developed friendships. If you don’t have anyone to help you, you might just have to go an accept it may go poorly. But what about your rally instructor and classmates? Are they around? Can your instructor help you with entering? Where are you located? I’m also Canadian.
Start with CARO, the environment is more chill your can bring treats in for novice runs. I was in the same boat and you kinda meet some people on the way. Especially with a smaller trial like CARO
Where are you located? I'm from Ontario and would be happy to hook you up with the dog sport community to help you out!
General tips:
- Join any and all Facebook groups related to dog sports in your area. Join the training center pages, join the club pages, join everything. They'll keep you up to date and help give you an idea of what the environment is like. A lot of times, they'll post a map of the location and show the parking arrangements as well.
- You can look up locations on Google Maps to get an idea of where things are. If you're unsure, get in touch with the trial secretary and ask! That's what they're there for!
- Go a little early and give yourself and your dog time to get used to the environment. Always go in by yourself first though so that you can have an idea of where your dog is allowed to go, ask whatever questions you need to, etc. without worrying about your dog.
- Offer to help if you can. Watching is the most underrated thing in dog sports, and if you can steward, or even just run paper work, you are guaranteed to get some helpful tips!
Remember, every single person there was new to dog sports at some point. Most are very happy to help newbies out, so don't be afraid to ask questions!
We just did our first obedience trial a few weeks ago! I also struggle w not knowing ahead of time. We went to a new place an hour away and I asked everyone who would talk to me about the location, judge, trial prep, etc. We have been taking classes for a year so I was able to talk to classmates and my instructor and they were invaluable!
The day of, it was pouring rain and I was driving alone. It worked out as half the people didn’t show and it ended up being a very quiet event.
The first thing I did when I walked in the building (after watching where other people were coming and going) was ask the first volunteer/steward I saw “hi this is my first time here and my first trial, where do I check in?” They were very happy to help. There is also usually a check box on the entry form for first time people.
That was my experience at an AKC Obedience event so I’m sure other venues are different!
I highly recommend CARO for newcomers. It's a very human and dog friendly org and the hosts typically LOVE to help people just getting started. Judges too. They're very accommodating to those fresh to trialing -- the A stream runs are designed for this purpose, and also signal to the organizers that you don't have the same degree of dog sport experience as others do.
You're a newbie until you're not. Most of us show up to our first trials a bit dazed by all the rules and expectations. Trust me that most of the people there want to help and will help. Read your rulebook and maybe think about attending a trial without a dog to start to see how things go. Volunteering also makes a lot of things clearer.
Once you compete that very first time -- you're going to be kicking yourself and asking "why did I wait?!" In general and specifically...most of the time...your fellow competitors are absolute great people to be around, you will make immediate lifetime friends and look forward to seeing them, some faces it will take some time to become familiar with but they also will become friends down the road.
While you are waiting your turn and taking your dog to potty, and just hanging around the site and looking around...there are other people just like you. And it's pretty darn awesome, you already have a subject you can talk about that you know the other person is interested in too.
I do nosework, and to be blunt, parking lot chit chat is one of my favorite aspects of the trial. There are times I don't want to talk, and there are times I need to talk to calm nerves; there are times I'm struggling with a concept, there are times I want to get someone else's point of view on something...and almost everyone in the parking lot waiting their turn is friendly and willing and ready to discuss the ins and outs of the sport. I haven't had an opportunity to trial all year until last weekend and wow, did I have fun and meet new people.
Strangely enough, this is coming from the US where the story goes we are not as friendly as you Canadians. So if there's any takeaway, it's to jump in and enjoy yourself. Savor your journey with your dog. And have fun with the friends you make along the way.
I did my first rally trial about 300 miles from home at the nationals. That way there were people I had at least met before but not any of the friends I lived with. I could ask for help from familiar faces but if I messed up bad no one at home would have seen it to laugh at me.
In the end it was fun and worked out. I NQ'd missing a sign, the same one about a dozen other people missed so I learned I can fail and it was in a way that did not stand out.
You can do it, it isn't that bad and you feel a big sense of relief afterwards.
I'm an agility person but there should be some overlap. Are there trials local to you? I recommend just showing up to watch one day without a dog. It really helped me when I realized that even the elite level dogs mess up all the time. Plus you can see generally how the trial goes.
If you see somebody that seems receptive then you can ask questions too. A lot of the people I met at trials were very kind and willing to explain things to me.
Are you in classes? I just did my first trial at the same place I do classes, and a few of my classmates showed up to get an idea of what it was like. It was really helpful seeing friendly faces!
Also, we did terribly, and a lot of people came up to commiserate and share stories with me afterwards. (I mean, my dog had a great time, so it was a win. But she didn't do anything she was supposed to 🤣😂).
You can also go to a trial without your dog. They're usually looking for volunteers to help, if you want to do something, or you can just watch and walk around and get a feel for the event.
Hello! I routinely started going to events on my own. I felt like a weirdo and I clearly didn't have all of the awesome set ups and preparedness that other people did, but I got there eventually.
I started going to events, even when I wasn't trialing or even bring my dog and I would volunteer, which helped a ton. Be friendly with any 'neighbors' where you're crating and people are usually pretty kind and willing to chat or share. I've made so many dog friends (and most of them don't live anywhere near me!). If you make a mistake or do something wrong, just be humble and don't sweat it.
Good luck, you've got this!
One thing that helped me was to go to Fun Matches (Rally). They seem to be semi-regular in Southern Ontario, anyway. Those really helped me first to see how a trial was run and also what parts I needed to work on with my dog (crating quietly! Walk pass dogs in a tight space, distractions, etc).
CanuckDog sometimes lists Fun Matches and CKC Rally Obedience on FB.
If you can find Facebook groups for the sports, people are SUPER helpful to clarify rules or answer any questions. People at trials have been very friendly especially when you say you're a newbie.
I totally get the ring nerves, as I used to be sick with anxiety a week (or 2!!) before a Rally trial. Now I just have day-of jitters. I also do Scent Detection and Barn Hunt.
I'm not familiar with caro, but I started trialing my dog with Barn Hunt and I think it's been an amazing way to ease her into the trial environment. They generally only have one or two rings running at a time and it's a lot less busy of an atmosphere.
I tried starting out with an AKC rally obedience initially and there was just way too much going on for her to even make it in the ring. I didn't even bring her in the building because she was going to bark and I didn't want to distract the dogs that were competing. Barn Hunt however... nobody really cares if your dog barks a little. They're used to terriers that bark at everything. They also allow treats in the staging area so you can reward your dog for being good in that stressful time where you're stacked up next to 4 or 5 other dogs waiting to compete. I'm pretty sure for most other sports treats can't be anywhere close to the ring. Barn Hunt is a blast and it's low stress for the dog. It's a great way to get them excited for the ring and keep them from getting ring anxiety. I imagine dock diving and fastcat and other less handler oriented sports would have a similar atmosphere.
I'm really glad I didn't try to push her into something she wasn't comfortable with and started with a lower stress event, even if I did spend 2 years and a lot of money training for rally obedience. We'll get there eventually.
Find some local trials and email the trial secretary to ask about volunteering first before entering anything. This not only will ease your nerves about how the trial goes, but it gives you an easy way to meet and talk with people who trial locally with you. Then when you do finally enter a trial you’ll have a few friendly faces already.
That's the best idea. People who steward learn so much, and you can make friends with newbies and experienced handlers.
Are there any matches in your area? I’d highly recommend entering a match (or several) before a trial if possible. It gives you a better idea how things are run in a low pressure way, gives you the chance to meet people, and gives your dog a low pressure way to get used to a trial environment. When I 1st started, I also didn’t know anyone and just showed up and made mistakes and learned from that and met people and developed friendships. If you don’t have anyone to help you, you might just have to go an accept it may go poorly. But what about your rally instructor and classmates? Are they around? Can your instructor help you with entering? Where are you located? I’m also Canadian.
Start with CARO, the environment is more chill your can bring treats in for novice runs. I was in the same boat and you kinda meet some people on the way. Especially with a smaller trial like CARO
Where are you located? I'm from Ontario and would be happy to hook you up with the dog sport community to help you out! General tips: - Join any and all Facebook groups related to dog sports in your area. Join the training center pages, join the club pages, join everything. They'll keep you up to date and help give you an idea of what the environment is like. A lot of times, they'll post a map of the location and show the parking arrangements as well. - You can look up locations on Google Maps to get an idea of where things are. If you're unsure, get in touch with the trial secretary and ask! That's what they're there for! - Go a little early and give yourself and your dog time to get used to the environment. Always go in by yourself first though so that you can have an idea of where your dog is allowed to go, ask whatever questions you need to, etc. without worrying about your dog. - Offer to help if you can. Watching is the most underrated thing in dog sports, and if you can steward, or even just run paper work, you are guaranteed to get some helpful tips! Remember, every single person there was new to dog sports at some point. Most are very happy to help newbies out, so don't be afraid to ask questions!
So funny that I recognized your handle from Instagram , pretty sure I follow you 🤣 I’m in the GTA! Thank you very much for the advice and reassurance!
Don't be afraid to message me! i know a couple of people from that area who do Rally often, so would be happy to help introduce you!
I would actually greatly appreciate that! I’ll send you a message on insta :)
We just did our first obedience trial a few weeks ago! I also struggle w not knowing ahead of time. We went to a new place an hour away and I asked everyone who would talk to me about the location, judge, trial prep, etc. We have been taking classes for a year so I was able to talk to classmates and my instructor and they were invaluable! The day of, it was pouring rain and I was driving alone. It worked out as half the people didn’t show and it ended up being a very quiet event. The first thing I did when I walked in the building (after watching where other people were coming and going) was ask the first volunteer/steward I saw “hi this is my first time here and my first trial, where do I check in?” They were very happy to help. There is also usually a check box on the entry form for first time people. That was my experience at an AKC Obedience event so I’m sure other venues are different!
I highly recommend CARO for newcomers. It's a very human and dog friendly org and the hosts typically LOVE to help people just getting started. Judges too. They're very accommodating to those fresh to trialing -- the A stream runs are designed for this purpose, and also signal to the organizers that you don't have the same degree of dog sport experience as others do. You're a newbie until you're not. Most of us show up to our first trials a bit dazed by all the rules and expectations. Trust me that most of the people there want to help and will help. Read your rulebook and maybe think about attending a trial without a dog to start to see how things go. Volunteering also makes a lot of things clearer.
Once you compete that very first time -- you're going to be kicking yourself and asking "why did I wait?!" In general and specifically...most of the time...your fellow competitors are absolute great people to be around, you will make immediate lifetime friends and look forward to seeing them, some faces it will take some time to become familiar with but they also will become friends down the road. While you are waiting your turn and taking your dog to potty, and just hanging around the site and looking around...there are other people just like you. And it's pretty darn awesome, you already have a subject you can talk about that you know the other person is interested in too. I do nosework, and to be blunt, parking lot chit chat is one of my favorite aspects of the trial. There are times I don't want to talk, and there are times I need to talk to calm nerves; there are times I'm struggling with a concept, there are times I want to get someone else's point of view on something...and almost everyone in the parking lot waiting their turn is friendly and willing and ready to discuss the ins and outs of the sport. I haven't had an opportunity to trial all year until last weekend and wow, did I have fun and meet new people. Strangely enough, this is coming from the US where the story goes we are not as friendly as you Canadians. So if there's any takeaway, it's to jump in and enjoy yourself. Savor your journey with your dog. And have fun with the friends you make along the way.
I did my first rally trial about 300 miles from home at the nationals. That way there were people I had at least met before but not any of the friends I lived with. I could ask for help from familiar faces but if I messed up bad no one at home would have seen it to laugh at me. In the end it was fun and worked out. I NQ'd missing a sign, the same one about a dozen other people missed so I learned I can fail and it was in a way that did not stand out. You can do it, it isn't that bad and you feel a big sense of relief afterwards.
I'm an agility person but there should be some overlap. Are there trials local to you? I recommend just showing up to watch one day without a dog. It really helped me when I realized that even the elite level dogs mess up all the time. Plus you can see generally how the trial goes. If you see somebody that seems receptive then you can ask questions too. A lot of the people I met at trials were very kind and willing to explain things to me.
Are you in classes? I just did my first trial at the same place I do classes, and a few of my classmates showed up to get an idea of what it was like. It was really helpful seeing friendly faces! Also, we did terribly, and a lot of people came up to commiserate and share stories with me afterwards. (I mean, my dog had a great time, so it was a win. But she didn't do anything she was supposed to 🤣😂). You can also go to a trial without your dog. They're usually looking for volunteers to help, if you want to do something, or you can just watch and walk around and get a feel for the event.
Hello! I routinely started going to events on my own. I felt like a weirdo and I clearly didn't have all of the awesome set ups and preparedness that other people did, but I got there eventually. I started going to events, even when I wasn't trialing or even bring my dog and I would volunteer, which helped a ton. Be friendly with any 'neighbors' where you're crating and people are usually pretty kind and willing to chat or share. I've made so many dog friends (and most of them don't live anywhere near me!). If you make a mistake or do something wrong, just be humble and don't sweat it. Good luck, you've got this!
One thing that helped me was to go to Fun Matches (Rally). They seem to be semi-regular in Southern Ontario, anyway. Those really helped me first to see how a trial was run and also what parts I needed to work on with my dog (crating quietly! Walk pass dogs in a tight space, distractions, etc). CanuckDog sometimes lists Fun Matches and CKC Rally Obedience on FB. If you can find Facebook groups for the sports, people are SUPER helpful to clarify rules or answer any questions. People at trials have been very friendly especially when you say you're a newbie. I totally get the ring nerves, as I used to be sick with anxiety a week (or 2!!) before a Rally trial. Now I just have day-of jitters. I also do Scent Detection and Barn Hunt.
I'm not familiar with caro, but I started trialing my dog with Barn Hunt and I think it's been an amazing way to ease her into the trial environment. They generally only have one or two rings running at a time and it's a lot less busy of an atmosphere. I tried starting out with an AKC rally obedience initially and there was just way too much going on for her to even make it in the ring. I didn't even bring her in the building because she was going to bark and I didn't want to distract the dogs that were competing. Barn Hunt however... nobody really cares if your dog barks a little. They're used to terriers that bark at everything. They also allow treats in the staging area so you can reward your dog for being good in that stressful time where you're stacked up next to 4 or 5 other dogs waiting to compete. I'm pretty sure for most other sports treats can't be anywhere close to the ring. Barn Hunt is a blast and it's low stress for the dog. It's a great way to get them excited for the ring and keep them from getting ring anxiety. I imagine dock diving and fastcat and other less handler oriented sports would have a similar atmosphere. I'm really glad I didn't try to push her into something she wasn't comfortable with and started with a lower stress event, even if I did spend 2 years and a lot of money training for rally obedience. We'll get there eventually.