Photo Courtesy of Mark L. Baer 2019
Training Tip: Get Started in the Fun Sport of Fast CAT!
This issue’s tip is brought to us by long-time dog sports enthusiast and AKC Delegate Maureen Setter. Maureen’s dog, Gif, is consistently ranked as one of the fastest All American Dogs in Fast CAT and received an invitation to compete in the first-ever Fast CAT Invitational. She shares tips to help you and your Canine Partners get the most out of this fun sport in which dogs run a 100-yard dash in pursuit of a lure.
Years ago, I was at a meeting of the AKC Delegate Herding, Earthdog, and Coursing Events committee and someone tossed out the idea of offering a 100-yard dash for all dogs and calling it Fast CAT.
Up until that time, the only coursing event for all dogs was the 600- (300 for small dogs) yard Coursing Ability Test or CAT. I thought that Fast CAT was an excellent idea but never thought my dogs would be interested. Boy, did they prove me wrong!
When I decided to enter my first Fast CAT, I did everything wrong. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to prepare you so you and your dog can be ready to enjoy this really fun sport.
Things To Do Before Your 1st Fast CAT
- Read the AKC Regulations: The Fast CAT regs are embedded within the regulations for Lure Coursing Tests & Trials, CAT and FAST CAT. See Chapter 16. https://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/RELURE.pdf
- Find an Event: To find an event, go to the AKC website and click on Event Search, then Performance Events, and then Fast CAT. Choose the state or states and date range and click the search button. A list of events will appear with a wealth of information here: Sponsoring club, location, hours, fees, trial secretary, a map and sometimes a direct link to the premium list that includes the entry blank. Most clubs accept day-of-entries, but these usually require a higher entry fee than pre-entries. Most clubs hold two Fast CATs on the same day, and they have the option to either hold them concurrently or consecutively.
- Plan Your Trip: If you plan on staying overnight, make your reservations early – especially if the event is held in conjunction with an all-breed conformation dog show.
- Fill out an entry form: I use AKC’s fillable entry form pdf and save it on my pc. Then when entering additional events, I just have to fill in the date, location and event number. This is the link for the entry form: http://images.akc.org/pdf/LureCoursing_Entry.pdf . Most events have a limit, and some fill fast.
- Recruit a Helper: It takes two people to run one Fast CAT dog. One to release on the start line and a second to catch the dog at the end of the run. It is best to arrange this ahead of time if possible and it is helpful if the dog already knows the person, but not mandatory. If you do not have anyone, do not stay home as you can usually find someone at the event to help or some clubs provide helpers for this purpose.
Things To Do Day-Of
- Weather: Since Fast CAT events are held outside, check the weather report before you leave and make sure you have proper gear for your dog and you
- Be Prepared: Have plenty of water for your dog and you plus bring along your own shade and fans. For yourself also bring sunscreen and insect repellant.
- Bring 2 leashes for your dog: One is for your dog’s releaser, and one is for the catcher. Make sure that the releaser’s leash is easy to release or if your dog is going to run “naked” (without a collar), that the collar is easy for the releaser to take off.
- No Tags: If your dog wears a collar that has tags, the club might ask you to take the collar off for the run or tape up the tags. At my first Fast CAT, I had some blue painters tape and taped up my dog’s tag. Head collars, such as the Gentle Leader or Halti, may be used at a Fast CAT to walk your dog, but your dog can’t race wearing one.
- Double Check Info: When checking in at the event, you will be given an entry slip with your dog’s AKC number, call name, breed, etc. Be sure that this information is correct.
- Inspection: After checking in, the next step is usually the inspection committee. They will have you walk or trot your dog to be sure they are sound. They also will check females to make sure they are not in season; even, spayed females must be wiped to demonstrate this. If you don’t know your dog’s height, they will also measure your dog. Fast CAT competitors are divided into three size categories: small (under 12-inches); medium (12 to 18-inches); and large (18-inches and taller) receive a handicap accordingly. Make sure you’re your dog’s height or category is written on the entry slip.
- Running Order: Check to see if there is a running order organized by the club. Pre-entered dogs are usually listed first followed by day-of-entry dogs. Other clubs just have you get in line to run and do not have a specified order.
- Line Up on Time: When it is time to get in line, do so. I have my releaser with me and give them my dog’s entry slip. When there’s a couple of dogs before my dog’s run, I leave and walk the 100 yards to the end to catch my dog. Leave plenty of time for you (or your catcher) to walk this distance – remember it is the length of a football field. Clubs use a walkie-talkie system to relay when the catcher is ready to catch the dog and for the releaser to release the dog.
- Warm-up: Remember, our dogs are athletes. Before they run, make sure you get them out of the car or crate and give them a good walk. Develop a stretching routine to warm them up just before they run and make sure to walk them for a while after they run to cool down. Just Google “Warm-up/Cool-down routines for the canine athlete,” and you will find a wealth of information.
- Pick Up Ribbons: Some clubsrecord your dog’s time on the back of a light blue ribbon. If this is the case, be sure to back to the head table after your run and pick up your ribbon. Other club’s use two-part NCR paper for recording your dog’s results and give you the second page. Again, these will be at the head table.
- Show Appreciation: Before you leave, be sure to thank the club and the volunteers for hosting the event. During the day, if you have time, it is also nice to volunteer to help.
- Photos: Some clubs have professional photographers who capture the action and then sell the photos to owners. If there is a photographer at the event, be sure to pick up their business card or flier.
Things To Do AFTER Fast CAT
- Save Results: When I get home, I clip together my dog’s ribbons or score sheets with the premium list or flier for the event. I set these aside until the results for the event have been published, which usually takes several weeks. I also update my dog’s results in a spread sheet I keep for their runs. I include such things as: date of event, club, run time, calculated MPH, and points earned. I also have a column to check when I verify the results with what is published on the AKC website. My spread sheet also averages the top three scores for the year for my dog, the average score for all events for the year, and also the average for all scores from the very beginning of their Fast CAT career. I love statistics!
- Calculate Miles Per Hour: Some clubs calculate the MPH for the competitors, but others just give you the dog’s time and you do the math. Dogs earn points towards Fast CAT titles based on their times. For MPH, divide 204.545 by your dog’s time. Then for points earned you take the MPH and multiple this by your dog’s handicap (either 2 for small dogs, 1.5 for medium size dogs and 1 for large dogs).
- Verify Results Recorded Correctly: Several weeks after the event, go to the AKC Event Search and repeat the procedure you originally used in finding the event. To see if the results have been posted, click on ‘View Complete Event Details’. You will see the word Fast CAT (in blue lettering) if the results have been posted. Scroll down to see the results. If you see any discrepancies, contact the trial secretary. One mistake you might find is that they used an incorrect handicap for your dog when calculating points.
- Photos: Usually within a few days of the event, photographers will have uploaded photos (if a photographer was present). Some photographers group photos by the time of day they were taken. It makes it easier to find your photos if you remember the times of your runs.
- Take Advantage of AKC Resources: AKC’s My AKC contains a wealth of information. I use it for checking legs earned toward titles and also Fast CAT titles and points earned towards the next one. Check it out. It’s free!
In closing, remember that no matter what speed your dog runs, they enjoy it. In my book, that is all that counts!
Maureen Setter has been competing in AKC events since 1955, including conformation, obedience, herding, and rally. She also had a Delta Society Pet Partner. In addition to Fast CAT, she currently competes in flyball, agility and Coursing Ability Tests. She has been an AKC Delegate since 1994, representing the Cleveland All-Breed Training Club, and for many of those years, served on the Companion Events Committee. Before retiring and moving to Florida, she served as her club’s agility trial secretary for 25 years, obedience trial secretary for over 20 years, and later rally trial secretary.