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Agility Course Test (ACT) Program

Agility Course Test (ACT) Program

The Agility Course Test (ACT) is an entry level agility event designed to introduce and welcome beginning dogs and their handlers to the AKC sport of agility.

There are two types of ACT courses. ACT Standard – ACT 1 and ACT 2 – which are the beginning level standard courses.  Starting February 1, 2021 ACT Jumpers – ACT 1J and ACT 2J – is being added to the ACT program.  These are entry level Jumpers courses (no Aframe, Dogwalk, Teeter or Table on courses).  ACT 1 and ACT 1J are designed for the beginning dog to show basic sequencing and performance skills. ACT 2 and ACT 2J requires an increased skill level shown by the additional number and types of obstacles to be performed.

In addition to showing their dog’s entry level skills, exhibitors will learn to fill out an AKC entry form, check-in at the ring, taking their dog in and out of ring, handling their dog while being judged and other information that will help them when they move on to AKC agility trials with their dog.  Dogs must be 15 months old to enter these events.  They do not need to be AKC registered at the time of entry.

Please visit the ACT Virtual Program to find out how to participate from home or your local training site.

Click Here To Find Our Calendar of ACT Events

Send email to act@akc.org for assistance in adding your ACT event to our calendar!

ACT Presentation

Click Here for a detailed PDF presentation about AKC’s new ACT program.

Click Here for a ZIP file containing the Power Point PPT file for this presentation.

ACT Evaluator Package – revised 4-1-2024

Click Here to download a ZIP containing a package of PDF and XLS files necessary for conducting an ACT event.

Combined Agility Regs, Judge’s Guidelines, Dog Show Rules, etc.

Combined-Regs_GL_Blog_RADS_MR_Dis_asof-7-23

This is a combined PDF containing the following documents:

  • AKC Agility Regulations – as of 1/2022
  • AKC Agility Judge’s Guidelines – as of 3/2020
  • AKC Agility Trial Manual – as of 1/2020
  • AKC Dog Show Rules – as of 3/2023
  • AKC Match Regulations – as of 8/2022
  • Dealing With Misconduct – as of 8/2022
  • Discipline Guidelines – as of 8/2022
  • AKC Agility Judge blog entries – as of 12/2022
  • AKC Agility Trial Secretary blog entries – as of 12/2021

As such, it allows you to search for a topic across multiple sources.

Want to get started in Agility at home? The Agility Course Test (ACT) is an entry-level agility event designed to introduce and welcome beginning dogs and their handlers to the AKC sport of agility. All ACT programs, including ACT Jumpers are being offered virtually.