Does your dog love to run or chase? Fast CAT, which stands for Coursing Ability Test, is one of the most popular AKC sports and a great opportunity to test just how fast your dog is. In this sport, dogs complete a timed 100-yard dash, running one at a time as they chase a lure. To increase your enjoyment, follow these steps to get your dog ready!
How Do I Enter a Fast CAT Trial?
Both purebred and mixed breed dogs are eligible to compete, as long as they’re individually registered with the AKC. Although dogs can practice coursing at a younger age, to participate in Fast CAT they must be at least 12 months old.
The best way to find a Fast CAT event is to visit the AKC events site. The “premium list” will list all the details of the event, including contact information, in case you need more details. Look for the local club Chair or Secretary as your best contact point.
You may also find out about events by contacting a local kennel club or coursing club. Many clubs hold Fast CAT events in conjunction with conformation shows.
The good thing about most Fast CAT trials is that you can usually enter on the day of the trial. Typical entry fees range from $20 to $25. If you enter a trial on the day of the event, the entry fee may be an additional $5 or $10 more. Fees for practice or “fun” runs are typically less expensive, ranging from $5 to $15. However, on busy days, regular runs get priority over fun runs.
Training Your Dog to Run in Fast CAT
It’s never too late to train your dog to chase a lure. In most trials, the lure is a white kitchen garbage bag on a line. You can introduce the pole lure to your dog in several ways. The best way is to put your dog on one side of a wire fence and tease them with the lure from the other side. Flick it back and forth, and, once in a while, flick it into the yard with the dog. Let them catch it occasionally, but not too often. Next, go inside the yard with them. Run around your dog, swishing the lure in a circle, and let them chase and occasionally catch the lure.
While it’s fun to run your dog with the pole lure, it’s crucial to be careful when you first start training. If your dog is excited about the lure, they may run blindly after it, and you can accidentally run them into fences, trees, or other people or dogs. They can also leap wildly into the air when the lure changes direction and could hurt themselves when landing.
But what if your dog doesn’t seem interested? Try buying a soft, closable bag that you can put yummy treats in, and attach that to the garbage bag. Train them incrementally, so they learn that when they catch the bag, they’ll get the treats. You could even put the treats in a sandwich bag, so they bite the baggie open when they catch it, and automatically get the treats. This training method will likely take longer, as you are training them to chase rather than just letting their natural instinct do all the work for you, but it can be done.
Finally, remove the toy, so they’re just chasing the garbage bag. You can have a friend hold them, while you walk about 50 feet away, then start running straight away, dragging the bag behind you. Have your friend let them go and praise them when they catch the bag. If you repeat this, they’ll get the idea of starting fast.
Finally, you’ll want to run them on a real lure. The easiest way is to find a Fast CAT trial and sign up for a practice run. In these events, you can usually run alongside your dog and urge them to chase, which you cannot do during an official event. It’s important to note that practice runs are often held on large fields. If your dog likes to run away, it may be best to wait until you’ve trained them to come to you reliably before participating.
What Do I Do on the Day of the Trial?
If your dog will be competing later in the day, feed them a very light breakfast If your dog might run within two hours of when they usually eat, it may be best to put off breakfast until after they’ve completed their run and cooled down.
If you have a pre-appointed run time, be sure to show up at least a half hour early. More often, runs are arranged in the order you show up. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of not standing in line. Check in or hand in your entry as soon as you get to the event. There should be a table with a few people behind it taking entries and checking dogs. Have your dog with you when you arrive there.
Inspection Before the Run
Every dog will be asked to trot in a straight line away from and back toward an inspection person, who will check to ensure each dog isn’t injured in some way. The inspection person will check each female by wiping her vulva with a tissue to make sure she’s not in season. If a dog is lame or in season, they can’t run, and the club will refund your entry fee.
Once you’ve passed inspection, you need to make sure your dog empties its bowels before running. If they stop on the track to do so, they will not get a do-over and will automatically fail. In addition, carrying the added weight will slow them down. Try to get this done before checking in, but if you can’t, inform the check-in crew that you need to walk your dog before running.
Warming Up
Now that your dog has pooped and peed, you’ll want them to warm up, just like a human racer does. If you can, trot them around for about five minutes. If it’s a warm day, make sure your dog doesn’t get overheated. Bring water in a spritzer bottle and spray any bare skin to cool them before running. If you’re standing in line before running, make sure your dog stays in the shade.
Ideally, you’ll have a friend with you, as you’ll need two people: one to release, and the other to catch your dog. It’s against the rules for you to do both, and it would take far too much time for you to release, then call your dog back, or run down to the end to catch it. If you’re alone, ask the committee to help you find somebody — most people will be excited to help. It’s usually advised to have the stranger release your dog, and you catch it.
Getting Ready to Run
It’s important to respect the other dogs ahead of the run, and avoid standing near the track. If your dog barks as another dog runs by, it could distract or scare that dog and ruin its run. If your dog barks or gets upset in line, try to move them away from other dogs that could be upset.
Some crews will use the following terms to let you know who’s next to run:
- “To the line!” means it’s your turn to walk into the track area and to the starting line.
- “On deck!” means you are next in line.
- “In the hole!” means you are next, after the “On Deck” dog.
Most Fast CAT Trials have more entries than time, so it’s important that you respond when they call you to be in any of these places and get in line.
What Do I Do Once at the Starting Line?
Before your run, wait for the huntmaster to tell you when to enter the starting area. Ask the huntmaster to check your dog’s collar and leash for any safety concerns, and go over how you will release the dog. Your dog can wear a collar but should not have any hanging tags.
The lure may still need to be run into its place at the start, so hold on tight to your dog, and make sure both of you are clear from the line. The dog’s front feet must be within the start box, but their back feet can be outside of it. Some dogs tend to jump around and may end up facing the wrong way.
Once in place, the huntmaster will ask you if you’re ready. When you say yes, the huntmaster will then check that the lure operator is prepared, and then check to make sure you’re still ready. If yes, they’ll signal the lure operator to start the lure. Once the lure is in motion and has a small head start, the huntmaster will yell, “Tally-ho!” Your job is to release your dog when you hear the “T” in Tally-ho.
Here’s a tip: Watch your dog, not the lure. If you watch the lure, you’re much more likely to let go of your dog too soon. Timing starts when your dog breaks the electronic timing device beam just past the start line, not when the lure starts to move. If the lure is too close, your dog may not run as fast.
You aren’t allowed to call your dog back to you at the start line once it has completed the course. However, some dogs do run back to the start, so, once they’re committed, you can encourage them to return.
The catcher should be at the finish when the dog enters the start area. The catcher reaches the catch area by walking alongside, not on, the track to the catch area gate. Never open that gate until told to do so, as a loose dog could be inside. Once inside the catch area, avoid stepping on or touching the line, As the running dog approaches, don’t stand in their path. They may plow right into you!
What Do I Do After the Run?
Once your dog is securely leashed, promptly exit the catch area, so the next dog can run. Walk your dog so they can cool down. In hot weather, there may be a cool off hose or pool for your dog to enjoy. Walk your dog until they quit panting hard, and offer them sips of water.
If your dog qualifies, an official will have their ribbon with their time on it after their run. This may be in a separate tent, often near the lure operator halfway down the course. Be sure to get it, as it will tell you how many points they earned. To qualify, they had to run the entire length without interruption.
If you’ve entered a second run that same day, let them rest until it’s time for the next run — then do it all over again!