Teamwork to the Top: Marin Humane Pair Heads to World Agility Contest

Moxy and Annette, a team to be reckoned with if their awards are any indication. photos: Barking Dog Images

It’s time to admit it: my agility instructor is always right. Whenever I grudgingly apply her advice to whatever handling dilemma I’m struggling with, she is unfailingly spot on. Meanwhile, you can practically hear my dog’s eyes roll in the background; it knew she was right all along. Meet Annette Thomason, the Marin Humane Behavior & Training Agility Program Supervisor and instructor extraordinaire. 

Annette’s stewardship of the Marin Humane Agility Program began almost seven years ago. At the time she was winding up her professional teaching career as a high school science instructor and looking forward to contributing more to the Bay Area agility community. And contribute she has. In addition to developing a companion-dog-friendly agility instruction program, mentoring new agility instructors, and teaching four weekly classes, she actively volunteers with other organizations promoting agility trials throughout the Bay Area. But her crowning achievement will be to represent the United States, along with her canine teammate Moxxy, at this month’s Senior Open Agility World Championship in Mannheim, Germany. 

Annette and Moxy enjoying some time away from the competition. photo: Barking Dog Images

Moxxy is a six-and-a-half year old female Border Collie. She and Annette have spent the past 18 months competing in various trials across the United States, culminating in the World Team Tryouts for the European Senior Open last February. There are four highly competitive height division teams in agility - Small, Medium, Intermediate, and Large - and for three days, Annette and Moxxy competed against many contenders in the Large category, earning points for speed and accuracy. When the dust settled, Annette and Moxxy had placed 5th overall and, after the selection committee reviewed scores and times, the pair received an invitation to join the U.S. team in the Large Division. 

International competition requires adherence to the host country’s animal welfare laws. Because the event takes place in Germany, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) guidelines apply. Dogs with cropped ears or docked tails are prohibited from competing. All dogs must be healthy, at least 18 months old, and free from performance-altering wraps or tape. 

International courses differ from traditional U.S. agility courses. Germany’s FCI-dictated courses emphasize speed, call for a spacing of 21 to 26 feet between obstacles, and focus on technical handling. Compared to smaller domestic AKC-type courses, international courses demand that dogs be independent and forward-focused, able to select the correct line or path of movement from a distance. Large, fast dogs enjoy these courses because their design keeps the dog moving smoothly and safely without requiring body twists or sudden jarring stops as in smaller, tighter courses. The ideal line isn’t always the shortest distance between obstacles; rather it’s the path that best maintains the dog’s momentum and stride. 

But any course is fun for the agility enthusiast who enjoys dog training as much as they do agility handling. The dog-handler communication system for this sport is complex, employing handler body rotation, shoulder and feet positioning, physical speed, and well-trained verbal cues. Truly, the training journey is as much fun as the destination - even for those of us who will never compete on the world stage.

The Marin Humane Behavior & Training Agility Program reflects Annette Thomason’s penchant for large, sweeping, international-style courses. Courses change weekly, occasionally featuring a domestic style AKC-type map on the newly renovated 130’ x 70’ artificial turf field in Novato, CA. Marin Humane’s training program is unique in that its curriculum supports newcomers to the sport from the Marin Humane Companion Dog Training Program, while still maintaining the foundational precision required for teams to eventually advance to domestic or European style competitions. In fact, if you’re looking for some physical and mental stimulation for you and your absolute best furry friend, come on over. We’ll be happy to get you started. 

Meanwhile, best of luck to Annette, Moxxy, and all the other amazing dog-handler teams representing the United States in Germany this summer. We know they’ll do us proud.