ARFF Current 2025 Practice Schedule

ARFF practices at our home field in Carlisle, Massachusetts from late April until November (weather permitting). Our practices include full courses from USDAA, AKC, CPE and NADAC trials, as well as exercises designed to teach and refine handling skills. Members of the Practice Committee offer insights and assistance during practice for those who would like training help. ​
Wednesday 5:00 Playtime
5:45 Setup
6:00 Practice Time
7:00 Practice ends
Saturday 9:15 Setup
9:30 Practice Starts
11:00 Practice ends
11:00 Playtime
Sunday 3:00 Playtime
3:45 Setup
4:00 Practice Starts
5:00 Practice Ends
5:00 Playtime
Please bring the course/exercise maps to practice. You'll find them by clicking the link at the top of each description.
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Weekly Practice and Field Info

  • Serpentines with Table
    It may just be 4 jumps and a table, but these two serpentine exercises will keep you on your toes and happy for a pause at the table. Sign up and see who else has signed up at https://bit.ly/ARFF_Practice Please remember to bring your course maps with you to practice.
  • Practicing Backsides of Jumps
    Here’s the exercise Kristen Bartoli offered us to practice sending our dogs to the backsides of jumps. USE WINGS (it’s safer for the dog that way). You may want to practice your handling before you attempt the sequence with your dog, but workshop participants were able to handle this exercise at the end of the ... Read More
  • Building a Skill: Running behind a Tunnel
    There are times when it makes sense to run “behind” a tunnel (around the outside). This may weird out your dog unless you specifically train for it. Following up on the Building a Skill workshop, these exercises show you step-by-step what to do to introduce this concept  to your dog and hone his performance. Sign up ... Read More
  • Jump Box Tweaks
    Set up both of these jump squares and number them the same. Compare how each runs and how the challenges change as the jump angles and distances change. Sign up and see who else has signed up at https://bit.ly/ARFF_Practice Please remember to bring your course maps with you to practice.
  • Jumps, Tire & Weaves
    This setup features a tire perpendicular to the other obstacles. Keep in mind that you need to set up your dog’s path so that he can see the tunnel before you cue it. You’ll also be practicing various weave entries. Sign up and see who else has signed up at https://bit.ly/ARFF_Practice Please remember to bring your ... Read More

Signup and see who else has signed up at ARFF Practice Signup Sheet