This month’s Meet the Judge is Doug Ricks! 

 I am very lucky to live on five acres, southeast of Seattle in Maple Valley, Washington. In addition to having most of it fenced for the dogs to “run free”, we have an agility arena on the property, so my commute to work is a five minute walk down the hill.

   There are six dogs ruling the place at this time. The two girls include the oldest Mazzi, a 12 year old cattle dog, followed by Rainy a 10 year old rescue aussie.  Then comes the boys : Boomer the aussie is almost 7, Reuben the Rottweiler is 4, Strider is a 2 year old aussie, and last but in no way least is Oberon who is a Rottweiler with endless energy for everything at a year and a half. Always something going on with a pack like this.

   My day job, besides maintaining 5 acres, is as co-owner of Seattle Agility Center. We have classes in not only agility, but in nosework, basic and competition obedience, and Rally Obedience. There is some sort of class or activity going seven days a week and we really like to focus on the family dogs and those who really are into dogs for the love of dogs and the joy of play with them.

   We got started in agility about 15 years ago, because it just looked like so much fun. Diana had a “Runtweiller” who weighed less than 90 pounds and could run and jump with the best. My aussie was born to work, and really needed an active pursuit. We were training obedience at the time, and agility frankly looked like a whole lot more fun.

    I started up the ranks as an SP-1 judge in the summer of 2002. I wanted to be a judge in order to give back to the sport that had been such a big part of my life.  And since we introduce so many people to the sport, I wanted to contribute to making as many trials available to people as possible. I have enjoyed so many great benefits from judging, and not just learning how to stand in freezing and boiling temperatures for hours. There are so many great people and dogs that I have had the pleasure of watching, and really enjoy the chance to go back to an area and see a team that struggled in novice now sailing though elite.

    I really enjoy all of the classes as a judge, but my favorite is almost always jumpers. When the course is set just right and a dog and handler have everything working there is a beautiful grace and flow as they glide through the course.  Tunnelers is a close second most times because other than getting off course, what can go wrong? No bars, no contacts, no weaves, just run as fast as you can.

   My favorite class to compete in is also one of the most challenging for me at times, Touch n  Go.  Finding that balance between drive and control.  And of course jumpers is not far behind.

   When competing, I try to never leave for a trial without my dog. I have to admit one time I was actually backing out of the driveway when I noticed it was very quiet in the back seat. And what would I never leave home without when going to judge? My I-pod of course. I really don’t know how anyone survived those cross country flights without Angry Birds and custom music playlists – and noise cancelling headphones that do not quite block crying babies but make Eric Clapton sound ever so good.

    Lastly, I would like to thank NADAC for the opportunity to judge. Over the past 10+ years I have had the pleasure of seeing thousands of runs, and endless hours of people doing what agility is supposed to be all about – having fun with your dog. 

Doug Ricks