Club policies.

Every student agrees to these policies when they register. They're published here in full so you can read them before you sign up, and come back to them any time.

Dog control and class safety rules

Training Director. References to the Training Director mean the person serving in that position or, while the position is vacant, the GDA Board or a person designated by the Board to perform those duties.

1. Handler responsibility. Each handler is responsible for maintaining control of their dog, providing sufficient space between their dog and other dogs or people, and notifying the Head Instructor or Training Director of any known behavior or safety concern. Every handler must keep their dog controlled around every dog, whether or not a dog is wearing a yellow or red bandana.
2. Leash rule. Dogs must remain on leash except while actively running a set or sequence, and must be leashed promptly when the run is complete.
3. Crate rule. Dogs must be crated upon arrival during setup and again during teardown at the end of class. This requirement protects the dogs and allows participants to assist safely with class preparation and cleanup.
4. Bandana notices. Yellow and red bandanas may be used to identify dogs that require additional space, restrictions, or handling precautions. A bandana is a warning aid only and does not transfer responsibility away from any handler. Handlers must follow any bandana-related requirements communicated by GDA.
5. Directions and removal. Handlers must follow reasonable class-safety directions. GDA may stop a dog or handler from participating, require additional restrictions, suspend participation, or require removal from the premises when GDA reasonably believes that conduct presents a safety concern.
6. Dog health and fitness. Handlers confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, their dog is physically able to participate, and disclose any known medical, behavioral, or control issue that could affect safety. A dog that is in heat, pregnant, nursing, lame, ill, or otherwise unable to participate safely may not participate unless GDA has approved an appropriate accommodation in advance.

Unsafe or aggressive dog behavior

Because classes involve multiple dogs, unsafe or aggressive behavior may occur despite reasonable control measures. The Head Instructor or Training Director will determine whether conduct constitutes an incident under this policy. The following progressive process ordinarily applies; however, GDA may skip one or more steps and immediately suspend or remove a dog when the seriousness of the conduct warrants immediate action.

First incident

• The red-bandana requirements go into effect and the dog is placed on a 12-month probation.
• The Head Instructor completes an incident report and notifies the Training Director.
• Applicable leash, crate, spacing, and control requirements are reviewed with the handler and may be reiterated to the class.

Second incident

• The dog is suspended from class pending mandatory obedience or behavioral training.
• The handler must provide documentation showing successful completion of training equivalent to eight weeks of instruction.
• Appropriate GDA staff will evaluate the dog's behavior around other dogs before reinstatement.
• If reinstated, the red-bandana requirements remain in effect and the 12-month probation begins again.
• The Head Instructor records the outcome in an incident report, and the Training Director notifies the handler of the reinstatement decision and any conditions.

Third incident

• The dog is expelled from GDA classes.
• The handler may appeal the decision to the GDA Board of Directors within 30 days. The Board's decision is final under this policy.

Equipment handling, setup and teardown rules

Tasks require different levels of strength, reach, experience, and mobility. Each participant is responsible for deciding whether they are physically able to perform a particular task safely.

The Equipment Manager provides an equipment briefing at the beginning of each 16-week class session before equipment is moved. Participants follow that briefing, the written setup and teardown procedures, posted equipment signs, and equipment-specific staffing or experience requirements.

Equipment handling can involve heavy or awkward loads, shifting or unstable weight, wheeled equipment, carts, hand trucks, ramps or inclines, uneven or rutted ground, pinch and crush points, dropped equipment, restricted visibility, and collisions. These conditions can cause strains, sprains, back injuries, falls, impact injuries, hand or foot injuries, property damage, or other harm.

The rules

• Select tasks you can perform safely. If an item is too heavy, bulky, awkward, or difficult for you to control, ask another person for assistance or choose a different task.
• Comply with every posted two-person requirement or recommendation and with all experienced-operator or training requirements.
• Do not operate the loaded pole barrel and hand truck unless you are experienced operating a hand truck with a heavy load and can control it safely.
• Do not adjust the height of an A-frame, dog walk, teeter, or other adjustable equipment unless you have been instructed and have the experience and assistance required by the procedures and signs.
• Use required carts, hand trucks, wheel systems, straps, and other handling devices, and do not bypass or defeat a safety feature.
• Before moving equipment, confirm that the travel path is clear and that other people, dogs, hands, and feet are clear of the load and potential pinch or impact areas.
• Coordinate lifting and lowering with the other person when equipment requires or recommends two people. Both people must be ready before the movement begins.
• Use safe lifting practices, including keeping the load close, avoiding twisting, and lifting with your legs while keeping your back in a neutral, upright position.
• Wear footwear suitable for running and for moving equipment on wet, uneven, grass, or dirt surfaces.
• Stop work and get help if equipment shifts, becomes unstable, cannot be controlled, or if any condition appears unsafe.
• Promptly report damaged equipment, missing safety devices, unsafe conditions, near misses, and injuries. Do not use equipment that has been identified or marked as out of service.
• Keep your dog crated and do not permit a dog to interfere with setup or teardown.

Equipment at a glance

Approximate weights from the procedures. The full PDF has the complete handling steps for each item, and the sign posted on or near each item controls if it is more restrictive.

Registration agreement and waiver

Every student signs the Class Registration Agreement and Waiver when they register. It includes the dog control, behavior and equipment rules above, plus the terms below. Separate acknowledgment is required for the equipment-handling provisions and for the assumption-of-risk and release provisions.

Nature of agility training and acknowledgment of risks

I understand that dog agility is conducted at an outdoor public facility in the presence of other dogs, handlers, instructors, volunteers, and members of the public. Participation requires physical activity by me and my dog and may include walking, running, stopping, turning, jumping, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and working around obstacles and moving equipment.

Agility equipment may include A-frames, dog walks, teeters, tunnels, jumps, tire jumps, weave poles, tables, carts, hand trucks, sand-filled tunnel bags, planks, poles, cones, and related components. Participation may result in falls, strains, sprains, back injuries, pinch or crush injuries, impact from equipment, dog bites, collisions, illness, paralysis, death, injury to a dog, or damage to property.

Risks may arise from uneven, wet, slippery, or rutted ground; daylight or nighttime conditions; temperature and weather; the movement, adjustment, setup, use, or teardown of equipment; actions of dogs; and actions or omissions of participants, instructors, volunteers, members of the public, or other persons. I understand that these risks include both known and unanticipated risks.

Assumption of risk, release and waiver

Please read this section carefully. It affects important legal rights.

Voluntary participation and assumption of risk. I voluntarily choose to participate, and to allow my dog to participate, in GDA classes and associated activities. I understand the nature of the activities and the risks described in this agreement. I knowingly and voluntarily accept and assume all risks of bodily injury, illness, death, injury to or death of my dog, and loss of or damage to property arising from my or my dog's presence or participation, including setup and teardown, except to the extent a risk cannot lawfully be assumed or waived.

Released Parties. For purposes of this agreement, the Released Parties are Good Dog Agility Club Inc. and its officers, directors, members, instructors, Training Director, Equipment Manager, equipment coordinators, volunteers, employees, agents, and contractors; Faith Family Church; and the owners, lessors, and operators of the facility and premises used for GDA activities, together with their respective officers, employees, agents, and volunteers.

Release and waiver. To the fullest extent permitted by Arizona law, I release, waive, discharge, and agree not to sue the Released Parties for claims, demands, causes of action, damages, or liabilities arising from or related to my or my dog's presence or participation in GDA activities, including equipment setup and teardown, even when a claim alleges that an injury or loss was caused in whole or in part by the ordinary negligence of one or more Released Parties. This release does not apply to gross negligence, reckless or intentional misconduct, or any right or claim that cannot lawfully be released.

Understanding of rights. I understand that this agreement is intended to limit the legal liability of the Released Parties and that I may be giving up the right to recover damages for claims covered by this release. I have had the opportunity to read this agreement, ask questions, and seek legal advice before signing it.

Responsibility for conduct, property damage and third-party claims

I accept responsibility for my conduct and for controlling my dog. I am responsible for injury or damage caused by me or my dog to another person, another dog, equipment, or real or personal property to the extent provided by law.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, I agree to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from third-party claims and reasonable related costs to the extent caused by my negligent or intentional conduct, my failure to follow GDA safety rules, or the actions of my dog. This obligation does not apply to the extent a claim is caused by the negligence or misconduct of a Released Party.

Minor participants

A participant who is under 18 must be accompanied at class by a parent or legal guardian or by an adult specifically designated by the parent or legal guardian. Regardless of who accompanies the minor, this agreement must be signed by the minor's parent or legal guardian. A minor may assist with setup or teardown only with a task appropriate to the minor's age and ability and under direct adult supervision.

By signing, the parent or legal guardian consents to the minor's participation, acknowledges the described risks, agrees to instruct the minor to follow the applicable rules, and agrees to the terms of this agreement on the parent or guardian's own behalf and, to the extent permitted by law, on behalf of the minor.

General terms

1. Arizona law. This agreement is governed by Arizona law.
2. Severability. If a court determines that any provision is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
3. Electronic signature. An electronic signature, typed signature, or signature captured through the registration form has the same effect as a handwritten signature to the extent permitted by law.
4. Safety procedures. GDA's written equipment procedures and posted safety signs provide operational instructions and may be updated as equipment or conditions change. I agree to follow the procedures and signs in effect when I participate.
5. Complete agreement. This document constitutes the agreement concerning the matters addressed here. I am not relying on an oral promise that contradicts this written agreement.

Questions about the agreement? Email secretary@gooddog.org before you register.

Safety requirements

• Dogs must be crated or penned when not working — never tied to a fence, chair or object and left unattended
• Dogs must be current on vaccinations
• Dogs must be at least 9 months old before the first class
• Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs
• Dogs should be able to cope in a group setting without undue stress

Facility rules

• Enter through the gate entrance — there is no access inside the church
• No restrooms are available on site
• Crates go under the awning
• The playground is off limits

Policies updated October 2026.