Author: Zach Gulaboff Davis
Length: 88 pages
Release Date: 2024
Effective course design is fundamental to the sport of dog agility. Written as a comprehensive resource for competitors, trainers, judges, and aspiring judges alike, Agility Course Design approaches the craft of course design through a holistic lens, presenting a roadmap for success across sanctioning organizations and levels.
Understanding what makes a course "work" is critical to all aspects of dog agility whether you're a handler who wants to better analyze and run courses, a trainer looking to create meaningful exercises for your students, or a judge.
Beginning with the big picture of what makes a course flow, this book approaches course design through four main sections: Flow and the Four Quadrant Principle, The Maximization of Space, The Mechanics of Course Design, and Course Design in Practice, exploring the art in an increasingly detailed way.
On publication of the book, Zach commented, "I've long believed course design is simpler than it appears when distilled to its core elements, and I'm excited to have finally captured these concepts in this book."
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About the Author
Bringing with him a decade of judging experience and 20 years in the sport, Zach Gulaboff Davis has presided over events including The Westminster Kennel Club Masters Agility Championship Finals, AKC Agility Invitational, Northeast Agility Championship Finals, and the 2024 AKC National Agility Championship.
Active in a wide array of dog sports, Zach has competed with PACH2 Lucy the Corgi and Polo the Border Collie—a Rally High Combined winner at the Border Collie Society of America national specialty. These days, he frequently runs his wife Emily's Shetland Sheepdog, Sophie, who has been ranked the number one agility dog in her breed for multiple years. His competitive background spans Agility, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, Junior Showmanship, and Conformation.
Beyond the agility arena, Zach is a multifaceted professional with pursuits in music composition, higher education, and real estate investment. He holds a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and brings skills in educational training, project management, and event organization. Originally from Los Angeles and raised in Oregon, Zach divides his time between Jersey City, New Jersey, and Northeast Ohio.
If you ever have time, ask him about the countless parallels between composing and one of his favorite activities, course design—but be prepared for a long conversation!
Zach will "retire" from judging in late 2024 to join the AKC as an Agility Executive Field Representative.
