You arrive at a trial, check in, and someone hands you a sheet of paper covered in numbered shapes, arrows, and dotted lines. This is the course map — also called a briefing sheet — and it's your blueprint for the run ahead.
If you've never seen one before, it can look like a puzzle. But once you understand the symbols and conventions, course maps become easy to read and incredibly useful.
What a Course Map Shows You
A course map is a bird's-eye view of the ring. It shows the position of every obstacle, the order you must take them in, and the path your dog should follow. The judge designs the course and creates the map, and it's usually posted or handed out before the walkthrough.
Every course map includes:
- The position of each obstacle in the ring
- A number on each obstacle showing the order
- The start and finish locations
- Arrows or lines showing the intended direction of travel
- Standard Course Time (SCT) for each height category
Obstacle Symbols
Each obstacle has a standard symbol. While there can be small variations between course design software, the basics are consistent:
- Jumps: A straight line (the bar) between two short perpendicular lines (the uprights). Doubles and triples show two or three parallel lines.
- Tunnel: A curved or straight tube shape, often drawn as two parallel curved lines.
- A-frame: An inverted V or triangle shape.
- Dog walk: A long rectangle, sometimes with a line at each end showing the ramps.
- Seesaw: Similar to the dog walk but usually shorter and marked differently (often with a triangle at the pivot point).
- Weave poles: A row of small dots or short vertical lines.
- Pause table: A square or rectangle.
- Tire: A circle.
- Broad jump: A series of short diagonal lines.
Numbered Sequence
Each obstacle has a number, starting at 1 (the first obstacle after the start) and ending at the last obstacle before the finish. Your dog must take the obstacles in this exact order. Taking an obstacle out of order is a “wrong course” fault and may result in elimination, depending on the organization.
Numbers are usually placed next to the obstacle, and an arrow shows which direction the dog should take it. This matters especially for tunnels (which end does the dog enter?) and contacts (which side does the dog go up?).
Start and Finish
The start line is typically shown with an “S” or “Start” label and a line across the path. Your dog crosses this line to start the timer. The finish line is marked with an “F” or “Finish” label. The timer stops when the dog crosses it.
Note that the start and finish are not always in the same location. On some courses, the finish line is on the opposite side of the ring from the start.
Arrows and Path Lines
Arrows on the map show the intended direction of travel between obstacles. They help you understand the flow of the course — where the dog should turn, where it should run in a straight line, and where the tricky handling moments are.
Some maps include a dotted or solid line showing the ideal dog path. This is the “dog line” — the most efficient route through the course. Your handling path as a human will be different from the dog's path, and planning both is a key part of the walkthrough.
The Walkthrough
Before each class, handlers get a few minutes to walk the course without their dogs. This is your chance to study the course in real life, not just on paper. Here's how to make the most of it:
First Walk: Follow the Numbers
Walk the course in order, obstacle by obstacle. Stand where the dog will be, look at each jump or tunnel, and identify the approach angle. Don't overthink handling yet — just learn the sequence.
Second Walk: Plan Your Handling
Now walk it again, but this time focus on where you need to be. Where will you cross behind the dog? Where will you need to push or pull? Identify the two or three spots on course that feel tricky and decide how you'll handle them.
Third Walk (If Time Allows): Rehearse
Walk the course at a faster pace, mimicking your actual handling moves. Point where you'll point, turn where you'll turn. This physical rehearsal helps lock the plan into your muscle memory.
Tips for Memorizing the Course
- Break it into chunks: Instead of memorizing 20 obstacles in order, group them into sections of 4–5 obstacles. “Start, three jumps to the tunnel, then the dog walk” is easier to remember than a list of 20 numbers.
- Identify landmarks: Use the big obstacles (A-frame, dog walk, weaves) as anchor points. Remember what comes before and after each one.
- Look for patterns: Many courses have flowing sections (a line of jumps) and technical sections (tight turns, discriminations). Recognizing these patterns speeds up memorization.
- Don't panic about forgetting: Everyone forgets a course sometimes. If you lose your place during a run, look for the next numbered obstacle. Stay calm and keep moving.
- Study the map before the walkthrough: If the map is posted early, look at it before you step into the ring. Having a rough mental picture before you walk makes the walkthrough more productive.
Common Course Map Mistakes
Even experienced handlers make these errors when reading course maps:
- Wrong tunnel entry: The map shows which end the dog enters, but it's easy to get turned around in the ring.
- Skipping an obstacle: Missing a number on the map, especially when obstacles are close together.
- Misreading the direction on a contact: Going up the down ramp of the dog walk, for example.
Take your time during the walkthrough. It's the only chance you get to study the course on foot, and a few extra minutes of preparation can save you from a costly mistake during your run.
Barkloop helps trial secretaries and clubs manage every class and every course — from publishing run orders to recording results. While you're memorizing the map, we're making sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.