By Heidi Dahms Foster
If you love to watch your dog run full on, and enjoy hanging out with other dog lovers, you might want to check out a Fast CAT (Coursing Ability Test) trial near you.
Fast CAT is a relatively new, popular sport in which dogs essentially run a 100-yard dash within a set course, chasing—wait…a plastic bag? The bags, or lures, are drawn by a motorized line.
Dogs find this fast-moving target irresistible, and hilarity ensures when you see their expressions of excitement and joy as they engage in the chase.
American Kennel Club Fast CAT trials have been conducted in the greater Prescott area through the Chino Valley Canine Training Club (CVCTC) and the Prescott Arizona Kennel Club (PAKC), organized by Harmony Dog Sports. PAKC conducted their first Fast CAT trials March 15th and 16th at Liberty Traditional School in Prescott Valley.
The conditions were a bit challenging in a spring snow, but everyone enjoyed the day. CVCTC conducted two Fast CAT trials in 2024, and scheduled another on April 26 and 27 at Heritage Middle School in Chino Valley.
The sport is open to all dogs whether purebred or mixed breed. Competing dogs can earn points and titles in Fast CAT, with their average times converted to miles per hour and taking into account their height.
Fast CAT provides exercise and mental stimulation for your dog, and encourages relationships between you and your dog, and with other dog lovers. It’s also an exciting sport to watch. As a bonus, if you love photos of your dog, Fast CAT produces some amazing action shots.
CVCTC President Sharon Bryant competes in Fast CAT and several other dog sports with her Malinois Ryland, a breed notable for needing a job to do. “Fast CAT doesn’t really require any training and we have a blast watching him run at over 29 mph. He can just let loose and have a good time.”
Because Fast CAT doesn’t require a great deal of training like other dog sports, it’s an easy way to observe your dog simply having fun. “I can just enjoy the moment and not think about how to fix what we did wrong. There is no wrong,” Bryant said.
All sizes and breeds of dogs can enjoy Fast CAT. CVCTC Vice President Maggi Lieber competes in Fast CAT with her small Cairn Terriers. “Fast CAT is a great release for those dogs that just have to run and have a high prey drive,” she said.
Darla Cassidy competes with her Samoyed Halo, a larger dog. And Teena Meadors runs her tiny Russian Toy, Coco Puff. Meadors said Puff isn’t interested in obedience or rally, but the first time she had a taste of Fast CAT, she was hooked.
“It’s well known now that as soon as Puff is out of the car at trials, she starts making noises you’d never expect to come out of an animal!
“For her, it’s her terrier background. It satisfies her prey drive. There are breeds you wouldn’t think would do well in Fast CAT, but I’ve seen them go bonkers on the course,” Meadors said.
While required training for Fast CAT is minimal, your dog should want to chase the bag. Dogs must be 12 months old to compete, and must be healthy.
A reliable recall is important so you can catch your dog at the end of its run. “Train a recall so you’re not chasing them all over after they’ve run!” Lieber said.
You can train your dog to chase a lure by introducing them to a bag on the end of a pole. Most dogs have the instinct to chase the bag, and you can make the training into a fun game.
Once your dog is interested in the bag, or lure, you can check with your local dog clubs to find a fun run, or attend a trial to see what it’s all about before entering. YouTube also has a number of videos that will familiarize you with the sport.
More tips on getting started with Fast CAT: tinyurl.com/4jatt3zt
Upcoming Fast Cat AKC events: tinyurl.com/yn9zak2a
Local club events: Chino Valley Canine Training Club (cvctc.net) or Prescott Kennel Club (prescottarizonakennelclub.com)
