I'm just perusing the kennel club's section on agility, and it says that dogs/handlers can progress on points if wanted, not only on firsts.  Has anyone got any experience of this - is it true?

The one thing that's always put me off competition (aside from not having any dogs ready for it :D) is that I know darn well none of my dogs could progress on time alone - Soli is damn fast but she's too big to beat the likes of a collie, and I'd be willing to bet that even in an ABC class there's be something in her height class that's speedier.  Moving up by points would be a godsend - or is that a dogsend? :p

I'm really hoping to get into the competition soon, although obviously for now with the whole jobless thing it's going to have to wait.  But despite lengthy absences from it by both dobes, they're both still good at it - Remy's lost a lot of speed, but that's partly because he's very unfit, and partly because he's quite overweight. I'm working on both of those!  We're going to shape up together :D

Yes, you can progress on points but I think only through grades 1, 2 and 3 but hopefully someone will be along to clarify/correct that. I don't see the point though (no pun intended :D) If you can't win a grade 1 (and we can't ;)) then you're not likely to win a  higher class - so will have more fun in the lower class where at least you won't feel out of place, and may occasionally be placed. Just my opinion though :)

You can progress up to grade 5 on points if you wish, there is information on the agility eye site http://www.agilityeye.co.uk/docs/Agilityrulechanges-grades-explained.pdf

But surely it isn't about winning but having fun with your dog!

Of course it is, that's my primary reason for doing it - but at the same time, I wouldn't want to compete knowing I'd be so limited by a slower dog as I would just working on placements for each competition.  Obviously I don't see myself ending up at crufts with the dogs I have now - although River could be a contender if I can get her a little less nervous... :p but it'd be lovely to think I could have something to show for the work I put in.

It'd also be nice to progress reasonably well with a 6-yr old rehomed dobe! :D

ETA:  Thanks for the link :)