Despite my best efforts, I am that person who forgets the most important items on the list…
Years ago, I went camping for an agility show with a friend and managed to forget a sleeping bag, camp stretcher and my toothbrush! Fortunately, she had a spare sleeping bag although it was child-sized and only came halfway up my body. There’s nothing like a weekend sleeping in the foetal position to make you rethink your prep… Although I did manage to source a new toothbrush from the local dairy – phew!
Why Packing Matters
Although my chosen dog sport has changed, field trialing also requires a certain level of preparedness. Having the right gear can really make or break the day.
The nature of field trials makes packing properly a bit of a challenge. Obvious variables include things like the weather and the location. Spring and Autumn are particularly tricky as you can experience all four seasons in a day. Grounds can also be unpredictable. Even at familiar grounds, some areas can be unexpectedly soggy underfoot. Or, the judge sets up their course in a part of the site that hasn’t been used before and you’re wading through long wet grass or navigating a ditch at a moments notice.
With the right gear you’re comfortable, you feel ready for what the day can throw at you, and this all helps to create a calm and collected handler at the peg. We all want to be able to focus on what really matters – the dog. So, it’s important that we take out some of the potentially unnecessary stress by showing up with all the gear, and some idea!
What I Pack and Why
I want to preface this by saying that this is my list. It is not meant to be gospel and I’m sure, as I pointed out earlier, there will be things that I’ve forgotten! My intention here is to show you the things that I have, through experience, found to be most useful in the broadest sense on trial days.
Essentials for the Dog
Keeping the dog comfortable between runs or sections is really important so that they enjoy the day as much as you do. Non-negotiables include all the typical things you’d expect to find – enough water for one and a half days, a bowl to put it in, some treats for when they are an especially good girl or boy and likely a treat pouch or container to keep them safe in-between times. For comforts sake, I also include a blanket for the crate in the back of my truck and a towel or drying coat for sorting them out after the water sections.
As responsible dog owners, we should also have a slip lead to keep them under control when they’re not on the course. Poo bags are a part of this kit too – because, well, shit happens.
Handler Essentials
While I’m sure most of us know how to dress for the outdoors, I will draw special attention to a few items I find exceptionally valuable. Sore, wet feet are no joke. It is for this reason that good hiking socks (for me, that’s merino) and sturdy footwear are also non-negotiable. Depending on the weather, the terrain, and how far I’m walking, that footwear might be my trusty Skellerup Quatro gumboots (see my earlier post on why I love these) or it could be my leather hiking boots.
Trial days can be long and you might find yourself on the helpers list. This means you could expect to spend a few hours sat in the field loading throwers, manning the gun, or penciling for the judge. That is a bitter existence if you’re not in the right gear. I normally have clothing for every season, just in case. That means I’ve got all my wet weather gear (jacket and over-trousers), a long-sleeved shirt for extra sun protection, a sun hat, a rain hat, a wooly hat, a buff, gloves, and multiple insulation layers (again, my preference is for merino but other technical fabrics work too).
On top of that, I also have a white shell jacket. Now, this is an optional extra. White jackets help once you are at the stage where you might be casting your dog while they are out in the field. White offers a better contrast to the backdrop behind you when you’re on the peg. Again, this isn’t something you’d likely need at a Novice level, but it’s definitely something to consider once you’re in Limit and beyond.
Trial Specific Kit
Aside from a white coat, there are other items that you’ll need for the peg. A game bag (to put any birds your dog retrieves) is a much better option than having to cram a dead pigeon into your jacket pocket – trust me! You will also want to have your whistles around your neck on a lanyard in case you need to recall or stop your dog in the field at distance. I also find having a small bumper in my bag to throw as a reward when our run is over is a great way to reinforce good behaviour.
Something else to consider is having a copy of the running order and helpers list downloaded to your phone. Similarly, directions to unfamiliar trials grounds can also help to reduce pre-trial nerves… and the risk of getting lost before the day’s even started.
Sustenance
Now this is a topic dear to my heart. As my partner will confirm, I am not a fun person when I’m hungry! Therefore, my lunch-game is pretty on point.
Hot drinks can make all the difference when it’s cold out so a Thermos and insulated travel mug are good to have on hand. With that, tea bags, hot chocolate, or coffee and if it’s your preference, some milk and sugar. I find the little sachets from hotels or cafes work great for this.
In the summer, a water bottle is an absolute must! With lots of extra water stored back at your vehicle. Josh and I now also take electrolyte powder. We had a rough experience this past summer on a particularly hot weekend where we both got severely dehydrated despite drinking plenty of water.
A couple of important things to consider. As the day progresses, provided it’s going well, you will have handled a number of soggy, manky birds by lunchtime… It doesn’t matter how much hand-sanitiser or many babywipes you have used, that is a smell and a feeling that is difficult to overcome. Because of this, I now opt for lunches that fit in my Thermos Food Flask so that I don’t have the temptation to eat with my hands. Now, I know that there are many who wouldn’t be bothered by this. I am not one of those people. This does mean I also need to remember cutlery. But, as it happens, my food flask has that covered too. Shareable snacks, like biscuits, are also a crowd favourite – best shared earlier in the day before those grubby hands get too feral.
Comfort Items
Now, these might sound like ‘nice to haves’ but for me they are gear that I wouldn’t go without – and I don’t think I’m just being snobby.
Standing all day is a killer on your back. It’s not always nice enough to just sit out on the grass, so a camping chair or stool can really save the day.
Having my camera means that I can, when I remember, catch lovely moments from the day. It’s a great way to connect with people when you can share a beautiful shot of their dog with them. I also find it helps me when I look back to remember the course or the terrain that my dog either triumphed over, or became victim to.
I would also put spare change in this category because there’s nothing more comforting that supporting a club by purchasing a cuppa or a slice of cake from the catering table.
Just in Case…
We all know that things don’t always go according to plan. That’s why having a basic first aid kit, for you and the dog, is something I never leave the house without. It lives in my truck, so I never have to remember it!
Along those lines, sunscreen, lip balm, hand cream and insect repellent go in the kit too. These are best not stored in the car, so put them together in a place with some of your other kit and you’ll never be without them.
Why I Still Forget Stuff
Even with experience, you still get caught out. I feel like this happens less and less, but we are only human and mistakes happen.
Let’s be real – life gets busy. During the term time, my brain is practically mush by the time Friday night rolls around. Packing for the weekends dog activities in this state is bound to end in forgotten items. I could, and should, start packing for a trial in the week leading up to it – something I definitely intend on doing for our next one. I’ll let you know how that goes!
I think the other issue is that I often have a lot of my gear in my vehicle. The problem lately, and let’s be honest it’s not exactly a problem, is that Josh and I have been travelling together, in his vehicle. So most of my ‘live-in’ items get left behind when I’m in a different truck.
I guess the point is forgetting happens. You learn. You adapt. This is where I’m at now. Finding solutions to the constant battle that is fighting my hopeless memory.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re packing for your first field trial or your fifteenth, a thoughtful packing list goes a long way – and so does cutting yourself a bit of slack when you don’t quite get it right.
I’ve been working on a downloadable Field Trail Gear Checklist to help both you (and me!) stay organised. Click the button below if you’d like a copy for your own training bag. Already subscribed? No need to sign up again — I’ll send your free copy in this week’s email!
What’s the one item you always forget? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
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