Agility advice please...worried about un-secured field?

So,last night at our second agility class Bella escaped from the field out towrds a busyish road (For those that havent read about it see my thread in the general dog chat section!!) She basically got scared by the weave poles and just wanted to go The trainer was great, and suggested we just stayed and watched for a bit, and by the end Bella was fine and joining in
But it was such an awful experience and it has made me concerned about the set up . There is a gate to the field, but with a gap underneath that Bella squeezed under. Having looked more closely round thefield afterwards there are other areas too that she could easily escape.
Now I know it was STUPID to try her off-lead on only he second go, andshe certainly wont be off-lead there again for a VERY long time LOL. BUt I am wondering if I will EVER feel ok about letting her off-lead there There are lots of dogs there all doing the course off-lead fine,and I'm sure with more training and her getting more used to it she could get to that...but anything could happen to scare her ...on Sunday a lurcher darted across the field when a motorbike went past...and if that had been Bella she would have gone straight for the gate and out onto the road...
The trainer is great, other folks lovely,itis only 10 mins drive from home,and it has taken me AGES to find a local club I could get to....but now I dont know what to do?????
Any views please....I'm sad today What sort of setting do you all do agility in?

Hi

I'm so sorry you had such an awful time at your second session.

If I'm honest I too would not feel comfortable with this set up. I would definitely be staying on lead until my dog feels happy about the equipment and the area.

If you don't think you can relax now then I think you are not going to overcome this with Bella as she will sense your worry.

I train in a riding school but although there is a gap they can get out its not near a busy road.

This is my second class I too had to move as the last training class used to run two classes without any separation and a dog attacked Max. And he just couldn't settle as he was constantly worried about a further attack. So I made the decision to move. Luckily we had progressed enough to fit into another group locally too.

I think you need to keep Bella on lead and try and relax - once you feel she is happy with all the equipment and not going to bolt then you may feel ready to take her off lead.

Good luck - agility is fun and I'm sure you and Bella will be back to enjoying it again.

It should be a secure setting. Sorry, but this is an accident waiting to happen esp on a busy rd as many BCs like car chasing etc. Find somewhere else or get a petition going to get owner to fence field properly.

Although Bentley hasn't started agility yet, the set up is in the same place as the puppy/dog classes; Fenced Tennis courts. The dogs are safe off lead and there is no way of getting out unless the door was left open.
Perhaps all the members of the agility class could chip in to purchase some chicken wire or similar which could be used to secure the field and the small area underneath the gate? My mum did this on her farm to stop our puppies getting out when I was younger. I understand why you're worrying, I would feel the same. Sounds like a great group so hopefully they will be willing to do something

Nothing is 100% safe.
As it's an agility field most Dogs will be trained to jump & could scale a fence if they wanted too.
Our club trains in a paddock on a working farm, surrounded by sheep & horses.
Our main criteria is that owners have good control over their Dogs before going off lead...of course there is always the exception, when a Dog gets distracted for instance.
Speak to the instructor if you have concerns.

thanks for the replies. Without a doubt letting her off-lead was the wrong thing to do, and she certainly wont be off-lead again for a very long time whilst there....
But I do just worry that I will never be totally comfortable with her being off-lead there....which would obviously limit what she could do.I think the fact that it is by a busy road makes it worse...if she ran off into a field, whilst that would still be bad, at least there would be less iminent danger before I was able to recall her....
I think I might email the trainer and see what she says....
Does anyone know is there a list or web site where I might be able to find other local agility clubs???

Hi have a look on the following site go to clubs and there is an a-z list think you can search by area from memory. good luck

http://www.agilitynet.co.uk

I did think it was strange when I read your other post about her going near the road that an agility club would train near such a busy road. I wouldn't be happy about training there and my dog will recall if in full flight after bunnies! It seems an accident waiting to happen and you can't really do agility properly on-lead all the time. Most agility clubs meet in riding stables in my limited experience. That would obviously be safer and you aren't going to enjoy the classes or get the best out of your dog if you are stressed about the dangerous location.

I wouldnt train next to a road
Both of mine started in a horse barn. Ben is fine and wouldnt run off so no problems there
In the summer against my better judgment we moved to the park. Ben was great, it was fun and we learnt lots
Mia
errmmm
I tried a few classes there and then moved back to the barn
Thankfully it was in the middle of a big park
Thankfully she had decided that the dogs were friendly in the park

But she was good for a little while then something distracted her and she just went zooming - walking in the park weeks later people came and introduced themselves - as they had already met Mia when she went visiting

This summer we are staying in the barn - but all the time she is getting more focused on her agility - one day it will be more important than things about her

Thanks for the replies. I have loacted another club not too faraway and might call them and enquire about their training field.
Bella can have great recall...BUT she is rescue dog, was in the pound with her 5 litter mates as a week old pupp, then rehomed by someone forthe first 6 months of her life by someone who basically left alone for 8 hours aday and did nothing to socialise or train her.
When we got her she was totally untrained. She has come such a long way...BUT she can still be quite anervous dog,and can react in unpredictable ways (though never aggressive) when scared.
Having said that I did explain all this to the trainer when I rang her up and she said that shouldn't be a problem.
She is so bright,and full of energy I know she will love agility,and it is good for her to get used to new situations....
BUT I need to know she's going to be safe.....and I do worry that even when better trained and more focused on the equipment there will always be that chance that something could just scare her and make her take off....
Will see what the other club say....thanks