Dog Race Checklist and Planning Guide

A dog race needs more than a marked course and a starting line. You need to secure the venue, rules, permits, insurance, veterinary support, and registrations before race day. The final week is about checking dog details, assigning starting positions, confirming the forecast, and inspecting the route. On the day itself, allow time for barriers, arches, obstacles, water, timing equipment, forms, and participant briefing before the first heat begins.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Reserve competition venue
Draw up competition rules
2 people
Apply for permits
Arranging a veterinarian
Arrange competition insurance
Send invitations
2 people
Publish registration form
Approach sponsors
2 people
Order prizes and medals
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Check dog details
2 people
Create the starting lineup
2 people
Send participant information
Check the weather forecast
Check the route and grounds
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Check prizes and materials
2 people
Sort bib numbers
2 people
Print competition forms
Fill coolers
2 people
Cordon off the area
4 people
Set out the course
4 people
Set up start and finish arches
3 people
Safely place obstacles
4 people
Set up judges' table
2 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Build the catering point
3 people
Place dog water stations
3 people
Set up a dog rest area
3 people
Test speaker and microphone
2 people
Conduct a safety check
3 people
Brief volunteers
2 people
Lay out bib numbers
2 people

Event

Receive participants
4 people
Register dogs
3 people
Hand out race numbers
2 people
Quickly check the dogs
2 people
Guide the audience to sections
3 people
Give the opening briefing
Lead the warm-up round
3 people
Announce the starting order
Start races
3 people
Record times
2 people
Guide the finish
4 people
Supervise the dog walk
3 people
Check water stations
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Collect waste
2 people
Clean up dog waste
2 people
Support the veterinarian
Announce interim standings
Gather the finalists
2 people
Lead the final
4 people
Check the result
2 people
Present prizes
3 people
Give a thank-you speech
See participants off
3 people

Aftercare

Dismantle competition equipment
4 people
Clear the course
4 people
Dismantle furniture
3 people
Clean up catering
3 people
Wash dishes
2 people
Clean the grounds
4 people
Dispose of waste
2 people
Store materials dry
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Publish results
Thank participants

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Start arch
Finish arch
Agility obstaclesqty 8
Slalom polesqty 12
Marker conesqty 30
Starting gatesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Measuring tape
Winner ribbonsqty 12
Dog water bowlsqty 12
Dog kennelsqty 6
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 8

Equipment

Wireless microphone
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Punch clocksqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Battery lampsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Competition bannersqty 4
Buntingqty 10
Directional signsqty 12
Prize tablecloth
Tableclothsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Cooling matsqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Serving Cupsqty 6
Bread cutting boardsqty 3

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Disinfectantqty 2
Poop scoopsqty 4
Dog poop bagsqty 1000
Trash bagsqty 80
Paper towelsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Catering

Groceries

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Cool packsqty 12
Disposable stretcher
Safety vestsqty 12
Crowd control barriersqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 8
Conesqty 24
Flashlightsqty 6

Administration

Race number vestsqty 120
Bib numbersqty 150
Participant formsqty 150
Jury formsqty 80
Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 30
Waterproof markersqty 12
Printer paperqty 500
Wristbandsqty 200
Prize ribbonsqty 12
Medalsqty 12
Winner's cupsqty 3
Vouchersqty 12
Name stickersqty 200
Table signsqty 12

Tips

Set the administrative deadline at least 4–6 weeks before the race. By then, the venue, permits, insurance, veterinarian, competition rules, registration form, and sponsor arrangements should be confirmed.
Close registrations 7–10 days before race day so you can verify each dog’s details, collect dietary requirements, prepare bib numbers, and create the starting lineup without last-minute changes.
Inspect the route and grounds twice: once during the final week and again on race morning. Check that marker cones, starting gates, slalom poles, and agility obstacles are stable, clearly visible, and safely spaced.
Plan the setup backward from the first start. Allow at least 2–3 hours for cordoning off the area, laying out the course, installing the start and finish arches, positioning equipment, filling coolers, and testing the microphone and timing gear.
Prepare a weather decision point 24 hours before the event. Recheck the course, tents, lighting, dog water bowls, kennels, waste-bag dispensers, and power arrangements, then send participants any final instructions before they travel.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organize a dog race?: Start planning at least 8–12 weeks ahead. Use the first weeks for the venue, rules, permits, insurance, veterinarian, sponsors, and invitations; reserve the final 7–10 days for registrations and race-day preparation.
When should dog race registration close?: Close registration about 7–10 days before the event. This gives you enough time to check dog details, process entries, prepare bib numbers and competition forms, and create the starting lineup.
How long does dog race setup take?: Allow 2–3 hours for race-day setup, and more if the course is large or the equipment arrives unassembled. Include time to cordon off the area, place obstacles, install both arches, test timing and audio equipment, and set out water stations.
What should I check the day before a dog race?: Check the weather forecast, route and grounds, prizes, materials, power supplies, coolers, forms, and participant information 24 hours before the race. Confirm the veterinarian and key helpers again, then make any safety changes before competitors arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.