Inigo - Picture thanks to Penny's Pastime Pics
Agility in a Nutshell
About the Sport
One of the most popular dog sports, in agility your dog gets to do what he or she does best - run, jump, climb, and play! Sometimes called "Obedience in Motion", in agility a handler directs their dog through an obstacle course composed of tunnels, jumps, contact obstacles, and weave poles. In an effort to beat the clock, teams strive to perform under a "standard course time" and without causing any "faults" (which include things such as knocking down jump bars, going around or missing an obstacle, refusing an obstacle, failing to touch a "contact zone" of an obstacle, or going over the "standard course time").
The rules for competition in the various sanctioned organizations vary slightly, as well as the types of different games offered. Typically the "Novice" level has more lenient rules, with fewer obstacles and longer course times; with difficulty increasing as dogs progress through the levels of competition.
Agility training involves teaching team members on both ends of the leash. The dog should be taught proper and safe obstacle performance of all agility obstacles, while the handler needs to learn how to teach their dog the obstacles, rules of various sanctioning organizations (if they plan on competing), as well as various handling skills (when and how to use both verbal and physical cues to direct the dog around the course).
History of the Sport
Agility began in the United Kingdom in 1978. It was originally intended as a demonstration to entertain the audience at the annual Crufts Dog Show. Although some accredit the begining of the sport to a demonstration done by the Royal Air Force Police Dog Demonstration Team, it was the Crufts demonstration that caught the eye of the public.
By 1979 several local training clubs began offering the sport to dog owners, and by 1980 Britain's Kennel Club had established rules for competition.
During the 1980's, Agility began gaining popularity in the United States. By the early 1990's, several organizations began to form, created rules, and began holding competitions.
Obstacles Seen in Agility
Sanctioning Organizations
How to get Started
Dogs should be at least 8-10 months before beginning agility training; and even then, jumping should be kept to a minimum until growth plates have closed (this depends not only on the breed, but the individual dog). If you are considering doing Agility with your dog, I strongly suggest talking to your vet and getting an approval to begin training. Before enrolling in an agility class, it is important that both the dog and handler are able to work in a very distracting environment, and have mastered basic pet manners as well as a bit of basic obedience. Helpful behaviors to know include: sit, down, stay, coming when called. and basic leash manners.
Basic Supplies Needed
Equipment is typically in class only - there are a lot of skills that can be taught and worked on at home without using obstacles. Homemade obstacles can be constructed inexpensively, but aren't necessary.
Equipment needed for classes typically includes:
Books
Other Resources
Local Clubs
- What it is: Dogs and their handlers negotiate obstacles on a preset course in a race against the clock
- Prior Training: Basic Obedience, as well as the dog being able to focus, learn and perform complex behaviors in a very distracting environment.
- Physical Demands on Dog: High
- Physical Demands on Handler: High
- Most suitable breeds: Herding breeds, various mixed breeds. This is a very physically strenuous sport. Dogs should be very fit and carrying no extra weight.
- Best Temperament: Happy-go-lucky, workaholics; dogs should be physically fit and active, and should be ready to play and train.
- Training Complexity: High
- Mental Stimulation: High
- Physical Stimulation: High
- Recreational Opportunities: Good - there are many "recreational" agility classes available.
- Opportunities to Compete: High - there are many venues - both indoor and outdoor - and many opportunities for handler/dog teams to compete.
- Cost: High
About the Sport
One of the most popular dog sports, in agility your dog gets to do what he or she does best - run, jump, climb, and play! Sometimes called "Obedience in Motion", in agility a handler directs their dog through an obstacle course composed of tunnels, jumps, contact obstacles, and weave poles. In an effort to beat the clock, teams strive to perform under a "standard course time" and without causing any "faults" (which include things such as knocking down jump bars, going around or missing an obstacle, refusing an obstacle, failing to touch a "contact zone" of an obstacle, or going over the "standard course time").
The rules for competition in the various sanctioned organizations vary slightly, as well as the types of different games offered. Typically the "Novice" level has more lenient rules, with fewer obstacles and longer course times; with difficulty increasing as dogs progress through the levels of competition.
Agility training involves teaching team members on both ends of the leash. The dog should be taught proper and safe obstacle performance of all agility obstacles, while the handler needs to learn how to teach their dog the obstacles, rules of various sanctioning organizations (if they plan on competing), as well as various handling skills (when and how to use both verbal and physical cues to direct the dog around the course).
History of the Sport
Agility began in the United Kingdom in 1978. It was originally intended as a demonstration to entertain the audience at the annual Crufts Dog Show. Although some accredit the begining of the sport to a demonstration done by the Royal Air Force Police Dog Demonstration Team, it was the Crufts demonstration that caught the eye of the public.
By 1979 several local training clubs began offering the sport to dog owners, and by 1980 Britain's Kennel Club had established rules for competition.
During the 1980's, Agility began gaining popularity in the United States. By the early 1990's, several organizations began to form, created rules, and began holding competitions.
Obstacles Seen in Agility
- A-Frame
- Dogwalk
- Teeter-Totter
- Pause Table
- Bar Jumps (single, double, triple, winged, non-winged)
- Tire Jump
- Broad Jump
- Pipe (Open) Tunnel
- Chute (Closed) Tunnel
- Weave Poles
Sanctioning Organizations
- The American Kennel Club (AKC)
- The Australian Shepherd Club of American (ASCA)
- Canine Performance Events (CPE)
- Dogs on Course in North American (DOCNA)
- North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC)
- Teacup Agility (TDAA)
- United Kennel Club (UKC)
- United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA)
How to get Started
Dogs should be at least 8-10 months before beginning agility training; and even then, jumping should be kept to a minimum until growth plates have closed (this depends not only on the breed, but the individual dog). If you are considering doing Agility with your dog, I strongly suggest talking to your vet and getting an approval to begin training. Before enrolling in an agility class, it is important that both the dog and handler are able to work in a very distracting environment, and have mastered basic pet manners as well as a bit of basic obedience. Helpful behaviors to know include: sit, down, stay, coming when called. and basic leash manners.
Basic Supplies Needed
Equipment is typically in class only - there are a lot of skills that can be taught and worked on at home without using obstacles. Homemade obstacles can be constructed inexpensively, but aren't necessary.
Equipment needed for classes typically includes:
- Flat or buckle collar
- 4-6 foot nylon or leather leash
- Treats or toys to reward the dog
Books
- Agility Right From The Start by Emelie Johnson Vegh and Eva Bertilsson
- Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt
- Shaping Success by Susan Garrett
- Do It Yourself Agility Equipment by Jim Hutchins
Other Resources
- Affordable Agility Equipment - Agility Equipment
- Agility Nerd - Agility Blog
- Clean Run LLC - One of the most comprehensive resources, they have a magazine, training articles, courses, books, videos, toys, treats, and some equipment.
- J and J Dog Supplies - Equipment
- M.A.D. Agility - Equipment
- Max 200 - Equipment
Local Clubs
RSS Feed