What is agility?
- It is a companion canine sport with a timed obstacle course for a team of dog and handler.
- A course normally has 12-18 obstacles like tunnels, jumps, tires, weave polls, a-frame, teeter and dog walk.
- There are typically two different courses designed—jumpers and standard (includes contact obstacles such as the A-frame where their front feet have to make contact in specific spaces to discourage jumping off the obstacle at a dangerous height).
- A trial is when the dog runs the course off-leash and the handler can’t touch the dog. The human half of the team relies on body language and vocal cues to tell the canine half where to go.
- All breeds, including mixed breeds, can participate in agility—from the smallest to the largest dogs. Spayed or neutered dogs are eligible to compete too. It is also open to all people—ages, ability, fitness.
Why Agility?
- Stimulates your dog’s mind, body and spirit. Dogs were bred to WORK. They need a challenge and agility is a way to focus it. Agility is a combination of physical exercise and mental stimulation and it’s rewarding.
- It will make you a better dog owner or trainer overall. You will be more in tune with your dog and learn great training tips.
- You will become better at all aspects of training and communicating with your dog. It teaches your dog that listening to you is fun and worthwhile.
- It teaches you to use body language to communicate clearly and effectively and improves off-leash reliability.
- Builds a strong bond between you and your dog, solves some behavioral problems and is a lot of fun.
Origins
Agility first appeared in England in 1978, as essentially a half time show at Crufts. The creators based the demonstration on horse jumping competitions, intending to show off the dogs’ natural speed and agility. Dog owners and trainers looking for something new to do with their pets pricked up their ears and said, “Hey, MY dog could do that.” Thus, the sport was born.
Make sure the sport of agility is right for you and your dog
- Health
- Activity level
- Safety
- Temperament—energetic, positive, responds to instruction
Getting Started
- Take a class
- Practice at home (floor work is essential!)
- Starting equipment—collar, shoes, treats. Agility does not need to be costly, you can grow into the sport. There are options for access to equipment.
- Get involved—Attend a run-through or trial, talk to experienced handlers, educate through seminars, videos, blogs
For more information about how to get started in the sport of dog agility in the Green Bay area send an email to [email protected].
What is agility?
- It is a companion canine sport with a timed obstacle course for a team of dog and handler.
- A course normally has 12-18 obstacles like tunnels, jumps, tires, weave polls, a-frame, teeter and dog walk.
- There are typically two different courses designed—jumpers and standard (includes contact obstacles such as the A-frame where their front feet have to make contact in specific spaces to discourage jumping off the obstacle at a dangerous height).
- A trial is when the dog runs the course off-leash and the handler can’t touch the dog. The human half of the team relies on body language and vocal cues to tell the canine half where to go.
- All breeds, including mixed breeds, can participate in agility—from the smallest to the largest dogs. Spayed or neutered dogs are eligible to compete too. It is also open to all people—ages, ability, fitness.
Why Agility?
- Stimulates your dog’s mind, body and spirit. Dogs were bred to WORK. They need a challenge and agility is a way to focus it. Agility is a combination of physical exercise and mental stimulation and it’s rewarding.
- It will make you a better dog owner or trainer overall. You will be more in tune with your dog and learn great training tips.
- You will become better at all aspects of training and communicating with your dog. It teaches your dog that listening to you is fun and worthwhile.
- It teaches you to use body language to communicate clearly and effectively and improves off-leash reliability.
- Builds a strong bond between you and your dog, solves some behavioral problems and is a lot of fun.
Origins
Agility first appeared in England in 1978, as essentially a half time show at Crufts. The creators based the demonstration on horse jumping competitions, intending to show off the dogs’ natural speed and agility. Dog owners and trainers looking for something new to do with their pets pricked up their ears and said, “Hey, MY dog could do that.” Thus, the sport was born.
Make sure the sport of agility is right for you and your dog
- Health
- Activity level
- Safety
- Temperament—energetic, positive, responds to instruction
Getting Started
- Take a class
- Practice at home (floor work is essential!)
- Starting equipment—collar, shoes, treats. Agility does not need to be costly, you can grow into the sport. There are options for access to equipment.
- Get involved—Attend a run-through or trial, talk to experienced handlers, educate through seminars, videos, blogs
For more information about how to get started in the sport of dog agility in the Green Bay area send an email to [email protected].