Agility - What is it?

Beth

Published on 21-07-10 12:31 AM

6 Comments

Agility is a fun international sport for you and your dog to take part in.

Dogs jump hurdles and through hoops, run through tunnels, run up and down seasaws and ramps, and negotiate other obstacles.

Any healthy dog can enjoy and compete in agility - from purebred to mixed breeds, large dogs to small, young dogs to middle aged!

The object of agility is for the handler or owner to direct their dog through an obstacle course which is timed, without the dog or owner making a mistake.

Agility is a great way to expend energy. Dogs learn that they can have fun racing around and jumping over things, but still be under control. The learning involved can also tire dogs mentally so it can keep body and mind exercised. It can also help build the bond with the owner from the practice sessions and training, and help owner and dog to develop clear communication between them while going round the courses.

Dogs should be fully grown before attempting to jump any of the obstacles. A check-up with the vet is also a good idea before trying any new exercise to make sure the dog is physically sound and able for this type of exercise.

This is not a sport for puppies. You can introduce them to the equipment, walk them over bars lying on the ground, and let them explore tunnels if you would like to get them started before they are fully grown, but there should be no impact to the bones from jumping until the puppy is physically mature. Concentrate on introducing them to new places, sights and sounds as well as socialising them around other dogs to learn the appropriate behaviour, so that when you are off competing in events when they are older, the dog will not be too concerned about new places or situations. Training classes can be found all across Ireland (and the world), and any good trainer will not allow any puppy to try jumping the obstacles until they are old enough.

Agility is for all dog owners also. It doesn't matter if the owner is young or old, quick or slow, or in between - agility is a sport for everyone. Whether spectating or taking part, its a fun sport which gives a huge amount of enjoyment!

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6 Comments

tanshields - 21-07-10

What or where do you find the competitions that are coming up. Do I need to join the agility club?

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Beth - 21-07-10

There is an association that runs them - Irish Agility & Dog Sports Association (on facebook)

You can also find them on the Working Trials Club of Ireland.

The IKC affiliated ones are printed in a book at the start of the year - but this is by no means a full list of agility competitions out there. Some dates can be wrong and some shows can be missing from the list. The IKC issue a "green book" which is kind of a bible to all of us attending shows as it lists the shows and the proposed dates for them, all in one easy little book. The Agility, and the Working Trials, along with Obedience competitions are also listed in them and are often run side-by-side with Conformation shows. If you ring the IKC and ask them to send it out, you should have it in a few days.

I dont know if you need to join the club for it, but its probably wise to join an agility class or club for training and practice so the dog and owner is prepared for when they go on to compete. Those classes should also have extra information for what you need.

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smsod - 21-07-10

Hi guys check out
Www.wtci.ie. they will be back in September
and on the calendar pages they have a list of show when and where they are on. There is load of clubs around doing it.
you def would need to jion a class or club.

in dublin check out http://www.dublindogtraining.com/
John ward runs it and is great, and if your not from dublin he could piont in the right place to go.

As by Beth say it is great for the dogs, you can do just for fun, beware it is addict and you will soon find your slef up early on the weekends going of to show,
But most of all it is great fun,
And you do not need to have a collie to do it.
Check out my litte guy,

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Beth - 21-07-10

Ah he's fab! I remember watching him go up over the A Frame in November. I couldnt believe he managed to get up and down in that mud and being a small dog. He was fab! Think there's a pic of him on it somewhere on the forum.

Thanks for the info smsod! It will come in very handy for others looking to try agility.

ETA: Here he is

Up and over

Wheeeeeeee

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smsod - 21-07-10

there fad phots. love the last one!!
murph miss his touch piont.
he is to have on paw on the red, and as we can see he fly off it,
there are grear photos,
yea that day it was so muddy, I had to wash his paws before one of are runs as there was so much mud on him...

All I can say it a great sport and great way to bond wiht whit your dog.

if you do not minde here a link to
Kildare TV an online based group filmed some footage a WTCI weekend show at Athy
it will give people an idea what the sport is about.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/...d=102182159001

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Beth - 21-07-10

It looked like fantastic fun out there with Murph - even with all the mud

Fab video of the fun in Athy. Thanks for the link!
Hopefully it will encourage more to take up the sport and have a lot of fun

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