The wonderful world of agility

Agility has become one of the most popular canine activities in the UK, with thousands of dogs and their owners taking part, and enjoying the fun. The sport is open to people and dogs from all walks of life, whether you’re just looking to have a bit of fun, or you want to progress through the ranks and make your way to the top. But be careful – it’s addictive once you get started!

WHAT IS AGILITY?

Handlers ask their dogs to navigate a course of different obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and ramps, using voice and hand signals. It doesn’t matter whether you own a pedigree or a cross-breed, all dogs should be able to have a go at agility — the obstacles are altered accordingly. There is no age limit for a dog, as it depends more on the fitness and breed. If an older dog has always been exercised, has good muscle tone, and no injuries, he should enjoy agility. If your dog shows any sign of struggling, be ready to stop. It’s best if you wait until your dog is 12 months old and his bones have developed before you start agility training The most straightforward obstacles you will find on an agility course are the hurdles. While all dogs will start by jumping over small fences, the height of the jump will increase depending on the experience, size, and age of the dog. As well as the hurdles, there are other obstacles you may encounter, which fall into two main categories:

NON-CONTACT EQUIPMENT:

Tunnels — Rigid tunnels are relatively easy obstacles for a dog to navigate; he has to make his way from one end to the other.

Weave poles — Upright poles set at an equal distance apart. The dog weaves in and out of them, and must always enter the weave from the right-hand side.

Tyre or hoop — The dog jumps through the centre of the tyre. It can be set at various heights, depending on your dog’s level of training.

Long jump — Tests your dog’s ability to jump a distance, rather than a height. The length increases with a dog’s skill a