Author: Brenda Juskow | Fetch Inc.

Agility – Partnership between Handler and Dog

The purpose of Agility trials is to demonstrate a dog’s willingness to work with its handler under a variety of conditions, through a course made up of jumps and obstacles. Agility provides all handlers and dogs the opportunity to participate and experience success.

In order to play the game of Agility a good working relationship between you and your dog is essential. Most facilities that offer classes do require at least basic obedience classes as a requirement. One other important component is a healthy dog, this is a very physical sport so you need to ensure your dog and yourself remain in good shape. The dog must jump at a height determined by the dog’s height at the withers.

Levels of Competition:

Specials or Selected -  a class where you can jump your dog a height lower than required

Veteran - for dogs over the age of 7 they are able to jump lower and are given slightly more time to complete the course.

The Agility Course:

An agility course consists of a sequence of obstacles which must be taken in the prescribed order and in the direction indicated by the judge. The aim of the game is to take every single obstacle without fault and complete the courses under the time set by the judge who designed the course.  Obstacles that may be found on the course are single jumps, double and spread jumps, tire, tunnel, chute, broadjump, panel jump, a-frame, teeter totter, dogwalk and weave poles.

One clean round and under time will earn you a Q (qualifying score). Three Q’s achieved under 2 different judges will earn you a title and move you up to the next level of competition. As you move from one level to the next (Novice to

Intermediate to Excellent) the courses are tougher and the times get shorter leaving there less leeway for errors.

As a handler you are given a few minutes prior to running the course to walk the course and plan you handling strategies to hopefully negotiate the course with your dog successfully.

Agility as a Sport - A Family Affair:

Agility is a great sport for you and your dog to help stay active and for all ages (of dogs and people), there is even a Junior handling class in most organizations.

Further information:

Some of the organizations offered in Canada are CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) , AAC (Agility Association of Canada) and CPE (Canine Performance Events).

Local to HRM residents

Fetch Inc.