What is Agility
The Basics
Dog agility is a sport where you direct your dog through a pre-set obstacle course within a certain time limit. Courses typically have between 14-20 obstacles, which can include tunnels, weave poles, tire jumps, teeters (seesaws), and contact equipment such as the A-frame or the dog walk. Dogs run off leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles. All breeds, including mixed breeds, can participate in agility.
Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country—and for good reason. It’s incredible exercise for both you and your dog, and it forges an even deeper relationship between you. Plus, it’s exhilarating to watch as your dog nimbly and quickly crawls through tunnels, weaves around poles, and leaps through tires!
If you’ve never seen agility in person, attending a competition (or “trial”) is highly recommended. Whether you just want to have fun exercising with your dog, or want to go further and enter an agility competition, get ready for a fast-paced, rewarding experience that will get you and your dog in the best shape of your lives.
Learn the Sport
As with any sport, we recommend you start by taking a class at a training facility near you. Beginner courses introduce you and your dog to obstacles, and provide the basics of how to compete should you decide to go that route. Most classes meet once a week for an hour or so.
Practice
Just because you’ve signed up for a class, don’t think the learning stops there. Practicing at home is just as important! To do so, you’ll want to set up your own obstacles. First-timers often start out with tunnels, which can be collapsed when not in use, and tunnel holders to keep them in place. Weave poles—or a few evenly spaced upright poles that your dog can run through—are another popular at-home obstacle.
Compete!!
Agility can be so thrilling that you might find yourself wanting to go to the next level and actually competing.
A great place to start is to find a "Fun Match". A fun match is targetted at introducing newcomers to how a real trial is run. There are no records kept, and while some clubs may offer ribbons to acknowledge achievments, there is no pressure beyond enjoying the day and having fun with your dog.
With a couple of fun matches under your belt you may want to enter an actual competition.
Find an Agility event near you. To be eligible to compete in Agility, your dog must be: 15 months of age or older. Registered with the AACSpayed or neutered dogs are eligible to compete. In sound health and up-to-date on vaccinations. Read the regulations for Agility trials here.