Agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy.
Courses are complicated enough that a dog could not complete them correctly without human direction. In competition, the handler must assess the course, decide on handling strategies, and direct the dog through the course, with precision and speed equally important. Many strategies exist to compensate for the inherent difference in human and dog speeds and the strengths and weaknesses of the various dogs and handlers.
The regulations of different organizations specify somewhat different rules and dimensions for the construction of obstacles. However, the basic form of most obstacles is the same wherever they are used. Obstacles include the following:
- A-frame
- Dogwalk
- Teeter Totter
- Tunnel
- Jumps
- Table
- Weave Poles
Dogs can begin training for agility when young or old; however, care is taken when training dogs under a year old so as to not harm their developing joints. Dogs generally start training on simplified, smaller, or lowered (in height) agility equipment. However, even quickly learning puppies must be finished growing before training on equipment at standard height to prevent injury.
Many of our club members participate in agility. It is a fun event for both dogs and owners to participate in.
