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-> Agility Club -> What is All This Excitement About Agility? Agility is a Sport for Everyone! Agility is a sport that has wowed audiences since its inception in 1978 at the Crufts Dog Show in England. Within a few years, Agility was being played all over the world. Agility came "across the pond " in 1986 and after it experienced some growing and changes in 1993, the North American Dog Agility Council was founded.
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Agility is an adventure, a challenge, builds a bond of trust and respect (team work) between dogs and handlers and most of all it's FUN!
The repetition of obedience training can become very boring for both dog and handler. However, you do need a good foundation in this before you can get into Agility. Agility helps the shy dog as well as the Hyper & Assertive dog! But then you wonder, " What other things can we do?" Well, there is no end to the challenges and fun of Agility. It helps keep the obedience skills up and running! There is always something new and exciting in this sport that demands intelligence - "A dog's mind is a terrible thing to waste". It needs team work too ... that's you and your dog working together) Agility is not just for purebreds, nor is Agility an exclusive for the able-bodied (canine, and non-canine). We have special skills for teaching the handicapped dog or handler. Being a handicapped dog (deaf, etc) doesn't mean that dog is unhealthy. (One of my dogs is a deaf dog for example, and she has been in competition for 2 years.) And we have people who are just couch potatoes, or in wheelchairs, have MS or Arthritis, and many other life altering illnesses who receive a great many benefits from participating in this sport. We also have junior handlers and seniors. So every age group is eligible (human & canine as well.) We teach at a competition level but you can be as competitive or non-competitive as you like.
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Well, it is like a "Carnival for dogs" or "Dog Obstacle course". It's more than just jumps though. You will learn to direct your dog over hurdles, through tunnels, over climbing obstacles, through weave poles, and over a variety of contact obstacles, and a lot more. As the dog and handler progress through the levels of Agility, the courses become more complex and it takes more "finesse" than a simple obstacle course. "Ahhh, the challenge!" If you are thinking, "Oh, I will never keep up!" No problem!! The dog learns to go at the pace of the handler; as you both gain confidence and your dog learns to watch and listen for your commands, your speed will increase. First you want to learn to be accurate. Speed will come later. Like fine wine, it takes time to develop! As you both improve with time and practice, you will develop into a good working team.
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This is a big issue with some dogs and their owners. Agility helps the Shy dogs as well as the Hyper & Assertive dogs! You might think you're too busy to get involved. But.... one hour, once a week, and you will be amazed at what YOU will learn and how much fun the two of you will have! There's also the benefit that your dog is more responsive to you because you're now spending this quality time together. Peni says, "I personally find Agility and dogs help keep everything in perspective." Now come on out and have some fun with your furry best friend. Invite your non-furry best friend and your family to come and watch.
We offer beginner classes at various times throughout the year; each class consists of one hour sessions, once a week, for 4 weeks. In order to participate in Agility at any level, dogs must have mastered Basic Obedience. (Since dogs will soon be working off-leash in a very distraction-filled environment, they must be well socialized and return to their handler when called.) To ensure your dog's socialization and obedience skills, we will meet with you and your dog prior to beginning a class, to evaluate your dog and his behaviour and nature. This ensures a safe, fun filled class for all.
To sign up FETCH IT, or call (250) 652-5027.
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