By BETH BRADLEY
The first widely-documented appearance of dog Agility was as entertainment at the Crufts
Dog Show (England) in 1978. The demonstration immediately intrigued dog owners
because of its speed, challenge and the dexterity displayed by the dogs. People wanted
to see more, and indeed wanted their own dogs to be able to participate. The
demonstration was so popular that it went on to grow into local, then national, and
eventually international, competitions with standardized equipment.
In 1986, Kenneth Tatsch founded the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). The
event’s popularity sparked interest around the country. One year later, Charles (Bud)
Kramer founded the National Club for Dog Agility (NCDA) in Kansas with the goal of
convincing the AKC to recognize Agility as a sanctioned event.
The first AKC Show to include a sanctioned Agility match was held in August 1987 at the
St. Croix Valley Kennel Club Show in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Recognition by the AKC
made the rapidly growing sport nearly explode in the United States.
Confidence Building
Agility training will provide the environment and structure to build confidence in your dog.
It is amazing to see a timid or insecure dog begin Agility. They may enter class with their
hackles raised or hiding behind their owner’s legs, but after a few sessions, they come
to class excited and happy. I’ve seen dogs that can be aggressive because of fears of
other dogs or people become excited when they meet their new dog friends or new
human friends.
With each week that passes, these dogs become more outgoing and friendly. A timid
dog may take a long time before he is ready to venture from under your chair or off your
lap but when he does, lookout!
Dogs gain confidence in their abilities as they learn to climb, jump, or crawl through
agility obstacles. The learning may be tough for the dog afraid of heights or reluctant to
enter dark spaces, but determined owners can coax them through the uncertainty.
Structured Fun
Teaching a dog the basic execution of most obstacles takes only a small amount of time
and simple training techniques. However, to complete certain agility courses and to
develop speed and accuracy, both dog and handler must learn a wide range of methods
for navigating the equipment, performing sequences of obstacles, and communicating
on course while running full out.
Until you begin Agility, you don’t realize how much control you need when directing your
dog through a course. As no two Agility courses are identical, your dog will have to
disregard his own urges and follow your lead. The need for continuous and intense
communication between dog and handler naturally intensifies the bond between the two.
Sometimes obedience be-comes stale and boring for our dogs. I’ve advised many
clients who have been working towards an obedience title to start Agility training. Not
because I want to sell another class but because of the obedience control they will gain
from the Agility class. The dog must be in perfect sync with the handler on the Agility
course because is no leash and collar for control. Since the order of obstacles on each
course is different and the pathway between the obstacles is never a straight line, dogs
must learn a whole new vocabulary thereby working the dog’s mind and releasing him
from the boredom of heel, sit, down.
Precautions
Naturally, there are precautions. Young dogs should not jump; landing on immature
forelegs and shoulders can cause injuries. Dogs must be taught not to rush the
obstacles, as they can injure themselves by falling from the A-frame or the dog walk if
they throw caution to the winds. The climbing obstacles on an Agility course have yellow
contact areas painted across the bottom; dogs must touch these contact areas on the
way up and down the ramps. Ramps also have cross-laths to provide traction as the
dogs scramble up the incline.
Almost any dog can do Agility. Giant breeds and those with a wide wheelbase may have
trouble with some obstacles, but if the dog is game, it can be done. And, there are events
and competitions for mixed breeds as well as pure breeds.
Conclusion
Agility is fun for both owner and dogs. Dogs enjoy the freedom, speed and most of all the
challenge. Owners enjoy the increased bond with the dog as they work out the
challenges inherent in mastery of each obstacle. Both you and your dog will learn so
much about each other by being involved in Agility. You will know how to motivate your
dog so when you get into a funk while training, you can work your dog through it and
achieve results you desire.
Beth Bradley began studying animal behavior and dog training at 12 years of age. She
became a New Jersey State Animal Control Officer in 1986 and graduated from
Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She can
be contacted via www.dog-trainer.biz or call (973) 742-5088.
The first widely-documented appearance of dog Agility was as entertainment at the Crufts
Dog Show (England) in 1978. The demonstration immediately intrigued dog owners
because of its speed, challenge and the dexterity displayed by the dogs. People wanted
to see more, and indeed wanted their own dogs to be able to participate. The
demonstration was so popular that it went on to grow into local, then national, and
eventually international, competitions with standardized equipment.
In 1986, Kenneth Tatsch founded the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). The
event’s popularity sparked interest around the country. One year later, Charles (Bud)
Kramer founded the National Club for Dog Agility (NCDA) in Kansas with the goal of
convincing the AKC to recognize Agility as a sanctioned event.
The first AKC Show to include a sanctioned Agility match was held in August 1987 at the
St. Croix Valley Kennel Club Show in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Recognition by the AKC
made the rapidly growing sport nearly explode in the United States.
Confidence Building
Agility training will provide the environment and structure to build confidence in your dog.
It is amazing to see a timid or insecure dog begin Agility. They may enter class with their
hackles raised or hiding behind their owner’s legs, but after a few sessions, they come
to class excited and happy. I’ve seen dogs that can be aggressive because of fears of
other dogs or people become excited when they meet their new dog friends or new
human friends.
With each week that passes, these dogs become more outgoing and friendly. A timid
dog may take a long time before he is ready to venture from under your chair or off your
lap but when he does, lookout!
Dogs gain confidence in their abilities as they learn to climb, jump, or crawl through
agility obstacles. The learning may be tough for the dog afraid of heights or reluctant to
enter dark spaces, but determined owners can coax them through the uncertainty.
Structured Fun
Teaching a dog the basic execution of most obstacles takes only a small amount of time
and simple training techniques. However, to complete certain agility courses and to
develop speed and accuracy, both dog and handler must learn a wide range of methods
for navigating the equipment, performing sequences of obstacles, and communicating
on course while running full out.
Until you begin Agility, you don’t realize how much control you need when directing your
dog through a course. As no two Agility courses are identical, your dog will have to
disregard his own urges and follow your lead. The need for continuous and intense
communication between dog and handler naturally intensifies the bond between the two.
Sometimes obedience be-comes stale and boring for our dogs. I’ve advised many
clients who have been working towards an obedience title to start Agility training. Not
because I want to sell another class but because of the obedience control they will gain
from the Agility class. The dog must be in perfect sync with the handler on the Agility
course because is no leash and collar for control. Since the order of obstacles on each
course is different and the pathway between the obstacles is never a straight line, dogs
must learn a whole new vocabulary thereby working the dog’s mind and releasing him
from the boredom of heel, sit, down.
Precautions
Naturally, there are precautions. Young dogs should not jump; landing on immature
forelegs and shoulders can cause injuries. Dogs must be taught not to rush the
obstacles, as they can injure themselves by falling from the A-frame or the dog walk if
they throw caution to the winds. The climbing obstacles on an Agility course have yellow
contact areas painted across the bottom; dogs must touch these contact areas on the
way up and down the ramps. Ramps also have cross-laths to provide traction as the
dogs scramble up the incline.
Almost any dog can do Agility. Giant breeds and those with a wide wheelbase may have
trouble with some obstacles, but if the dog is game, it can be done. And, there are events
and competitions for mixed breeds as well as pure breeds.
Conclusion
Agility is fun for both owner and dogs. Dogs enjoy the freedom, speed and most of all the
challenge. Owners enjoy the increased bond with the dog as they work out the
challenges inherent in mastery of each obstacle. Both you and your dog will learn so
much about each other by being involved in Agility. You will know how to motivate your
dog so when you get into a funk while training, you can work your dog through it and
achieve results you desire.
Beth Bradley began studying animal behavior and dog training at 12 years of age. She
became a New Jersey State Animal Control Officer in 1986 and graduated from
Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She can
be contacted via www.dog-trainer.biz or call (973) 742-5088.
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