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About Us
We have a great group of members who competes nationally and at all levels. We provide training from beginner to champion level, but we are willing to accommodate energetic (and obedience trained) dogs who just need more stimulation. All training is done using positive reinforcement and LOTS of rewards. All energetic dogs welcome! Training is done on Saturday mornings at Paul Roos Gimnasium, but private classes are also available in the week. |
What is agility?
WHAT IS DOG AGILITY? In brief, it’s a sport in which a dog runs through a timed obstacle course as commanded by the handler. Agility training strengthens the bond between dog and handler, and provides fun and exercise for both.
On the agility course, you will see a variety of OBSTACLES:
· Jumps - Most of the jumps are single bar jumps, some with colorful and decorative wings holding up the bars, double-bar spread hurdle(s), and the tire jump. Each type of jump is set at the proper height for each class, determined by the height of the dog at the withers (shoulders). Dogs must clear the full height of the jump without knocking a bar off.
· Tunnels - There are two types of tunnels, open tunnels which are long open tubes; and "chutes", which are open at one end and have a collapsed fabric tube at the other.
· Contact Obstacles - The contact obstacles, so called because of the colour "contact zones" at each end, consist of the A-frame, the dogwalk, and the see-saw. To perform these obstacles correctly, the dog must get at least one paw in each contact zone when they ascend and descend the obstacle. The contact zone rule is for safety considerations.
· Weave Poles - The dog must enter to the right of the first pole and zig-zag through to the end. They must not miss a pole.
There is no difference in training for Dog Jumping and Non-Contact Agility - the rules are a little different but the technique is the same. And Non-Contact Agility is just Agility without the A-frame, dog walk and see-saw - so also no different.
The Competition Runs: The dogs run the course individually, off leash and without collars. The "judge" will tell the handler when he or she may begin, the electronic timer starts when the dog negotiates the first jump, and stops when the dog negotiates the last jump. As each dog runs, the judge indicates the faults, which are noted by the "scribe." On completion of the course, the timekeeper confirms to the scribe the time the dog took to complete the course. The time is entered on the scribe sheet, and then conveyed to the "scorekeeper," who calculates the scores and placements.
On the agility course, you will see a variety of OBSTACLES:
· Jumps - Most of the jumps are single bar jumps, some with colorful and decorative wings holding up the bars, double-bar spread hurdle(s), and the tire jump. Each type of jump is set at the proper height for each class, determined by the height of the dog at the withers (shoulders). Dogs must clear the full height of the jump without knocking a bar off.
· Tunnels - There are two types of tunnels, open tunnels which are long open tubes; and "chutes", which are open at one end and have a collapsed fabric tube at the other.
· Contact Obstacles - The contact obstacles, so called because of the colour "contact zones" at each end, consist of the A-frame, the dogwalk, and the see-saw. To perform these obstacles correctly, the dog must get at least one paw in each contact zone when they ascend and descend the obstacle. The contact zone rule is for safety considerations.
· Weave Poles - The dog must enter to the right of the first pole and zig-zag through to the end. They must not miss a pole.
There is no difference in training for Dog Jumping and Non-Contact Agility - the rules are a little different but the technique is the same. And Non-Contact Agility is just Agility without the A-frame, dog walk and see-saw - so also no different.
The Competition Runs: The dogs run the course individually, off leash and without collars. The "judge" will tell the handler when he or she may begin, the electronic timer starts when the dog negotiates the first jump, and stops when the dog negotiates the last jump. As each dog runs, the judge indicates the faults, which are noted by the "scribe." On completion of the course, the timekeeper confirms to the scribe the time the dog took to complete the course. The time is entered on the scribe sheet, and then conveyed to the "scorekeeper," who calculates the scores and placements.