Interested in getting started in agility?
We can help!
I started agility training in June 2005 and competing in December 2005 in USDAA and April 2006 in AKC. Agility is definitely my absolute favorite thing to do in the entire World!
My Mum got me started because I was kind of a manic, energetic, busy-as-a-bee kind of pup, and I was getting into a lot of trouble. I needed a job. So when someone mentioned that I may be good at agility, Mum signed me up for a class.
It was the best decision she ever made and it changed both of our lives for the better. Now I am a dog on a mission, and when someone says agility, I am ready for action.
Agility is a wonderful activity for you and your dog. The bond created when you work as a team is immeasurable, and wonderful. and you both get exercise!
Visit my Dog Agility lens!
Once you get started, be sure and visit my Dog Agility lens for all kinds of training tips, competition information, trial details, titles, course maps, videos and loads more!
What is dog agility?
What is dog agility? It's a great sport that involves you and your dog working together, as a team, toward a common goal. It's entertaining to watch, and it's an addicting sport for the participant.Dog agility is one of the fastest growing dog sports in the World. From its early beginnings in England, dog agility was created from the idea of horse show jumping and made it's debut as a demonstration in the UK at Crufts Dog Show in 1978.
How does it work? You, as the handler, direct your dog through an obstacle course of tunnels, jumps, dog walks, a-frames, weave poles, chutes and teeter totters, in a race for time and accuracy.
You aren't allowed to touch your dog, or the obstacle, your dog runs off-leash, and you use your body movement and your voice to direct your dog through the dog agility course.
It's a sport of strategy, athleticism, strength, and speed for both you and your dog. It's invigorating, rewarding, fun, entertaining and an amazing sport to watch and participate in, whether you are a beginner or an expert.
Visit this great page for a very thorough and complete explanation of dog agility on Wikipedia!
And check out this page on the History of Agility!
Thanks Horace for great pic!
A great overview of agility!
Getting started!
Mom took me to an obedience class, where I began by failing miserably. But I got better, and achieved Most Improved! Someone in the class told us about agility, so Mom went right home and searched on the Internet for resources.
There is a lot of info already on the Internet. So we're not going to attempt to start over! But we will definitely give credit where credit is due. Thanks to those who have put together such useful info.
Here are some great links to get you started:
- Intro to Dog Agility
- This Introduction to Dog Agility is from DogPatch, one of the most comprehensive resources on dog agility on the Internet.
- What are all those obstacles?
- Want to know more about the obstacles and the courses? Here is a great resource that shows a sample course and explains what all those dog gone obstacles are! Thanks Good Dog Agility Club!
- What to bring to an agility trial - thanks Good Dog Agility Club!
- Another great page that talks about what you should bring to an agility trial. Yep, we need lots of stuff!
- Finding an agility trainer.
- The USDAA website has a list of dog agility groups, you can search by region.
- AKC Agility RuleBook
- All the rules for agility with the AKC.
- USDAA Rule Book
- Online version of the USDAA rules.
- USDAA Dog Registration!
- How to register your dog with the USDAA. Approximately $20.00.
- AKC dog measurement guidelines
- All the info you need about getting your dog measured for AKC agility events.
Great books for beginners!
Questions and Answers on Dog Agility Training
Need some agility pointers? Questions and Answers on Dog Agility Training can help. Mary Ann Nester, an expert agility trainer, has compiled 140 answers to common problems, unexpected issues, and wild goof-ups that plague every agility competitor.
Having Fun with Agility
Designed expressly for dog owners who want the interactive thrill of agility sports without the rigid rules, pressures, and expenses of competition, Having Fun with Agility is a practical, down-to-earth guide to today's most popular canine sport.
From the Ground Up
From the Ground Up will help you build a working relationship with your dog that will carry you through the joys and challenges of competing in agility.
Excelling at Dog Agility Book 1
Part of a three-volume set entitled Excelling at Dog Agility, the updated 2nd edition of this popular book, Obstacle Training, provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for training your dog to master each agility obstacle with safety, fun.
Competing in Agility
Are you and your dog ready to start competing in agility, but not sure where to begin? Or, maybe you've already entered a few trials but find all the rules confusing.
Beginners Guide to Dog Agility
Learning to train for agility has never been easier with The Beginner's Guide to Dog Agility, a step-by-step introduction to the sport.
Looking for more info, here are some great resources to help?
Find great stuff to have fun with your dog!
Be sure and visit my website - JohannTheDog.com!We've put together, in one place, all the cool stuff you need for your cool dog, and to get out there and have fun!
Find dog beds, all natural foods and treats, collars, leashes, charms, training and dog sport gear, vitamins and supplements, books, clothing, toys and more!
And the best part is that we donate 10% of our profits to dog rescues and shelter!
Build your own equipment! Thanks Jim!
Do it Yourself Agility EquipmentThe ultimate equipment reference for the agility enthusiast. You will find 27 detailed construction plans for making everything from a welded aluminum A-frame to contact training hoops. Each plan includes a list of materials and tools needed as well as numerous illustrations to help simplify the construction of each obstacle. Contains suggestions on when and why it may be better to buy something than to build it and provides the first printed Resource Guide of agility equipment and materials vendors. Also current equipment specifications for the major agility organizations as well as tips on how to build obstacles so that they meet the criteria for more than one organization.
Cool agility gear for your two-legger!
You need equipment!
- All kinds of agility training and gear.
- This is one of the best (other than my site JohannTheDog.com of course) sites for anything you need for agility - from training gear and clothing, to travel and first aid necessities, and of course toys, treats, books, DVDs, and much, much more! Check it out -- all of us dog agility enthusiasts shop there!
- Need obstacle equipment?
- Here is a great resource for equipment. I got my teeter, chute, weave poles and jumps here.
Bark at me!
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xeract
Hello! Posted October 08, 2008 |
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JohannTheDog
Hi Jackie - thanks for barking in! Competition costs include a couple of things and it depends upon the competition venue. Posted March 07, 2008 |
Well i have thought about getting my dog into this. I just cant find out how much the competitions are.
Posted March 06, 2008
