Fun With Dog Sports — The Agility Playground
Ask my dogs what their favorite thing is, and they would tell you food, any kind of food….but their second favorite, they would say, is the game of dog agility. You've probably seen it on TV or the internet; dogs racing around a course of jumps and tunnels with big smiles on their faces.
To a dog, agility is a fast-paced game with playground equipment and their favorite hooman.
When I First Tried Agility Out Many Years Back…
When I first tried agility out many years back, I had a dog who was convinced he couldn't do anything; get in the car by himself, jump over an 8-inch chasm in the ground on a hike…he was a big Golden Retriever with absolutely no confidence.
My thought was to try to improve his belief that he could jump and climb on his own.
The class worked, and we both were hooked.
I'll never forget the first time I found out I could guide him from a distance by simply moving my body.
He was running ahead of me, and I needed him to take a sharp right turn before taking a jump. I threw out my arm and turned, then yelled for him to take the jump, thinking it was futile. But to my astonishment, he saw my commands, turned, and took the jump! That day I learned just how far a dog's peripheral vision extends. He saw me even though I was almost 8 feet directly behind him. We were so in sync with each other that it was like dancing to me.
It feels the same today with my current Master level dog; I feel as though we are dancing at a distance, and for her, it feels like a guided high-speed tour of the playground. When she goofs up, it's almost always because I goofed up, and she tells me about it!
My younger dog is still working on restraining herself from trying to get petted by the judge and other people sitting on the course who put bars back up if they get knocked down. She is sure everyone on the planet is dying to make out with her because that's what she wants! That girl just can't hold her licker!
Many people think they are physically unable to do agility because they can't run fast, and they never try it.
However, I have seen people guide their dogs from a motorized scooter or from the center of the ring, barely walking in the direction the dog needs to go. They have trained excellent commands and distance, so their dog doesn't need them to babysit the obstacles. You don't need to be able to run fast to have fun with this sport!
There Are a Few Guidelines for Dogs
In general, giant breeds may have trouble with the tunnel, as they are 24 inches in diameter. So tall Wolfhounds and great big Newfies would have to be able to army crawl through 20 feet of 24 inches across. That, to us, would feel like wiggling through a 14-inch tunnel, kind of scary, but there is a real risk of getting stuck. Giant breeds just don't do competitive agility, but I'm always hopeful tunnel sizes will change so our gentle giants can enjoy competing in this fun sport. That doesn't mean they can't take classes; they can simply skip the tunnel portion.
Short-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Bostons also have some real risks due to their breathing difficulties. They should see a vet for guidance first. There is a soft palate reduction surgery to remove obstructions to the airway, which may be an option for anyone serious about competing.
Puppies and really heavy dogs can learn the obstacles and play the game but should wait to jump any height above their elbow until they are grown or lost some weight to prevent injury.
Older dogs can absolutely play with lowered heights! My Master level dog is 11 and still loves the game. AKC now has a 'For Exhibition Only' class which isn't judged. You can enter whatever jump height class you want and go play. Perfect for older dogs and learning youngsters!
What Can You Expect From Taking an Agility Class?
First, keep in mind competition later is optional. You don't have to compete - enjoy and have fun with your dog!
You and your dog will learn how to safely maneuver the various obstacles and learn to work together as a team. Your dog thinks he's having fun on the playground, but he's learning to take guidance from you. Having a dog who's more in tune with you is never a bad thing!
For dogs without confidence in their physical abilities, agility will help them see they can do more than they think. Learning at any age exercises the brain, so it will help your older dog fight off the effects of aging.
Learning is also somewhat tiring, plus agility is physical for them. After this activity, those energetic younger dogs will be ready for a nap. A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy!
Seasonal weather can be a real challenge for some to get out of the house and exercise their dogs. An agility class in a climate-controlled space can help with that.
Any dog can benefit from having some fun with their hooman. So find a class in your area and go play!