Agility Training

Most people know what agility is, simply an obstacle course for dogs. What most people don’t know, is how great agility is. Until recently, I didn’t know how great it was, but as soon as I was introduced, I was hooked. I am in beginning agility classes with my Border Collie, Shadow. Shadow has tried obedience, and wasn’t that amused. He wasn’t show quality, and there is no where in our area to do herding regularly. Furthermore, he isn’t cut out for Search and Rescue, and didn’t take to tracking either. Basically, Shadow had washed out of everything we were involved in. He had retired at the age of two, to become a full time pet. That’s when we heard about agility lessons in our area. He is now well on his way to becoming a competitor in the agility arena. Here is what we found out about agility…..

Agility is a social event

Our class loves getting together. We chat about our dogs, our families, and anything else that comes up. If you love getting to know new people, this sport is for you.

Anyone can do agility

I once heard a trainer say that she had 75 year olds in her agility class, and she expected them to run just as much as the 13 year olds. I know of top agility competitors that are wheelchair bound. I have never come across a person who could not do agility, if they had a desire to.

Any dog can do agility

I have watched many breeds do agility. I have seen Great Danes and Mastiffs run, and I have seen Chihuahuas and Yorkies run. Of course, Border Collies are an ideal breed for this sport, but there is no limit to a breed of great agility dog. A dog can learn this sport at any age as well. Many agility instructors offer puppy classes, where puppies are introduced to obstacles o­n the ground. I have also heard of a Border Collie that began agility at the age of twelve, and went on to many great wins. It is never to late to start your dog in agility.

Agility is a confidence booster

Many of the dogs in our class were timid and shy. They wouldn’t even go over an A-frame lying on the ground. Now they have blossomed, and have gained confidence in themselves, and in their handlers. With patience, a dog can come out of its shell, and agility can help.

Agility is humbling

Even if you have o­ne of the best dogs in the class…you will be totally embarrassed at least once. Shadow has a habit of making up his own obstacles, like walking over the tunnel instead of through it. That’s what makes this sport all the more fun.

The dogs have fun

If we are at home, practicing obedience, Shadow’s head is somewhere else. If we are at agility class, and I ask Shadow to heel, he is at my side immediately, watching my every move. We have so much fun, that he will do just about anything so that I will continue to let him run the course again. The expression o­n his face where we are running is what got me hooked to the sport.

These are just a few of the wonderful things we have found through agility. I hope that you and your dog can find as much joy as we have in this sport. I’m sure competing will give me a whole new outlook on the sport.

*Update* - This article was written many years ago, and I am no longer getting Shadow ready for competition.  At almost 10 years old he still enjoys practicing agility, it keeps him young!  I am now working toward competing with Tori, pictured at the top of the page.