Background to the sport of Dog Agility

Agility is a sport in which a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by overcoming different obstacles. In this sport the handler is given a set amount of time to direct their dog around a course of about 20 obstacles. Originally, agility was loosely modelled around show jumping for horses, the sport has evolved its own additional obstacles, scoring systems, and performance ideals.

Success in agility requires correct training, as it is a game of physical skill, control, patience and, most of all, teamwork between handler and dog. Agility is a race against the clock, but accuracy is the first requirement.

Agility courses usually consist of jumps, tunnels, tyre, a pause table, weave poles, and contact obstacles. Each course is timed and the dog that finishes with the fewest course faults and the fastest time wins

Below is a summary of the equipment and the rules that apply to each obstacle.

Jumps come in many shapes and sizes! The winged hurdle is the most common which is what we use at Limes Farm. The spread jumps include the double jump and long jump which requires the dogs to jump in a different bascule (technique), The tyre jump is very popular obstacle with a different �through� or �tyre� command used. Specialized jumps, such as the water jump, brush jump, and wishing well, which can also be seen on an agility course depending upon the wall jump class level.

The contact obstacles include the Dog walk, A-Frame, and SeeSaw. The dogs negotiate each obstacle by climbing over them and they must touch the different colour area known as the contact at the ends of each board. Dogs will be faulted unless one or more feet are in the contact zone while ascending and

Weave Poles are a series of upright poles that the dog weaves in and out, between them all. Dogs must enter with the first pole at their left shoulder and then proceed down the line of poles. The number of poles can vary but a full set includes 12 poles. This obstacle usually takes the longest to train well.

Two types of tunnels can be found on an Agility course. The pipe or rigid tunnel can be formed to make various shapes that the dogs run through. The collapsible / flat tunnel is made up of two parts. The entry portion is made of a rigid barrel on which a chute of material is attached. Dogs enter the barrel and burrow their way through the chute material to emerge on the other side. This is a crowd favourite when the little dogs go through! Tunnels are also considered a favourite obstacle by most dogs.

The Table is a place to stop and take a break from the action. The dogs pause on the table for a count of 5 seconds before proceeding on to the next obstacle. Not all dogs take kindly to this break in the action but it instils a level of control around the course.