Versatile Vallhunds
Agility by Sue Hodkinson
Agility
Agility is fun and the dogs enjoy it. It is something I have always been interested in. In 2004 I started with my 2 Labradors who I never competed with as I was doing it as a hobby.
Then in 2006 along came Star and when he was 14 months I started agility with him. He was easy to train, our main obstacle was the weave poles. Then I got flame and started to train her in agility, this has certainly make her more confident in herself.
Agility consists of jumps, pipe tunnel, tyre, collapsible tunnel, long jump, weave poles, spread jump, A frame, dog walk and see-saw.
The last three obstacles have a contact point at the start and end which the dog needs to touch with at least one paw, otherwise you will get faults in a show.
Agility
We train indoors and outdoors in the summer which gets the dogs used to both environments ready for the shows. You need to have the dog measured when you go to your first show. You will be given a record book with his permanent jump height in.
When we first started he went over low jumps and the pope tunnel. As he progressed we were introduced to the other equipment with the see-saw being the last, as some dogs are frightened by it to start off with.
The weave poles were the most difficult, but he got there in the end! My dogs like the agility classes better than just jumping classes. Steeplechase which is only jumps and tunnels they love!
Our first show was a 'UK Agility' show. At 16 months you can do the nursery classes (these don't have a typre, see-saw, weaves or spread jump) and steeple-chase.
At 18 months old, he was able to compete in all classes. 'UK Agility' also does agility 'games' – such as gamblers, snooker, time / fault and out, power and speed etc.
The only games my dogs have not done is snooker. With 'The Kennel Club' agility competitions your dog has to be 18 months old to compete.
Agility
Most of our shows are in the Spring and Summer but last year we did some winter shows – very good but early starts in the dark!
Like all competitions, you need to have confidence in your dog as well as yourself.
This is Star's third year at competing and last year he had his first trophies and Kennel Club placings. He has done exceptionally well this year with three qualifiers. He qualified for the Agility Club Small Starters Agility Challenge Final where he came 5th.
This is Flame's second year and she is doing well in her own little way! She enters all the classes that Star does and has been placed, especially in agility and Steeplechase.
If you want any more information about competing in dog agility, there is a fantastic book at www.dalysdogs.co.uk/booklets.
To check out the latest Kennel Club agility competition rule changes, visit www.dalysdogs.co.uk/agility-rule-changes.