Agility Competitions

By Helen Michaels

Agility Competitions are taking the nation by storm and their popularity is surpassing that of the more structured dog shows. Agility is a more fun and competitive dog sport that puts high marks on the dogs’ speed and the accuracy of their handlers. The pet dogs are directed through a gauntlet of tunnels, weave posts and other obstacles. It is very similar to equestrian events. As the dogs advance to higher levels of competition, the courses become more challenging.

Most breeds that excel in Agility Competitions are from the sporting and working breeds; these breeds are highly intelligent and fleet on their feet. It seems the dogs that do best are often curious, confident and trusting of their owners. Like in all sports, there is a component of physical fitness that entails changing the body’s direction with speed and precision.

For the actual Agility competition, agility courses are done with obstacles that a dog has to perform correctly. Handlers may call, clap or otherwise instruct the dog during every event to keep them focused. During the course the dog must make a number of jumps required, climb obstacles, weave through poles and get on a pause table. This course is timed and the dog that finishes with the fewest course faults and fastest time wins.

Here is breakdown of the obstacles one may see in a typical agility course:

A-Frame
This contact obstacle makes use of two joined panels forming a letter “A”. The dog must go up on one side and down the other side where it should touch the contact point.

Dog Walk

This obstacle makes use of two ramps that have a platform between them all measuring 12 inches across. To score points, the dog has to touch the contact zone at the ascending and descending ramp.

Pause Table
The dog must stop at this table; it can sit or stay at this point. The judges allot 5 seconds for every dog.

Seesaw
With the use of a 12 inch wide plank and a base at the middle; the dog is suppossed make the contact point at the plank and maneuver it to tip down at the other side for the dog to get off.

Open Tunnel
This is a 10-20 ft. cloth tunnel that the dog must pass through; it curves so that the dogs wont see the exit.

Jumps
Depending on the level of competition, the course has different kinds of jumping: single-bar, panel, double bar and the triple. The heights also depend on the height of the dog. Jumps can be poised from 8 inches to 24 inches.

Closed Tunnel
This tunnel is made of hard material and at its end is a chute. The closed tunnel measures from 12 to 15 ft.

Weave Poles
This course makes use of poles instead of cones; these poles may be as low as 6 poles and as numerous as 12 poles. Each pole is 36 inches tall and 20 - 24 inches all arranged in a straight lined.

Agility competitions have done a lot for pet owners and dogs. Many owners with aggressive or bored dogs have seen benefits from agility training. Agility training is fun for pet and pet owners, and they are here to stay.

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