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| Agility is a fast-paced and exciting sport that was
modelled after horse show jumping. A dog and handler team work a course with a
specified number of jumps, tunnels, contact equipment and weave poles in a specified
period of time. The dogs perform the obstacles with instruction from the
handler. The team may incur faults for errors such as knocking bars, missing contact
areas or obstacles and taking too long. Agility is a good way to
challenge a dog both mentally and physically. Dogs learn to respond to the handler's
voice and body signals. Dogs can learn the obstacles by name and learn directional
signals such as left, right, and go forward. The sport requires quick thinking and
response by the handler to a potentially fast moving dog. Handlers are allowed to
give an unlimited number of verbal or visual commands to their dogs but may not touch the
dog or the equipment.
Basic obedience skills are strongly recommended since the dog should be
under control and must be able to sit, down and come when called.
Agility is physically demanding and not every dog is built for this
sport. The Agility Association of Canada (AAC), Canadian (CKC) and American Kennel
Clubs (AKC) have classes that allow dogs to compete for titles by jumping a lower heights.
Some organizations, including the AAC allow non-purebred dogs to compete - a perfect
opportunity for that rescue lab! |
| Obstacles |
| Jumps |
| Each type of jump is set at the proper height for each class,
determined by the height of the dog at the withers (shoulders). Dogs must clear the full
height of the jump without knocking a bar off. Types of jumps include double,
single, winged, spread and tire. |
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Contact Equipment
The contact obstacles, named because of the yellow
"contact zones" at each end. To perform these obstacles correctly, the dog must
get at least one paw in each contact zone when they mount and dismount the obstacle. The
contact zone rule is for safety considerations.
The contact equipment includes the see-saw or teeter-totter, dog walk, A frame and
cross-over |
Weave Poles
The dog must enter to the right of the first pole (the pole is on the dog's left)
and zig-zag through to the end. They must not miss a pole. |
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Pause Table
The dog must land on the table or in the box and assume a sit or down
position for a count of five seconds. |
Tunnels
There are two types of tunnels, open tunnels which are long flexible open
tubes; and closed tunnels or "chutes", which are open at one end and have a
collapsed fabric tube at the other. |
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| Different organizations offer different types of classes.
Currently, the CKC and AKC offer Standard and Jumpers with Weave classes at both
standard and preferred (lower) jump heights. The AAC offers Standard and Games
classes with standard, special and veterans height classes. USDAA and NADAC events
are rarely offered in this area and are not described here. |
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