agility

Agility

Dog agility is a fun sport in which a handler aims to accurately direct a dog around an obstacle course in the fastest possible time.
It is based on equestrian show jumping. Penalties are awarded for failing to complete either an obstacle or the course correctly. The dog that negotiates the course in the fastest time and with the least number of faults, is declared the winner. This means that for success in agility competitions considerable speed and accuracy are required.

In competitions, dogs must run off leash and without food or toys as incentives. The handler is faulted for touching either the dog or the obstacles. Consequently the handler’s controls are limited to voice, movement and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal. Depending on the level, dogs will have to negotiate between 17 and 25 obstacles. There are five levels and competitors move up by winning or earning points. With each level the courses become more challenging and complex.

Obstacles that the dog may be required to negotiate include jumps, tunnels, a crossover, dogwalk, A-frame and even a seesaw. Possibly the most complex piece of agility equipment is a line of 12 poles, generally referred to as the weave. The dog must enter on a specific side and slalom in and out to the end without missing a pole. Increasingly popular is the relatively new Jumpers class, which has no contact equipment or weave poles.

The sport of agility is suitable for all sizes and breeds of dogs, including mixed breeds. The only pre-requisites being a general level of good health & fitness (including not being over-weight), reasonable off lead control and a basic level of obedience.

NSDTC runs 1 hour classes in agility on Thursday evening. The first classes start at 6.45pm but participants should arrive no later than 6.30 pm to assist with setting up the equipment. Please note that dogs must be 12 months old to be accepted into our entry level class and handlers at least 15 years of age (unless prior arrangement has been made with the club). Contact information can be found on the page 'Contact' and there is more on the page Downloads.

Prior to moving on to our competitive training groups, participants will progress through 4 classes, each with a different focus.

Level 1 – Foundation skills for agility
Level 2 – Mastering the equipment
Level 3 – Teamwork - Handling skills & Communication
Level 4 – Competitions & Courses

Anyone who has previously attended classes elsewhere, may attend at 6.30pm most Thursday nights for assessments to ascertain the appropriate class for them to join. Please contact the agility co-ordinators Tonka or Matilda to make prior arrangements.

The flygility and agility fraternaties in New Zealand support a national competition organised by the National Agility Link Association (NALA ). Each month, a section of the NALA magazine, sent to all its members, outlines the courses for that month and publishes the results of the previous month. Members from all over the country compete against eachother at their own club, without having to travel! NSDTC members are encouraged to become NALA members to be eligible to run LINK. Weather permitting, agility LINK night is the first Thursday of every month, start 8pm.