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Agility is a timed event where you guide your dog through a pre-set obstacle course.
Courses have between 14-20 obstacles including tunnels, weave poles, tire jumps, seesaws, and pause tables where the dog must stop for a set amount of time.
At each trial you and your dog will race around the unique courses designed for that day.
All of this is done with your dog relying on your cues and signals to direct them through course.
Novice Agility Standard & Novice Jumpers With Weaves Classes. The Novice Agility Standard class and the Novice Jumpers With Weaves class are divided into Divisions A and B. Division A is for dogs that have never acquired any AKC agility title and must be handled by a person that has never put an AKC agility title on any dog. Division B is for dogs that have acquired the Novice Agility title, or the Novice Agility Jumper title, or handled by a person who have handled a dog to any AKC agility title.
Open Agility Standard Class. Open to dogs that have acquired the Novice Agility or the Open Agility titles but have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Agility Excellent title.
Open Jumpers With Weaves. Open to dogs that have acquired the Novice Agility Jumper or the Open Agility Jumper titles but have not acquired a qualifying score towards an Excellent Agility Jumper title.
Excellent Agility Standard Class. Open to dogs that have acquired the Open Agility title, and to dogs that have acquired the Agility Excellent title but that have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Master Agility Excellent title.
Excellent Jumpers With Weaves Class. Open to dogs that have acquired the Open Agility Jumper title and to dogs that have acquired the Excellent Agility Jumper title but have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Master Excellent Jumper title.
Master Agility Standard Class. Open only to dogs that have acquired the Agility Excellent title, and to dogs that have acquired the Master Agility Excellent title.
Premier Agility Standard Class. Open to all dogs eligible to enter agility trials.
Master Jumpers With Weaves Class. Open only to dogs that have acquired the Excellent Agility Jumper title and to dogs that have acquired the Master Excellent Jumper title.
Premier Jumpers With Weaves Class. Open to all dogs eligible to enter agility trials.
Getting Started
Agility is a great activity for dogs that are high energy, love to run, responds to instruction and gets along well with other dogs.
You are also an important part of the team and don’t need to be an athlete to participate with your dog. It’s all about training and developing good communication between you and your dog.
Training Classes
Sign up for an Agility training class for you and your dog. As beginners, you and your dog will be introduced to obstacles and learn the basics of how to compete. Most classes meet once a week for an hour or so.
Practice at home is equally important. Just 15-20 minutes a day practicing what you learned in class will help you both get used to the sport and discover how much fun Agility can be.
