I've started doing agility with my Brittany when he was something like 7 or 8 months old because he was so active and really needed a job. My coach told me that he's a smart dog, for real. He's progressed very fast, without me being super serious about it. Same goes with tricks, he knows a whole lot of them. Most of them were very easy to teach and we're taught in one or two sessions. The most complicated ones to him were the ones asking him to use his body differently and to be aware of his own body parts (like sit pretty, orbit, crossing paws). Those ones I worked on over weeks.

I've adopted a Sheltie pup, he's 5 months old and I got him at 4 months old and I'm a bit anxious. He seems slow compared to my Brittany. My Brittany was always ready to try very hard to understand what I was expecting of him. My Sheltie just stops when he doesn't understand, he completely freezes. Once he understands though, it's perfect. Teaching him to sit was complicated and I worked on it maybe for 4 sessions before having results. Now he does sit perfectly. I've taught him "down" and he did learned it a bit quicker but he sometimes has a hard time remembering it. I wanted to teach him to go around a cone but he doesn't get it at all. He can follow my hand, but having him thinking by himself and trying something is nearly impossible.

Am I asking too much to a puppy of that age? I'm worried he might not like training... I'm worried he might not think agility is fun. I'll still love him no matter what. I'm really looking for that connection between us. What do you think?

Hello everyone. My dog and I are starting our agility journey and have jumped into an intro to agility course. We’ve done some obedience training in the past and we both love it, and I think we’re pretty good at it. The one problem that we have not found a way to solve, my dog makes noise… like a lot. He gets so excited and starts barking while doing a perfect heel or while running on a recall. If he sits for too too long, he’ll bark when released. I think you get the point. We’ve worked with trainers on this and they’ve concluded it’s just a drive thing and we just need to work on relaxing.

I think we’ve made strides on this, but today in our first proper agility lesson, he stayed quiet and so focused until the very end when he just started barking and would not settle. Thankfully it was literally the end, like we were leaving. He was perfect otherwise, I’d say. Maybe I’m just in my own head about this, a little embarrassed honestly, especially since everyone else’s dogs were so quiet. What are your thoughts on barky/noisy dogs during training? Super annoying or just a meh thing? And if you have any tips on getting him to chill out, that would be wonderful 😂. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I have a 20-month old Rhodesian Ridgeback who we started doing agility classes with about 6 months ago. We take her to a weekly class for an hour, and then I practice with her about four times a week at home.

She is very quick and during our practice sessions she is awesome - super attentive, seems happy, etc. I’m still feeding her out of my hand for now but working up to using targets.

Recently though, when we get to class every week, she goes wild. She can’t even really do a sit/stay which is super easy for her at home. She doesn’t listen or read my cues, and she knocks absolutely everything over. She won’t finish weaves, launches herself off the A Frame without touching, etc. She also howls the whole time that she’s running. It’s like I’m working with a completely different dog. This started maybe a month or two ago, and I am at a loss - obviously in class there are more distractions (other dogs and people, new smells, etc), but I don’t know how to “train” for this, when practice at home is so different.

I’m really only doing agility because my dog enjoys it and it’s a way for us to build a relationship. Does anyone have any advice on how to help my dog? Is it just a matter of sticking with it, or is agility just not the right fit?

Hello all. I have been reading the UKI rulebook but I am not sure I understand how the games (snooker, gablers, power & speed) work. Can someone please explain it to me (for dummies).

Here is my understanding but please correct.

1. Gamblers (I think I get that one pretty well): The course is not numbered and there are points for the different obstacles (usually has all obsticles). You have to start at the start jump and end at the finish jump. Other than that you can take the obstacles in any order you want until the horn sounds trying to accumulate point where each obstacle has a different value. When the horn goes off you have to try the gamble which is usually a short sequence that the judge gives and there are usually two options worth different points based on the difficulty. You are also often given some time to complete the gamble. Can you do other obstacles during that time or do you have to stick to just the gamblers? Can you take the finish jump before you are actually done or would that end your run? After you complete the gamble you have to go through the finish jump.

2. Snooker: directly from the rulebook and this makes sense

Red jump, any colored obstacle, Red jump (different from first red), any colored obstacle, Red jump (different from first and second red), any colored obstacle, Yellow 2, green 3, brown 4, blue 5, pink 6, black 7, Finish Jump or line

Now my question is on maps I often see 3a, 3b, 3c does that mean I can take any of those or all of them? If I do 3a does that mean I have to do 4a or can I do 4b/c? Usually in snooker the judge tells you how to take the jumps unless explicitly stated that it is a bi directional obstacle. I have only seen jumps and tunnels at snookers but the rulebook mentions other obstacles as well, what else can be allowed? You are not penalized if you take other obstacles after the closing sequence but does that give you any points?

3. Power & Speed: I haven't seen much of this game in my area, is it not that popular? This is two part. The first part is power which includes the contact obstacles, weaves, long jump and spread jump**. Is this ordered by the judge or do I figure out in which order to take them?** And then the speed which is just jumps and tunnels. Again is this numbered? I know there is a standard time for each part but the rulebook says "The Speed section is the only section recorded by time and faults on the scoring." what exactly does that mean in terms of scoring?

Final question, for titles, UKI requires points from the games. Does it matter which game the points come from? Say I love snooker, can we only get points from that to count towards titles? Sorry for the long winded question, trying to solidify my understanding. Thanks in advance!

My dog *loves* agility. Training is mostly at home because we don’t have many options but that’s okay, we’re having fun. Of course, that means I have limited help for problems. Right now, I’m trying to break her from running back to me after she completes an obstacle. She’ll complete her tunnel or part of a jump sequence and immediately run up to me, barking her little head off. I don’t treat her during runs, so it’s more like she’s coming to me to say, “Mom! Mom! I’m done! What’s next?” She’s a retriever and dang fast, and a real tripping hazard when I’m trying to run the course! Help me before she takes me out?

Hey agility lovers!

I’ve been thinking a lot about agility equipment lately and I’m super curious to know about everyone’s favorites. Do you swear by any specific brands like Mad200, Galican, or another top name? What's the piece of equipment that really changed the game for you, and why do you love it so much?

Also, let's dream a little: Is there any "state-of-the-art" gear from these top brands or others that you've been eyeing but find just out of reach financially? Maybe you've spotted some incredible setups at championships or in high-end training facilities that just blew your mind?

Can't wait to hear all about your top picks and wishlist items! Let’s share some insights and maybe even some goals! 🐾

Hello everyone! Newbie to agility here. I would love to get some guidance on how to choose which organization to compete in. I am most familiar with AKC but that is because that is what my club mainly does. I would love to hear about some of the main differences between organizations, primarily course style and difficulty, titling and main events, which part of the county are events focus in, train in the ring rules, and anything and everything useful! I found this article a great read and would like to expand on it https://sandiegocoastalagility.com/news/curious-about-uki/. Thank you!

Are you allowed to wear earbuds while running during agility? Provided they don't fall out? I know you can wear earplugs if you have an especially loud dog. But what about earbuds?

Both my dog and I are pretty green to agility. We do ok in a class setting. But when trialing the nerves get to me and I'd forget everything I planned to do lol. On top of that, I have an intact boy who just turned 2 and he's fast..so that makes me hurry even more when running a course because I have a hard time catching up (I consider my self a decent runner). We need to work on more distance handling so he knows to take the obstacles in front of him since I'm often 3 obstacles behind if there isn't any contact obstacle in between for me to catch up. That being said, which venue has more spread open obstacles that are easier for novice handlers to navigate? So that I can gain more trialing experience? My friend keeps telling me to do AKC and she'll help me. But I don't think at this point We'd do well in AKC since the obstacles are fairly close to each other. Once I'm in panic mode, I won't be able to cue my dog in time for a tight turn.

I will preface this by saying that I only run AAC so those are the only trials that I consider entering.

One weekend this summer, I will have to pick between two AAC trials that are both nearby (same driving distance but opposite directions). One trial (trial A) is outdoors, on grass, with judges that I really like, and I like their courses. The other trial (Trial B) is indoors, on matting, with judges that I'm not really familiar enough with their courses to have an opinion on them. Trial A will have standard courses; Trial B is all games (Snooker, Gamble, and Jumpers). I love the games! How do I decide which trial to enter? A lot of my friends will be at Trial A. Entering Trial A on Saturday, and Trial B on Sunday could be an option but I'm really trying to run only one day a weekend. Ahhhhh! Decisions! Help!

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https://preview.redd.it/ew3zlzak8nuc1.jpg?width=702&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=134b0d95eef0b516a20526f041289a1f9c3b3dc7

https://preview.redd.it/w22cx78l8nuc1.jpg?width=862&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dbc0ad6fdc30243c257a269e1a1eb78109476859

https://preview.redd.it/cwuyo98a9nuc1.jpg?width=702&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52a9c2aab68f625ce8dcf2d301cd3a6dfb2ec944

Also, your daily reminder that it's really hard to photograph a puppy >.>

Anyway, say hello to little Ursula, who came home last night at 10 weeks. She is the literal sister to our 2 year old Oroku Saki, and is another Tri-Colored Pembroke Welsh Corgi (with a tail!). 2nd (and final) litter from the same bitch, different sire.

I had the luxury of visiting this litter in the past, and Ursula is the one I spent the least amount of time with during those visits, so we're only now getting a sense of her personality. She's veeerrrrrrry sweet, and very people-oriented. Saki already adores her, as he's happy to have another pup on his wavelength. The other dogs are completely indifferent to her :D

Disclaimer: this isn't my first rodeo on the path to corgility, so we'll be taking the same approach as we did with Saki. We already have puppy training class lined up, and I expect that she'll have her CGC in a matter of months. Formal agility training will not begin until she's at least 1 year old, and in the meantime, she'll likely attend a few conditioning and foundational seminars to get her started. She comes from a line of agility corgis, so I expect that she'll naturally take to it, but all in due time. And in the off-chance she's not into it, we'll find something else to engage her.

Thanks for letting me share!

I realize this is not explicitly k9 sports related, but it seems the people in dog sports are the most knowledgeable about traveling with crates in cars :)

I am looking to secure my ruffland kennel in the back of my 4runner where it will live 99% of the time. Problem is, with the spot I want to position it, the crate's front tie-down point is in front of the cargo's tie down. So if I attach the points to that cargo tie down as well as the ones in the back of the cargo area, I don't see how I can stop it from shifting backwards? With the seat up, it acts as a sort of wall, however the crate is obviously not securely held "in place" without it. Additionally, I plan to often have the rear seat down.

https://imgur.com/a/eoOtJED

Any ideas how I can more reliably secure it in place?

We've been doing agility for a year or two, very off-and on with work schedules, but I'm looking for gift ideas for my partner. We drive to shows and either set up in the car for the day, or on a lawn, and have the basics - folding chairs, crate, blanket, cooler for drinks etc. What kind of gear do you guys have that you swear by for these long days of hanging around, or that you think isn't obvious to have but seems invaluable? If it matters, temps here can range from 30F to 95F, rain, grey, sun, you name it (the indoor arenas here don't have a ton of extra space).

Not my stream but I’m really excited 4Legged Flix stepped up so we can all watch!

https://www.youtube.com/live/c2m3Ue97oyc?si=w649Tb8TwI1pgDBW

Hi all!

I’m entering shows in the UK and have to register with ‘Agility Plaza’ after registering with the kennel club.

I’m a little confused as I’ve come across soemthing called ‘colour code’ does this literally mean what colour she is? Because I would literally call her ‘sable’ but it gives me a colour wheel?

I’ve tried googling it but it’s just telling me that blue means service dog, red means aggressive etc.

My boyfriend asked if it’s to do with her size/ what class she would be in.

I’m genuinely lost and don’t really have anyone to ask about it.

To clarify: it’s under the general information about my dog

2024 Team USA Fundraiser for Reese & Havana

Havana

One of my friends has been selected to represent Team USA at the 2024 IFCS World Agility Championships. If anyone would like to help them by participating in her auction it would be greatly appreciated.

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"Havana and Reese have been selected to represent Team USA at the 2024 IFCS World Agility Championships in France this year between 4/30 and 5/5, woohoo!! We are one of 22 dog and handler teams, with just 3 teams in the 300mm height division from across the nation. Although this is an incredible honor that I’ve dreamed about since the moment I held her in my arms back in December of 2021 at just 10 weeks old, the financial costs for such an adventure are substantial. All airfare, lodging, veterinary costs, international health certificates and transportation while representing Team USA must be covered personally or fundraised. Our team is raising money both individually and as a whole, so there’s more than one way you can contribute! : ) "

Please share your unique backside verbal cues! I've been trying to work with 'back' but it's just not popping out like I want. 'Push' sounds way too close to my toy marker cue, 'pshhh'. I'm considering 'check', but that's just confusing because both my instructors use 'check' for a non-backside skill (and they each use 'check' for a different skill, sos) plus it's close to my food marker, 'chip'. I'm in turmoil and I've caused it all myself!

Hi all,

I recently started doing awards for our club and wanted to pick people's brains with questions:

1. What is a good kind of craft paint for doing letting and stuff on MACH bars?
2. What are some examples of nifty MACH bars you have been graced with? (Alas, I have fast dog/slow handler syndrome, so I haven't gotten any.)
3. I would love for ideas on quick, easy, nice looking ways for people to get their dog's name on the bar at the trial.
4. Tips, tricks, cautions, suggestions?