What is Agility?
Agility is the fastest growing dog sport in North America and one of the most popular classes offered at Crocus Obedience & Kennel Club. At an agility trial, you will see handlers run their dogs through complicated courses consisting of many kinds of obstacles including jumps, weave poles, tunnels, dogs walks, A-frames and see-saws. Agility is a challenge and a competition to be enjoyed by handler, dog and spectator. The main elements of the sport are good sportsmanship and fun for the dog and handler. Nothing may be included in agility that could endanger the safety of the dogs participating, the handlers or spectators. It is a sport that is open to all dogs, without regard for pedigree.
The sport of agility is a team sport, the team being the dog and his handler. The goal is to build a strong relationship between dog and handler.The club’s philosophy of positive reinforcement is followed and we use play to promote relationship building and handler focus.
The agility instructors attend working clinics and seminars and compete regularly with their dogs in order to remain current with new teaching methods. The curriculum we have developed can be modifed as necessary to enable all class dogs to be successful.
Classes
COKC offers all levels of agility classes from Foundation to Competition. Agility follows the club philosophy of “positive but not permissive” training methods. Play is an important part of agility training as it builds the relationship between dog and handler and teaches the dog to focus on the handler and ignore distractions.
The pre-requisite for Foundation agility is COKC’s Manners 1 class. Following successful completion of this class those interested in agility may register for the Foundation Agility session. To register, call the club phone number, 725-2009, and leave your name and phone number or email cokcclasses@hotmail.com.
Agility does not follow the same intake schedule as the other classes due to the number of agility students we have, as well as space and time constraints. Once you register for Foundation agility you will be placed on a waiting list, and then notified when the next intake spot is available. There are usually three (3) Foundation intakes classes in a year.
The Foundation session is designed for puppies or adult dogs. The purpose of the session is to build specific skills that the dog needs before beginning obstacle training. He will learn to focus on you and the task at hand and ignore the many distractions in the environment. Once the Foundation session is successfully completed, handler and dog are eligible to move through the various levels of agility training.
Agility Trials and Fun Matches
COKC offers two sanctioned agility trials each year and several fun matches. The trials are sanctioned by the Agility Association of Canada (AAC). The AAC ensures the promotion of uniform, safe standards for dog agility in Canada.
The fun matches are simply that, fun opportunities for our students to come out and play with their dogs in a trial-like environment.