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| Bran, Nigel Kenny's dog, flying at the A&P show 5 December 2010 Photo Courtesy of Francine Photography |
Many of these skills and tricks you will be able to practice at home with very little, or no gear. The aim of the Agility Beginners class is to create a good foundation of focus and movement in a highly exciting environment. By the end of the 10 weeks some participants may even be capable of participating at introductory competitions.
Once you have passed the first 10 weeks, you will move into a pre-competition class where you will be taught the contact equipment (dog-walk, A-frame and cross-over) and of course the weaves. This will prepare you for Starters and Novice level courses.
In order to start Agility training basic handling skills and off-lead control of your dog is necessary for you to get the most out of the classes. Training is done in an atmosphere which is very exciting, especially to a dog who may not be quite used to it.
Agility classes are held every Wednesday night at the Otaika Sportsgrounds starting at 6pm. There are only two intakes per year for the Beginners Class and these are in February and late September. If your dog is around the 12 months old stage (or older), be sure to contact agility@wdta.org.nz to reserve your place as spaces are limited.
You can contact our Chief Agility Instructor at agility@wdta.org.nz to arrange an assessment of you and your dog at a Wednesday night training session. There may be reasons why it would be beneficial for you to attend obedience classes before commencing agility classes and this can be arranged as well.
Click here for an Agility Beginners class enrolment form.
As well as holding regular agility training nights, as an affiliated member club of the New Zealand Kennel Club, Whangarei Dog Training Association holds Agility and Jumpers Ribbon Trial competitions and Agility and Jumpers Championship competitions annually. The ribbon trials are in week 36 and the Championship competition is week 44 of each year. As a member of the Whangarei Dog Training Association you may enter any Ribbon Trial that any dog club around the country may hold. You are also able to become a member of the New Zealand Kennel Club and will then be eligible to enter all Championship events.
The sport of Agility is fun and competitive, but it is a sport. It is well organized, with many competitions held around the country throughout the year. Just as in breed showing and obedience competition, Agility and Jumpers (now two different codes administered by the same body) offers Championship status to those who attain the right criteria. There are also other titles to be gained along the way if that is what suits you.
For the results from our latest Championship show click here.
For more information and the rules of agility go to the NZKC Agility Committee website www.dogagility.org.nz. This site is ever-evolving and it now offers many services from pre-entering Ribbon Trials online to online entries for Championship shows (where the individual club has the capabilities). The annual calendar of events is also available on this site and Championship show schedules as they appear in the NZ Dog World (the NZKC Kennel Gazette) are also posted up here so if you lost your copy and need to enter, all the information is there!
