There are over 3 million pet dogs in Australia, with around 38% of households keeping a dog. However, backyards are getting smaller, dogs are not allowed off the lead in public places, and off-lead exercise areas are few and far between. Lack of exercise and socialisation can lead to boredom, destructive behaviour and even aggression in dogs. That is why agility training is becoming such a popular activity for both dogs and their owners.

What is it?

Agility could be described as the canine equivalent of human orienteering. Dogs perform a series of tasks on the commands of their owners. They jump over obstacles and hurdles, run through tunnels and chutes, weave through a slalom of upright poles, and zip over ramps and seesaws. Dogs score most points for a fast round without technical faults, much like the scoring in equestrian show jumping.

While only purebreds can compete in the show ring, dogs of all breeds and backgrounds can participate in agility. The only requirements are that dogs are healthy, vaccinated, microchipped and registered with the local council. Veterinarian Rob Zammit says agility is great exercise for dogs, but provides much more mental stimulation than just walking or running does. It also teaches owners how to handle their dogs well.

Flyball

Flyball is an exciting new branch of agility. It is basically a relay race between two teams of dogs. Each team has four members. One dog from each team runs from a flying start, jumps over four hurdles, triggers a flyball box pedal, catches a tennis ball and then returns over the hurdles to the start/finish line where the next member of the team eagerly waits its turn.

How do I start?

The best way to get started is to join your nearest agility club. You and your dog will then go through a four-week beginner's course and learn to work as a team. You'll learn how to handle your dog using body language, voice commands and positive reinforcement (rewards).

As you advance you might want to enter your dog in agility competitions. Dogs can obtain titles as they progress in skill. The titles consist of 'Agility Dog' (AD), 'Agility Dog Excellent' (ADE) and 'Agility Dog Masters' (ADM). In order to achieve a title, the dog must successfully complete a course designed for that level, within a particular time limit, on three separate occasions. Your dog won't understand the concepts of winning or losing, but it will have tremendous fun.

Contact information

We filmed our segment with:

Ian Ferguson
Vice President
Parramatta International Canine Sports Inc - PICSI
(Formerly Parramatta International Agility Club)
Phone: 0402 309 085
Email: p_i_c_s_i@yahoo.com.au
Website: piac.freeservers.com

Agility
Agility Dog Association of Australia - ADAA
(Queensland, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory only)
Phone: (07) 3202 2361
Email: secretary@adaa.com.au
Website: www.adaa.com.au

Flyball
Australian Flyball Association - AFA
Phone: (02) 6299 4908
Email: afa@flyball.com
Website: www.flyball.org.au

Australian National Kennel Council - ANKC
State Bodies
Royal New South Wales Canine Council - RNSWCC
Phone: (02) 9834 3022
Email: k9council@rnswcc.org.au
Website: www.rnswcc.org.au

Victorian Canine Association - VCA
Phone: (03) 9788 2500
Email: office@vca.org.au
Website: www.vca.org.au

Canine Control Council Queensland - CCCQ
Phone: (07) 3252 2661
Email: dogqld@powerup.com.au
Website: www.cccq.org.au

ACT Canine Association - ACTCA
Phone: (02) 6241 4404
Email: administrator@actca.asn.au
Website: www.actca.asn.au

South Australian Canine Association - SACA
Phone: (08) 8349 4797
Email: info@saca.caninenet.com
Website: www.saca.caninenet.com

Canine Association of Western Australia - CAWA
Phone: (08) 9455 1188
Email: k9@cawa.asn.au
Website: www.cawa.asn.au

Tasmanian Canine Association - TCA
Phone: (03) 6272 9443
Email: tca@iprimus.com.au
Website: www.tca.freeservers.com

North Australian Canine Association - NACA
Phone: (08) 8984 3570
Email: naca@topend.com.au
Website: www.users.bigpond.com/naca1

Copyright CTC Productions 2002