On this page you will find common questions asked by people new to dog agility and dog agility training.

What is dog agility?

• Dog agility is a sport in which handlers guide their dogs through a timed obstacle course. Scoring is based off faults and the time it takes to complete the course. Dogs are off the leash and owners can only use vocal and body movement to guide the dog.

Can any breed compete in a dog agility competition?

• Yes, there is no discrimination of what type of breeds are allowed in competitions. However, there are different classes for different size breeds. For instance, a Maltese will be classified in the Toy Breed division.

What are the most common agility obstacles in a competition?

• In no particular order: A-frame, Dogwalk, Teeter-totter, crossover, and variations of jumps and tunnels.

Are leashes allowed?

• No, leashes are allowed during competition. The handler can only use voice commands and hand gestures to guide the dog through the course.

My puppy is less than a year old, can I start training him?

• It is not recommended that you start training a puppy in till his reaches his first year of age. Puppies should instead be trained on commands and learning how to follow the handler’s lead.