Doesn't Wink look like she loves dog agility?

Debbie Harrison / Contributor

So, how much fun is dog agility?

In short, the answer is — limitless!

Many have seen dog agility on TV, YouTube and other outlets. What you see there are people negotiating their dogs over and through agility obstacles — i.e. jumps, tunnels, Aframe, dogwalk, teeter totter, tire, weave poles, etc. The dogs love it, for many reasons:

• They get to spend quality time with their human building bonding, leadership and relationship
• They get to get out of the house — physical exercise (particularly important during the winter when exercised outdoors may be limited)
• They get to learn how to do new things and gain confidence — mental exercise
• They get to meet new dogs and how to behave around their new friends — social exercise
• They get lots of treats and praise (positive reinforcement) for performing the obstacles

What more could any dog want?

And quite honestly, humans love the game for many of the same reasons.

The first widely documented appearance of dog agility was at the 1978 Crufts dog show; it was to be simply a source of entertainment for the crowds between the conformation and obedience shows. It was essentially as a sized-down version of equestrian jumping. The crowd loved it! Over the following years the sport evolved into the fastest growing, fun dog activity and spread throughout the world in a very short time.

Agility is for any size, breed, sex or otherwise type of dog — the equipment is adjustable to meet the needs of all, particularly in the learning stages when the equipment starts out downscaled so that learning/training is gradual and most of all, safe.

I have often heard people say “My dog will never do that!” and very soon, the dog does do the obstacle — and the owner is flabbergasted. This type of incident is a sheer joy to me as an instructor. Being able to provide dogs and their people with an opportunity to develop a closer, deeper bond by conquering challenges and having fun together is the reason I'm an agility instructor. It's a very rewarding job.

Many people initially get involved in the game/sport only as a exercise/mental outlet for the dog, then often, after their dog demonstrates how skillful, brave and driven they are for the game they become interested in elevating their agility fun to the competitive arena and compete in trials for titles and ribbons, which, as well is very fun, you can meet some great folks at these events, fellow dog lovers that highly value their dogs and the fun they have together.

Many people tell me that their dog learns what night class is and they are so excited when that night comes that they are all geeked up and can hardly wait to go. Then they start whining when they pull in the driveway to the facility. Dog agility is the definition of having fun with your dog, your best friend — they will love you for giving them the opportunity!

Debbie Harrison is a community contributor on AnnArbor.com's pet section and entered the world of agility back in 1992. She has since loved, trained and competed with two Dalmatians, two Jack/Parson Russell Terriers and three Border Collies in several disciplines in the sport. She is owner of Agility Synergy in Ann Arbor. Contact her via email.