Many dog owners would "jump through hoops" for their pets, but an increasing number are getting their pets to do it for them!

Dog agility made its debut at the Crufts Dog Show in 1979 and is now the fastest growing dog sport in North America.

"Dogs love it," said Jeanne Daughenbaugh, agility trainer at Best Friends Pet Resort in Marietta. "Agility offers challenging exercise, it boosts their confidence, and even helps them focus. Practicing dog agility increases the bond between a pet and his handler."

What is it?
In agility , a dog follows cues from his handler and makes his way through an obstacle course. The dog-handler teams compete in "trials" during which they must complete the course while racing against the clock.

Obstacles include various types of tunnels, poles, ramps and jumps. The equipment was designed with safety in mind, and all jumps have easily displaceable bars so the dog will not be injured if he misjudges a jump bar.

Courses always differ from trial to trial, and are geared to the level of experience of the dogs who are competing. There are three levels of competition: novice, open and excellent, and dogs compete only against others of similar height and ability. Agility scores reflect speed and accuracy; judges add fault points to the score for each obstacle that is not taken cleanly.

Who can play?
Almost any dog can do agility, but the most popular breeds for the sport are the medium-to-large dogs known for their speed and dexterity — Border Collies, Pulis, Shetland Sheepdogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, etc. However, at a recent Columbus pet expo, a Newfoundland astounded the crowd in an agility demonstration.

Before commencing agility training, dogs should be examined by a veterinarian. Pre-screening usually consists of hip, elbow, and eye checks, and may include x-rays for dysplasia. Since jumping can have a negative impact on growing bones, owners are advised to wait until their puppy becomes a young adult to begin training. Most dogs are able to participate until they reach 8-10 years of age.

Obeying basic commands is also a pre-requisite. The dog must be able to sit, lie down, promptly come when called, hold a brief stay, maintain control around other dogs, and accept handling by strangers. Your local Best Friends may offer agility training as well as basic obedience courses.

When choosing a training class, Daughenbaugh cautions, be sure to find an instructor who is not too competitive or critical. "Agility training should be a positive, fun experience," she said, "so beware of trainers who push too hard or want results too fast."

Getting started
Once your dog has mastered basic obedience skills, you can begin obstacle training.
It's not difficult to create a home version of agility equipment: An eight-inch wide board raised a few inches off the floor is good for practicing the "Dog-Walk." A ramp can be constructed by placing a board firmly on an incline, and a "jump" can simply be a broomstick propped an inch or two off the ground.

There are several organizations devoted to dog agility, including the United States Dog Agility Association (http://www.usdaa.com/), and Just For Fun: Dog Agility For the Rest Of Us (http://www.dogwoodagility.com/). This group supports informal competitions and encourages casual agility games, such as those played in the park or in a neighbor's yard.

As one handler says, "Agility is like life: there's always another obstacle!"