04/20/2023
Let’s talk about agility - or as I like to call it, "Canine Ninja Warrior: Caffeine Edition," where dogs and their handlers put their energy levels to the ultimate test.
Now, you know Mondioring has an agility section for proper dogs but if you prefer watching your four-legged friend attempt to defy the laws of physics, then agility is the game you never knew you needed in your life.
In agility trials, dogs have to navigate a series of obstacles while their handlers, who seem to be perpetually hyped up on a mysterious blend of energy drinks and crack, guide them through the course like over-caffeinated air traffic controllers.
Now I’m no expert, but here are some of the exhilarating exercises these hyperactive duos tackle. (I think)
✅ Double Shot Dog Walk ☕️: The dog walks a narrow, elevated plank while their handler frantically guides them, as if they just had their third espresso of the day and need to burn off some steam.
✅ Energy Boost Weave Poles ⚡️: The dog weaves in and out of a line of poles, with their handler bouncing alongside them like they've been chugging energy drinks since dawn.
✅ Red Bull-Infused Hurdles 🚀: The dog leaps over a series of jumps, while their handler cheers them on like they're auditioning for a mascot position at an extreme sports event.
Some of them have been known to take a s**t mid course but apparently this is frowned upon. I think a dog did it once too.
So, if you're looking for a dog sport that combines the adrenaline of a high-speed car chase, and the hyperactive enthusiasm of a cocaine-fuelled dance party, agility is the perfect outlet for you and your pup to channel all that unbridled excitement. Just remember to pack some extra energy bars!
So to give you the lowdown on this madness please welcome Championship handler with 3 different breeds. Crufts and Olympia finalist with multiple dogs. Full-time agility trainer and UK and international agility judge. Becci Hodson
AKA Legs. For. Days.
Here are her top 5 Benefits
🌪 Outlet for energy
Give those energetic, busy dogs something to do with their brain and body.
Channelling excess energy into something structured and exciting is much better than having dogs getting up to their own mischief.
🐕 Body awareness
The dogs need to perform precision skills at high speeds, and therefore they have to really learn how to control their bodies. Great foundation training will put a heavy emphasis on body awareness skills, and ongoing fitness and conditioning work throughout their training is essential to keep them fit and strong. This in turn can help prevent injuries, and can keep them healthy and active into their older years too.
🧠 Brain work
There are so many complex and varied skills to learn in agility! It makes us better handlers and trainers as we work through the never ending list of skills and techniques that we can train our dogs.
But best of all, we can marvel at our dogs' incredible ability to learn, problem solve, and deliver a huge range of behaviours, and then deliver them at speed, under pressure, and often with only vague and sometimes inaccurate guidance from us 😉
❤️ Relationship
The bond and connection between dog and handler will develop through the training, and as handlers learn how to play and motivate their dogs, they start to enjoy the game more and more! In a sport where there is no physical contact between dog and handler whilst under test, the invisible connection that ties them together is absolutely critical.
🤩 Adrenaline junkies
If you love an adrenaline hit, then this sport is for you! Nothing beats the buzz of 30-40 seconds of flat out sprinting, intense focus, and elation at delivering skills successfully!
It's also clear to see that many of our dogs enjoy the thrill of agility too, as their tails wag on the start line, their teeth chatter with excitement, and they just want to do it again and again!
It's not for every person or dog of course, but for those who love it, it's truly addictive 🤩
