Skyline Agility Club, October 19th 2025

Most dogs love to run and jump. Imagine finding a sport that encourages your dog to do just that! Agility is one of the fastest growing dog sports because just about every dog can do it and it’s a lot of fun, for both dogs and handlers. It is exciting for everyone, even spectators.

The sport encourages a deep bond between dog and handler. Hours are spent training. Dogs learn to trust their handlers, even when they are quite a distance away. Traveling to trials can mean long car trips and sometimes a hotel stay.

The sport has a variety of titling organizations, including AKC and NADAC, each having their own rules and special classes. Every course will have jumps and some will have tunnels or weaves. There are A-frames and dogwalks and even a teeter-totter in some of the classes. Dogs have to follow a specific course, planned by the judge, and complete the course within a particular time. The fastest dog with a “clean” run wins!!

While speed is most important in competitions, even slower dogs and handlers enjoy the sport. Imagine a Mastiff or a Great Dane having to crouch down to crawl thru a tunnel or a tiny Chihuahua navigating a tall A-frame. Young dogs gain a lot of confidence learning the obstacles and older dogs often regain a pep in their step when they play agility.