Agility is a sport in which a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by overcoming different obstacles. In this sport, the handler is given a set amount of time to direct their dog off-leash around a course. There are rules regarding the types and measurements of each obstacle.
Below, four-month old California Karelians participated in the first of the Winter 2007 agility classes sponsored by John Rubin of JohnKnowsDogs.com. Pictured second from the left is Bill Bates, trainer for California Karelians, and right, Jamie Bauman, the trainer who taught the class that cold January morning.
As you will see from the slideshow, we start slowly, encouraging the puppies to jump onto a low table. Then, they progress to climbing an A-frame before jumping onto a larger table. They walk on a narrow bridge and learn the hurdles, then jump through a tire. The most challenging obstacles are the tunnels. So, we start with the short blue tunnel, progress to a longer yellow tunnel, eventually add a curve to the yellow tunnel, and finally, tackle the shoot. We treat the "training" as play for the puppies, who receive lots of encouragement and praise along the way. Many thanks to Scott Wulff who braved the record cold weather we had that weekend to take these photographs.
The next slideshow shows eight-month old California Karlians in agility training.
Agility 