members thoughts
We decided it would be nice to ask our members about their thoughts on agility and share them on this page. Everyone has different reasons for taking up this fun hobby, some take it more serious than others, but they all enjoy working with their dogs. Thank you to all those that supplied their input.
JO & DEXTER
My dog Dexter (a Border Collie) and I attended our first agility training class on Monday 8 July 2013 when Dexter was 20 months old. We had been to the MJS Open Day the previous year on Sunday 22 July and tried out the “Have A Go Agility”. I decided then that perhaps this was something that Dexter and I would enjoy and after our first training class we were hooked!
Mike and Julie are lovely people and excellent trainers - patient (very important!) and kind. They are always happy to pass on their knowledge and expertise about dog related issues (not just agility) because, even if you have been a dog owner for many years, there is always something new to learn or a tip to pick up.
You don’t need much in the way of equipment to go to agility training - a dog (very important!), suitable footwear and clothing for all weathers. Training is very rarely cancelled, only if is too hot or too slippery underfoot due to rain. Most people are prepared to wrap up against the cold for the love of agility.
Dexter gets very excited when he sees me putting on my “agility shoes” - he knows where we are going. He seems to enjoy the challenge of agility as much as I do and it gives both him and me a good work out - no need for me to go to the gym! It can be frustrating when things don’t go well as you hope, but when things do go well the sense of achievement is absolutely fantastic.
Besides the actual agility training, Dexter and I meet lots of other lovely dogs and their owners. There are also events through the year (Club Competitions, Workshops, etc.) and a Christmas Social for the humans which includes a raffle the proceeds from which go to a dog charity. So, there is also a lovely social side to dog agility.
JO & DEXTER
My dog Dexter (a Border Collie) and I attended our first agility training class on Monday 8 July 2013 when Dexter was 20 months old. We had been to the MJS Open Day the previous year on Sunday 22 July and tried out the “Have A Go Agility”. I decided then that perhaps this was something that Dexter and I would enjoy and after our first training class we were hooked!
Mike and Julie are lovely people and excellent trainers - patient (very important!) and kind. They are always happy to pass on their knowledge and expertise about dog related issues (not just agility) because, even if you have been a dog owner for many years, there is always something new to learn or a tip to pick up.
You don’t need much in the way of equipment to go to agility training - a dog (very important!), suitable footwear and clothing for all weathers. Training is very rarely cancelled, only if is too hot or too slippery underfoot due to rain. Most people are prepared to wrap up against the cold for the love of agility.
Dexter gets very excited when he sees me putting on my “agility shoes” - he knows where we are going. He seems to enjoy the challenge of agility as much as I do and it gives both him and me a good work out - no need for me to go to the gym! It can be frustrating when things don’t go well as you hope, but when things do go well the sense of achievement is absolutely fantastic.
Besides the actual agility training, Dexter and I meet lots of other lovely dogs and their owners. There are also events through the year (Club Competitions, Workshops, etc.) and a Christmas Social for the humans which includes a raffle the proceeds from which go to a dog charity. So, there is also a lovely social side to dog agility.
Nicki with Dudley, Hattie & Gracie
What agility means to me is gaining an even closer bond with my best buddies, having fun, meeting lovely like minded kind people, learning better techniques from lovely enthusiastic knowledgeable trainers, all in fresh air. 😊
Pat with Gemma & Blue
What does agility do for me - it gives me the opportunity to bond with my dogs and for my dogs to get to know and trust me. I get the pleasure of watching my rescue, reactive dog thoroughly enjoying himself - he has his own special party just for him every time. It's amazing to see the change and excitement in him when he is running a course and the fact that he now plays is such an added bonus. I also get the pleasure of watching my old girl still enjoy herself doing what she loves. I like watching other people training their dogs and enjoy the chat too. Its such a supportive, friendly environment.
What does agility do for me - it gives me the opportunity to bond with my dogs and for my dogs to get to know and trust me. I get the pleasure of watching my rescue, reactive dog thoroughly enjoying himself - he has his own special party just for him every time. It's amazing to see the change and excitement in him when he is running a course and the fact that he now plays is such an added bonus. I also get the pleasure of watching my old girl still enjoy herself doing what she loves. I like watching other people training their dogs and enjoy the chat too. Its such a supportive, friendly environment.
Julia & Betsy
What agility means to me - to spend time with like minded people who love dogs and support each other through the ups and downs of their training. Agility is good for both your body and mind we laugh every week at the antics of our pooches. The time and patience that Mike and Julie put in with everyone in the club is amazing 💕🐶
What agility means to me - to spend time with like minded people who love dogs and support each other through the ups and downs of their training. Agility is good for both your body and mind we laugh every week at the antics of our pooches. The time and patience that Mike and Julie put in with everyone in the club is amazing 💕🐶