Page 83 - K9 News - Issue 15 - March2021

with, and use pop up bins and cones in lieu
of barrels. It has really helped me with my
handling when translated across to running
agility exercises, as we have worked on verbal
cues and distance, and teaching them to work
away from me with drive.

Dot has taken her foundation, and I hope to
be able to complete this with Reeva soon, and
move onto the bronze with both girls. I don’t
to continue around the barrel and not dodging
think we will ever compete, but never say never,
through the gap. This can then build up to
it could be something we move across to as
helping us with our direction cues, as we build in
they get older.
front and rear crosses around the barrels.
It’s an ideal start for young dogs, when they are
Once both these exercises are well established
not old enough to have a go at agility, but many
the barrel and hoops can be added together to
skills can be transferred across.
make exercises.
For more information check out Canine Hoopers
Hoopers tunnels are taller and can be shorter
UK, which will list local instructors and groups.
in length than those used in agility so are a lot
Putting canine hoopers into YouTube will also
more inviting and friendlier for taller dogs. The
bring up many videos which will give an idea
final piece of equipment is the Touch and Go
what it is all about. Add Hayley Laches (Taming
MST, which is known as TanGo. The dog is
Canines) into the search and you will see some
required to run straight across this.
stunning handling including her remote agility
runs.
Various competitions are starting to pop
up around the country, and these have
hoopers, barrellers and TanGo competitions.
Competitions have courses that are free flowing
and may incorporate ‘bonus lines’ or boxes
where the handler stands, and will automatically
add to the final score, meaning if you are able
to distance you could increase your score with
perhaps a slower dog, over a handler that has
a fast dog but has to support them more around
the course. Progress is based on consistency
as opposed to class wins, so a really level
playing field for all.

Canine Hoopers UK run hoopers awards,
which are assessed by instructors and start at
foundation level and go to Gold. There are
also online awards, which can be taken and
assessed via sending in videos and without
using hoopers equipment.

Both my girls have been having a go, and I was
able to make myself some hoops to practice

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MARCH 2021