How to get started in Agility:

NATCH6, VNATCH5, AANATCH5, CATCH Maverick
Agility is a fun canine sport that can greatly strengthen the bond between you and your canine companion. However, to reduce the risk of injury and increase your chances of success, please keep the following tips in mind:
Before starting any agility class:
Starting in Agility:
Before starting any agility class:
- You and your dog should take at least one basic obedience class which teaches skills including: sit, down, come and stay (all with distractions), such as the Courteous Canines program offered by Pet Works.
- You and your dog should both be in good physical health; remember, this is a sport!
- You should come out to watch some trials and talk to competitors.
Starting in Agility:
- Visit your local training centers and choose the place that fits both you and your dogs needs. Look for a place that focuses on positive reinforcement training … you want your dog to think this is fun too!
- Consider taking a pre-agility or agility focus class, such as JumpStart offered by Pet Works. These classes will introduce you to agility equipment while focusing on the obedience skills required to make you and your canine a “team”.
- Don’t rush … Agility is fun and can quickly become addicting, but for your own good, don’t rush into the ring!
Upcoming Local NADAC Trials for 2025:
Jan 10-12: NADAC hosted by Up and Over Dog Sports at Premier Dog Sports
Jan 31-Feb 2: NADAC hosted by Four Seasons Agility at Premier Dog Sports, Lancaster NY
April 4-6: NADAC hosted by Four Seasons Agility at Premier Dog Sports, Lancaster NY
May 23-25: NADAC hosted by Four Seasons Agility at Akron Animal Hospital, Akron NY
June 20-22: NADAC hosted by Up & Over Dog Sports at the Fairgrounds in Hamburg NY
Jul 18-20: NADAC hosted by Up & Over Dog Sports at Premier Dog Sports, Lancaster NY
August 22-24: NADAC hosted by the Four Seasons Agility at Akron Animal Hospital, Akron NY
Sept 19-21: NADAC hosted by Up & Over Dog Sports at the Fairgrounds in Hamburg NY
Oct 10-12: NADAC hosted by Four Seasons Agility at Premier Dog Sports, Lancaster NY
Oct 31-Nov 2: NADAC hosted by Up & Over Dog Sports at Premier Dog Sports, Lancaster NY
For local AKC, CPE, UKI and USDAA trials, see their event listings at the websites listed below.
For More Information on Dog Agility:
Local Information:
Four Seasons Agility Club (NADAC)- www.fourseasonsagility.com
Up and Over Dog Sports (NADAC)- www.upandoverdogsports.weebly.com
National Organizations:
Canine Performance Events (CPE)- www.cpe.dog
North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC)- www.nadac.com
American Kennel Club (AKC)- www.akc.org
UKI International Agility- www.ukagilityinternational.com/
United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA)- www.usdaa.com
Resources: merchandise, magazines and books, and more!
Clean Run- www.cleanrun.com
Fido Fashions- local small business https://fidofashions.weebly.com/