Why Do You Do Dog Agility

To some of us this is a silly question to ask because the answer is so simple, or is it. There are as many answers to this question as there are people out their playing the game. Many if not most of us would answer, “Because it is so much fun with our dogs!” But there are also many that started because of the healing aspect of the game. Shy, unconfident, overweight, bored, trouble maker dogs have all transformed under the relationship building dog agility has to offer.

Then there are those that had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads and didn’t realize the amount of work, time and energy that goes into teaching a dog and yourself. Some have quit the game because they didn’t know they had to run with the dog and others that think dogs will use the equipment in the backyard on their own. They don’t understand it is ALL about teamwork.

However, kudos to them for facing reality and knowing what they want. It would be far more disastrous for them to continue and be unhappy, because dog agility is all about fun too. It is about having a sense of humor, being able to laugh at mistakes and not take life so serious. So if you are in the game and find it too much work, try a different venue with your dog like therapy.

Still others have gotten into dog agility just for the fun and have found it so addicting that they now compete, live, breath and eat dog agility. They find themselves replacing or adding to the pack with dogs that will excel in dog agility. This too is wonderful as long as the fun, humor and love perseveres over the competitiveness of competition.

So you see the question indeed is quite complex. The answer varied as much as every person involved in this great sport. And that is why it is so great. So be honest with yourself and your dog on why you are in dog agility and remember it is all about you and your dog not what others are doing. Remember WHY you do dog agility.