We run classes on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays. These are mainly agility classes but there are also puppy games classes and Hoopers. One to one sessions are also available on days or times to suit.
At Phase Purple we are passionate about all things to do with dogs. Agility is our main activity. Faye is an Accredited Canine Hoopers UK trainer, runs most of the training sessions and has 15 years experience. The training we do is positive reward based training and the main aim is for both dogs and handlers to have fun whether you are training for something to do with your dog or want to compete.
Agility can become a real addiction. It’s fun, friendly and keeps you and your dog in tip-top shape. Most people’s first view of agility comes from the coverage of Crufts each year and the agility competitions held in December in conjunction with Olympia Horse Show. However, there are more than 300 licensed agility shows held annually, not to mention the numerous special sponsored events which take place nationwide.
Dog agility is an activity in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off lead with no food or toys as incentives (in competition), and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles. Consequently, the handler’s controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the dog and coordination of the handler.
In its simplest form, an agility course consists of a set of standard obstacles laid out by a judge in a design of his or her own choosing in an area of a specified size. The surface may be of grass, dirt, rubber, or special matting. Depending on the type of competition, the obstacles may be marked with numbers indicating the order in which they must be completed.
Courses are complicated enough that a dog could not complete them correctly without human direction. In competition, the handler must assess the course, decide on handling strategies, and direct the dog through the course, with precision and speed equally important. Many strategies exist to compensate for the inherent difference in human and dog speeds and the strengths and weaknesses of the various dogs and handlers.
Agility Shows are fun competitions designed for the enjoyment of competitors, and to appeal to spectators. All sorts of dogs can take part.
Preparing your dog to be able to compete successfully will take a little longer than the formal requirements. It is essential that your dog is fully socialised and that you have effective control at all times, especially as your dog will be competing off-lead. For safety’s sake it is recommended that dogs do not start training until they are at least 10 months.
Plenty of regular practice at home is essential preparation for agility competitions, but supervised training at an agility class is really important so that you are taught safe methods.
Canine Hoopers UK was formed in 2017 to provide UK handlers and their dogs with a fun, fast, low-impact sport. Clubs, societies and individuals are able to host Canine Hoopers UK shows/competitions/Instructor’s courses. Canine Hoopers UK strives to protect the long-term well-being of the dog by maintaining flowing courses of low impact obstacles. Canine Hoopers UK aims to be an inclusive dog sport making sure that this sport is accessible to all dogs and handlers, in particular those handlers with limited mobility.
Canine Hoopers UK also strives to promote only force free modern training techniques through the assessment and accreditation of Canine Hoopers UK Accredited Trainer Scheme.
Accredited Canine Hoopers UK Trainers will have been thoroughly assessed and only accredited to Canine Hoopers UK once instruction is at a high standard. We are committed to making sure that all Canine Hoopers UK Accredited Trainers are teaching to a high standard and that they are using modern force free training techniques.
The purpose of the Canine Hoopers UK competitions are to enable competitors to showcase their abilities, focusing on the partnership between dog and handler. Hoopers courses will be fast and flowing and can include bonus challenges. Watch the video below to see just how much fun Canine Hoopers UK is!
