Dogged determination pays off in sport that's gaining popularity

[TribalRats]

By Liz Vargo The Record Herald
Published: Monday, February 5, 2007 9:58 AM CST

Eight-year-old dachshund Hershey, owned by Virginia Hengst (inset), has won several master’s titles in agility dog competitions.

GREENCASTLE - When Virginia Hengst of Greencastle retired as a physical education teacher 10 years ago, she didn't realize she'd be coaxing her next running partners with toys and doggie treats.

But Hengst said training her two dogs on agility courses couldn't be more rewarding.

“I taught phys ed. This is the closest thing I could do,” she said. “I love my dogs, and this is a team sport of two - me and the dog.”
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Both her 8-year-old dachshund Hershey and 5-year-old border collie Domino have spent years training for and running in agility competitions along the East Coast.

Dog agility competition is gaining popularity by leaps and bounds. With more participants, bigger sponsors and a variety of competitions, the sport has taken off just like its frenzied furry competitors.

The ‘ultimate game'

What began as an amusing demonstration during a 1978 British dog show has evolved into a highly competitive sport.

The American Kennel Club describes dog agility as “the ultimate game for you and your dog.” Timed obstacle courses require patience, communication and a strong team effort between dog and handler.

In the sport, a handler guides their dog through a series of jumps, hoops, tunnels, platforms and other challenges. Hengst found agility a natural progression for training her dogs after obedience classes.

Trainer Renee Nappier of Mason Dixon Kennel Club in Washington County Agricultural Center trained her first dog in 1989. She has been teaching various skill levels of obedience, agility and fly ball at the center for six years.

Many competitors comment the sport is fun, but she added it takes a lot of hard work.

“It is a physical activity and needs to be the right mix of dog and handler,” she said.

A running partner

Like Hengst, many handlers had active lives prior to exploring dog agility.

Nappier, formerly of Frederick, spent her life around dogs and sports. She said coached for years before her life “went to the dogs.”

Although just as challenging and time consuming as training a high school athlete, Nappier noted it can be more pleasant to work with man's best friend.

“I coached sports for years and got tired of ‘coach moms.'” Nappier said. “The dog doesn't know if it did well or not, it's just happy for the activity.”

Nappier has seen all personalities and skill levels of handlers and dogs in agility. Hengst, 69, has participated in courses with handlers from young athletes to senior citizens.

“I run with my dog. I probably had one of my fastest runs (at a recent competition),” Hengst said. “Anyone can do it. It takes commitment and training.”

K.C. Combs of Hagerstown actually started agility before she had her own dog. After watching the sport on Animal Planet, she borrowed a neighbor's Maltese for the event. Eventually, Combs rescued and trained Mattie, a 3-year-old Bichon Frise.

“When I got her, she didn't even know how to walk on a leash. Now she has several competition titles,” Combs said.

Hard work

It took about two years to prepare Hershey and Domino for competition, and Hengst said training is constant.

“You tend to think you've got it, but dogs have bad habits,” she said.

Her dachshund is not traditionally the breed to pursue a fast-paced obstacle course, but Hengst said Hershey has excelled.

Nappier said she is a “big fan” of training breeds that are not normally considered agility dogs. She and Hengst said agility handlers and dogs come in all shapes, sizes and skill levels.

Hengst said her two are like night and day - Hershey is “a naughty little boy” and Domino aims to please.

“Assuming we have a dog of sound spirit and sound temperament, it's do-able,” Nappier said.

Agility is like a fast-paced choreographed dance. Handlers usually run near their dogs, directing them with voice commands or body language. Hengst said it doesn't hurt to add treats at the finish.

"Dachshunds will do it for food at the end. Border collies will do it to please,” she said.

Border collies and other herding dogs are naturals at agility. Dogs like Hershey and Mattie take a bit more effort, Nappier said.

“There's not a whole lot of Bichons, but she's very confident now,” Combs said. “It's a team effort.”

Competition

Pennsylvania and Maryland are key places to train for agility, according to Nappier. Competitions are scheduled throughout the Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Richmond, Va., areas.

Hengst participates in up to 15 competitions annually with Hershey and Domino.

The most popular competitions are through the American Kennel Club. Teams train for accuracy and timing on two main courses - the standard class and jumper class. Newer classes, like rally, are gaining interest and include more playful, energetic maneuvers.

Dogs run according to classes by their shoulder height, Hengst said. They must complete a specific number of qualifying scores on each level course to advance and eventually run master courses. During competition, the handler cannot touch the unleashed dog or guide it with incentives.

Members of the Mason Dixon Kennel Club do team sports and often travel to competitions together. Nappier said competitions and training can be expensive, but are gaining in popularity.

Participants are generally more successful when they own a dog they love, not one they got just for competition, Nappier said.

“Find what you and your dog enjoy and do that, rather than jumping on the band wagon,” Nappier said. “That, to me, is not fun. A dog you cannot live with is not fun.”