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Dog Agility April 23, 2009
Dog agility began as an entertainment at horse shows. The sport was introduced into the United States in the 1980s and has grown into a popular activity for many dog owners. Some of the obstacles are; an a-frame, a teeter, an elevated dog walk platform, a collapsed tunnel, a regular tunnel, jumps, tire jump, and weave poles. There are many types of competitive events, some of these are; Standard/regular agility, Jumpers, Snakes n' ladders, Trigility (multi-dog relay event) and several other events. The preparation for a run starts with a walk through by owners first, and then owners and their dog. Dogs run in the order designated by the program.
Kim Clark brushed Tank before any scheduled dog agility events Saturday, April 18.
Pat Liddy's dog "Jake" runs through the obstacle course and makes it easy. Jake won in his class during the first day of the Dog Agility competition conducted at Payson Elementary school grounds, Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19.
Parkir weaved through this obstacle with ease.
Parkir may be small but that didn't mean he couldn't perform with style and grace, thanks to excellent training by owner Sue Roeder.
Cheyenne cleared this A-frame and skittered down the other side without missing a footfall.
Parker Weishaar warms up his golden retriever "Candy" before they make their run through the obstacle course during the second day of the Dog Agility competition. Weishaar is somewhat of a celebrity in his own right, as he has Asperger's syndrome, a form of Autism. His success since obtaining the dog has been the subject of several newspaper stories, and a television interview. Since obtaining Candy (four years ago) he has bonded with the dog and developed and grown as an individual through his contact with this golden retriever. The dog is an Assistance Dog received from North Star Foundation, which specializes in placing dogs with children with autism.
Parker Weishaar's golden retriever Candy jumped hurdles in style as Weishaar kept pace with her through the obstacle course.
Fozzy wizzed through this hoop so quickly there was barely time to focus on his performance, thanks to patient training by Emily Harris.
Tessa filled the ring as she jumped through it, guided by owner Gail Chadwick.
Sara followed Michelle Williams commands eagerly and raced through the course without a hitch.
Wendy Weishaar hung up some of the ribbons and awards Parker, and his golden retriever, Candy have won at other dog agility events.
Jane Burlison's dog "Tizzy" makes this jump with ease and playful intent as she races around the course.
Nitro stands at attention as seemingly strange people wander around the temporary dog agility complex at Payson Elementary School.
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