Hoopers is a relatively new, low-impact canine sport that also builds the relationship between a handler and their dog. Dogs navigate a ground level course of hoops, tunnels and barrels and there are no jumps, weaves, contact equipment (A-frame, dog-walk or seesaw) or the tight twisting turns that will be found in dog agility. Hoopers courses are free flowing and ideal for dogs of all kinds from puppies of 8 months upwards to senior dogs as it puts less strain on their joints than agility. Hoopers courses are designed so that dogs can negotiate them at a distance from the handler and is another great way to provide your dog with exercise, fun and mental stimulation; most dogs just love to run! Conversely, it is not always necessary for the handler to run in hoopers making it an option for people with disabilities or those unable to run. For those interested in competition, Dogs can start competing in hoopers at 15 months of age, whereas dogs must be 18 months old to take part in dog agility, because of the stress caused to young joints from jumping and weaving. Skills learned from agility and even trick work (spins, twists, lefts and rights) are equally transferable to hoopers.
For dogs and Members new to Hoopers, the Island Dog Training Club (the Club) offers Pre-Agility and Hoopers Foundation Classes at 7pm on Thursday evenings. The Classes (badged “A” for Agility and “H” for Hoopers) will be held on alternate Thursdays (“A” one week and “H” the next) and are open to dogs from 10 months old. The Classes will be held in the IDTC Clubroom at Collings Road in St Peter Port. The H Classes are designed to introduce dogs and handlers to the skills needed for Hoopers and will introduce the basic equipment in a safe and friendly environment. The Classes will also build on the very basic obedience skills that may have been covered in other classes as experience has shown that without these solid foundations our dogs are going to have little interest in hoops, gates or tunnels! This will include wait, middle, recall, attention to name, hand touches, collar grab, spins and twist, leg weaves, toy drive and handling skills to navigate a course of Hoopers obstacles at a basic level. Progression may be made from these Classes to those held at the Club’s outdoor venue at the at the Friquet Garden Centre. For further information or to book a place in the Classes (as numbers are limited) please use this link: Book a Course. If no courses are currently listed, please use the form on our Contact page to register interest.