Hooper’s agility is a new dog sport suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes. Seniors also benefit from the new dog sport from America, since Hooper’s agility puts less strain on the joints than normal agility. You can find out everything about Hooper’s agility in this article.
What is Hooper’s Agility?
In Hoopers Agility, dogs and humans complete an obstacle course made up of various tunnels, barrels, and hoops. The diameters of the hoops and gates are adapted to the size of the dog so that dogs with age-related limitations can also run through the course. It is not necessary to buckle the hind legs when running through the tunnels and other obstacles.
Unlike normal agility training, the person does not run with the dog. He guides the dog through the course from a distance with the help of signals. Word signals and visual signals can be used as signals.
In order for the dog to be able to complete the obstacle course without making any mistakes, the human-animal team must be well attuned to each other.
What is Hooper’s Agility?
Hooper’s agility is an American-developed dog sport in which the dogs run through an obstacle course. The signals are given from a distance. The dog owner does not walk next to the dog.
How does Hooper’s Agility work?
Before the first run, the dog needs to warm up and stretch its muscles. The dog owner must know the course exactly so that he can guide his dog safely. A prerequisite for the run is that the dog masters the signals without errors. If visual signals are still used at the beginning, these are later replaced by acoustic signals. In this way, the dog can concentrate on the course and does not always have to look at the dog owner who is standing in the distance.
In order for the signals to be transmitted correctly, the dog owner’s body language must be clear. Perfect control at a distance is only possible if the signals are easy to read.
Hooper’s agility cares about people and dogs
The new dog sport takes the health of the dog and its owner perfectly into consideration. The dog owner does not have to walk with his dog and therefore requires less fitness. The dog does not necessarily have to jump. When setting up the obstacle course is adapted to the needs of the dog. It can be made wider or narrower.
The goal is a complete run through the course. Time is not measured.
Why is Hooper’s Agility useful for the dog?
Hooper’s agility strengthens the bond between the dog and its owner. The four-legged friend is physically and mentally challenged by the obstacle course, which he only has to go through with support from afar.
Physical exertion
In Hoopers Agility, the obstacle course consists of barrels for the dog to run around, gates, tunnels, and hoops. Slalom elements can also be inserted. The four-legged friend has to overcome the obstacles according to the commands of the owner. Although it is possible for the dog to run slowly, most dogs complete the course at high speeds.
By turning and passing gates and hoops, the dog trains its muscles and joints. The joints remain supple through the movements. The articular cartilage is not degraded as quickly. Since there are no jumps or overcoming high obstacles in the course, the joints, especially of older dogs, are not stressed. A slalom is always stretched so far that the dog can run through it without too tight turns and stops.
Crawling and running through tunnels and gates trains the dog’s balance. The four-legged friend learns to coordinate his movements and to keep his balance perfectly, even on different ground surfaces.
Mental workload
Unlike conventional agility, the dog has to master the obstacle course alone. He receives commands from his owner and has to follow them from a distance. This has a positive effect on the dog’s concentration. New nerve connections are built up through the exercises. Independent thinking and problem-solving behavior are encouraged.
The four-legged friend learns to pay attention to his owner even if he is not in his immediate vicinity. This deepens the bond between the two. Trust is strengthened as the dog learns to rely on its owner’s commands.
Why is Hooper’s Agility useful for the dog?
Dog sport strengthens the bond and the sense of togetherness between humans and dogs. The dog is physically and mentally exhausted through the training without being overwhelmed.
Typical course and exercises in Hooper’s Agility
The course consists of gates, fences, barrels, barrels, hoops, arches, and tunnels. The number of obstacles and the distance between them depends on the skills of the dog and its owner. Once the dog is brought to the starting point, the owner goes to his own area. He may not leave this during the run through the course. The guidance takes place exclusively through acoustic commands, the body language of the owner, and other visual signals.
The obstacles used are already familiar to the dog from previous agility courses. The only difference for the dog is that the owner is not in his immediate vicinity.
Exercise of the Paths of Discrimination
For this exercise, the dog must master all directional signals. The hoops are first set up in a line and in the extended exercise also in arc sequences. Guided by the signals, the dog runs through the first hoop sequence. The dog owner uses his body language to release another sequence of arcs to the side of the original arcs. The dog is repeatedly steered forward and to the side.
If the dog masters the course, additional obstacles in the form of barrels and tunnels are installed.
Signals at Hooper’s Agility
The dog should train the following signals before the first course:
“Away”: the dog must move away from its owner
“Outside”: the dog runs around the obstacles
“Rum”: The dog runs to an obstacle that is behind the owner and crosses it
“Forward, Run, Go”: Obstacles in a straight line must be overcome
“Zuzuzu”: the dog runs to the handler
“Lilili”: run to the left
“Rerere”: run to the right
The individual signals can be combined with one another as desired.
Role of signals
The signals tell the dog in which order it should pass the individual obstacles. The dog can concentrate on the obstacles while running and follow the acoustic signals of its owner. The signals act as a leash between dog and owner. They are a direct connection even when there is no physical contact.
The right guidance system
The guidance system used by the human-canine team at Hoopers Agility varies from person to person and must be adapted to the dog’s abilities.
Hooper’s E-Motion: The signals left, right, straight ahead are trained with two pylons. The dog learns to turn, turns sideways, and walks straight.
Navigating your dog consists of device signals and direction signals. With these signals, the dog can run through the course without having to concentrate on the guideline. The signals are always an advance notice of a change of direction.
Easy distance is simple communication between man and dog. The change in body language can also be interpreted by the dog from a great distance. The exchange of information works smoothly.
The individual elements of the various guide systems can be combined with one another.
What Dogs Are Suitable for Hooper’s Agility?
Hooper’s Agility is suitable for all dogs that have mastered the most important basic commands. Senior dogs in particular can practice dog sports well, as speed is not important. No jumps are integrated into the course that could put too much strain on the joints.
What Dogs Are Suitable for Hooper’s Agility?
Hooper’s Agility is suitable for all dogs that enjoy exercise and working together with their owner. The dog sport is very well suited for dogs that used to practice agility. But also every beginner can start with the dog sport.
Which dogs are particularly suitable?
Hooper’s Agility is suitable for any dog. Dog sport is particularly suitable for dogs whose movements are already restricted or older. The course is always adapted to the needs of the dog. Speed is not important. The aim is to go through the course and have fun with the exercises.
The dog sport is specially designed for senior dogs who can no longer complete high jumps due to joint damage. Seniors can thus fully enjoy the fun of exercise again without being overwhelmed.
When can you start Hooper’s Agility?
Any dog that has mastered the basic commands can begin training the signals for Hooper’s agility. Once the dog has learned the signals, it is possible to go through the first obstacle course. The dog should know the basic commands stay, run, forward, left, right and come.
What do you have to fulfill as a dog owner?
Hooper’s Agility is also suitable for dog owners with physical disabilities. The dog only has to be brought to the starting zone. The dog owner then stays in a previously defined zone, which must not be left while the dog is running,
Do you have to be physically fit?
Physical fitness is not absolutely necessary, as the dog owner does not accompany his four-legged friend on the run. The orders are given from a distance. The dog completes the course alone.
What should the bond with the dog be like?
In order for the communication between the four-legged friend and his human to work well, the dog must have built up trust. Commands from a distance are only necessary with a stable relationship. The hierarchy is clear and the dog likes to obey the commands of its owner.
When do you start Hooper’s Agility?
Any dog can start Hooper’s Agility once they have mastered basic commands and directional cues. Dog sports can be practiced by young dogs as well as senior dogs.
Tips to get you started: How to teach your dog Hooper’s Agility
In the beginning, the dog only performs simple exercises. This includes running through a hoop, or going through a tunnel. Over time, the dog learns to go through several obstacles in a fixed order.
In order for the obstacles to be passed correctly, the dog must master all the commands for changing direction. The four-legged friend can read the body language of its owner and knows exactly which obstacle to approach next.
Where can you practice Hooper’s Agility?
The dog sport can be completed on dog sports fields, in dog schools or with a dog trainer. If the dog is already familiar with the dog sport, it can be trained on any level terrain on which the obstacles may be set up.
Requirements for the perfect start: course and terrain
So that the dogs do not injure themselves by tripping, the ground of the area must be level. The course is laid out extensively so that the four-legged friend does not have to make any tight turns that strain the joints. A large property that is fenced in for the safety of the dogs is well suited.
What obstacles/devices are needed?
No expensive equipment is required for Hooper’s Agility. The obstacles consist of barrels around which the dog should run. For a slalom, individual poles are stuck into the ground in a straight or curved sequence. Gates form fences that the dog must run around or climb over. Hoops are arches that are stuck into the ground. The dog can walk through the hoops or manage them on the right or left side. Dogs must go through tunnels. The size of the tunnel is adapted to the size and age of the dog. Older dogs should walk upright through the tunnel to avoid straining their legs from crawling.
Which terrain is best?
Any flat terrain large enough to set up a course is suitable for Hooper’s agility. The area should be as free as possible and not overgrown by bushes. The dog must be able to hear and, if possible, see its owner at all times without any problems.
Is my dog suitable for Hooper’s Agility?
Dogs that practice dog sports should enjoy exercise. If there is pain due to an illness, the dog is not suitable for dog sports. Puppies can’t concentrate for very long, nor can they learn basic commands. These must first be trained before the dog can master a course.
Even deaf dogs can practice Hooper’s agility. In this case, the signals are conveyed through hand signals and body language.
