Agility is an absolute blast, especially for the energetic duo of
dogs and their owners. It's a thrilling dance where
dogs learn to conquer all sorts of obstacles and
owners become masterful guides in navigating
their canine team mate safely and swiftly
through the course.
A word of caution though... once that
agility bug sinks its teeth into you and your
dog, there's no turning back!
Most of these photos were taken during
warm-ups or training. Dogs may wear
collars, harnesses or cooling vests at these
times - these are not permitted during
timed runs for safety reasons
© McKaynine Training Centre Est 1999
Starting Age
Gone are the days of waiting until your pup's all grown up
for agility training! Now, you can dive into safe foundation
work with those young ‘uns.
It's called flatwork, and it's all about teaching them
directions which helps them make better choices when
they are ready to work on adult equipment.
Plus, we sneak in a little taste of the agility equipment –
like low-grade stuff, say, flat dog walks, to keep it exciting!
Suitable Breeds
If your dog's got the fitness, health, and enthusiasm,
they're game for agility!
At our school, we're all about diversity. We've had all kinds
of breeds jumping into our agility classes, from pugs to
Great Danes and everything in between.
Who says agility's just for Border Collies?
Safety
Agility can be a bit of a physical game and there is a
potential risk of injury. But fear not! At McKaynine, we're all
about minimizing those risks.
We never push dogs too hard, make sure they're fit as a
fiddle and adjust obstacles based on their experience and
age. We're here for maximum fun, zero risks. Sometimes,
we even recommend K9 Yoga to up their strength and
lower the injury chances.
Equipment & Grounds
We've got the full kit – standard agility gear and nifty
training aids. Our equipment is regularly checked and
maintained, so your pup's safety is always on point.
Our training grounds are also all grassy, level and well-kept
to keep things safe and sound.
Competitions
No pressure to be the next agility champ! You're welcome
to enjoy our agility classes just for the social buzz with your
doggo.
But hey, if you're itching to compete, we've got you
covered. We often hit up shows together for a groovy fun
day out. Our focus isn't on winning, but we've had some
awesome results, with many dogs snagging top spots and
qualifications.
Instructors
Classes are run by Dene le Riche, our agility guru. She's not
just any trainer – she's a PetFit Pawsonal Trainer (Bronze),
so your pup's physical needs are in good hands. Plus, she's
a licensed agility judge with the Kennel Union of SA, so
you're always up-to-date with the latest agility know-how.
Assisting Dene is Cathryn Meyer, who's also a multi-
dogsport enthusiast. They're the dream team!