Who can do agility or flygility?
There is a common misconception that you have to be fit to compete in sports with your dog. In fact people of all ages can compete successfully in - there's a lot of grey hair and pot-bellies, and also many successful school-age competitors at dog competitions!
Training for agility, flyball or flygility is a fun way for new dog owners to
bond with their dog and learn a bit of control over
them.
To me, seeing boxers in performance events is a wonderful
reflection on the conformation, working ability, and
temperament of the breed. Boxers are well suited to dog sports. They are athletic and active dogs that enjoy the mental stimulation.
Around this page are photos of various Australasian boxers enjoying agility - mouse over the photo for details of the dog and owner.
I have competed successfully with Boxers in obedience, agility and flygility. I have also instructed in all those disciplines at all breeds training clubs. On this page I give some information about agility training. You'll also find some basic training hints on my Obedience page. Flygility is another great sport - one I like particularly because it leaves it up to the dog to do all the work meaning the handler can't enhance or detract from the dog's performance so easily as in other events. Flygility is also a great way to improve the control you have over our dog at a distance and also their confidence and speed for other events. I've written some training notes on flygility and made them availabe on the web in PDF format on my Distance Control / Flygility page.
I got the agility bug in the 1970s when I watched my mother training her boxers for utility trials. We had a borrowed long jump and scale jump in our back yard and the dogs and I both found that equipment far more interesting than heelwork, stays, recall, and retrieves that had previously dominated the backyard training sessions.
I first dabbled in agility for myself when I trained Freddy in agility in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, Freddy's cruxiate ligament injury meant we only had a few short months of serious agility work, yet throughout her life she remembered all the equipment and commands and would merrily atempt a course given a chance.
Kiri and Rosie have been the main agility dogs in the family, with some of Rosie's pups also starting to compete with their owners. (SEE BELOW FOR DETAILLED LIST OF KIRI AND ROSIE'S AGILITY ACHIEVEMENTS)
Kiri was a consistent performer - usually bringing home a handful of clear rounds and ribbons from every weekend of competition. As she aged she got a little bored with agility - been there, done that, and so I retired her in 2006 when she was 9 years old. Since July 2002, Kiri had won out of Starters, won out of Novice, and earned her Agility Dog Excellent (ADX), ADX Advanced Bronze, and ADX Advanced Silver titles. She is one of only of small number of Boxers to have earned the right to compete in Senior level competition and in 2003 she won a first place at that level and an Agility Challenge Certificate.
Rosie is a bit of a live wire, so competing in agility has been exciting with her - she would either be switched on and firing or not with me at all - literally (had been known to go out and look for her squeaky toy halfway round the course)! I don't get to a large number of events, but Rosie has picked up an impressive number of placings and certainly gave the border collies a run for their money in the past! The highlight of Rosie's career so far would be the 2008 Canberra Royal where she won two 1st placings & two 2nd placings in the JDX and ADX events, a 3rd place in Strategic Pairs, and a qualie in Open Agility - we brought home a carload of prizes that weekend!
Interested in doing agility with your boxer?
The best place to start is with your local obedience club. Basic obedience is important. When you're ready to move on to training in agility, your obedience club may run agility classes too or will be able to tell you where agility classes are held in your area.
You shouldn't teach full height elevated equipment or do full height jumps until your dog is 18 months old. It is not worth risking injuring your growing dog. There are plenty of things you can work on while waiting, such as the tunnels, weave poles, pause box etc. You can also do low height jumps and obstacles.
I apply the same philosophy to agility as to obedience training: make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for the dog to do what you want. That means taking things one step at a time and not trying to run before you can walk.
Keep in mind that a Boxer is not a Border Collie - they have very different approaches to 'working'. If your Boxer seems slow or distracted, it isn't because it's stupid or stubborn. It could be due to many causes...
it may be picking up on confusing signals from you - Boxers are good at noticing inconsistencies in your body language/commands;
it may not yet be sure enough of the obstacles and how to run them in combination;
it may need to gain more confidence at working in different venues and on different clubs' gear;
it may be bored or distracted and needs to be helped to really enjoy the agility through more positive training methods;
...but do rule out physical causes for any reluctance your dog shows for completing an agility course at speed (I know of one boxer, accused of being stubborn and naughty for being slow or refusing jumps, who in fact had a serious back problem and was in pain!).
Things to avoid when doing agility with a Boxer Here are some ideas I wrote to someone who had emailed and asked if I had any boxer-specific agility tips:
BOREDOM: Over training, too much repetition, and they can
loose drive.
Some breeds seem to need a lot of
practice and repetition of the same exercise. I find my boxers need far less. Variety is the key I guess - keep training interesting rather than doing the same thing over and over.
NEGATIVITY: Some handlers are too firm on their
Boxers, barking commands at them and getting angry if
the dog doesn't do things right. While some Boxers
are stubborn and naughty, a stern approach will only
make them slower in agility. Basically, the sterner
you get, the slower they go. They need to be
positvely motivated - doing it for fun, not because
you're ordering them to.
ANXIETY: Boxers are smart and keen to please. If
they sense they've done wrong (and they are very
perceptive), they can get anxious about it. This
happens often on agility courses and is why you see
some Boxers switch off part way round a course. For
example, handler error (eg a late command) can put the
dog off.
You have to keep in mind that if the dog makes a
mistake it's *always* the handler's fault (you either
haven't trained or handled the dog as well as you
needed to)
The problem is that we often send signals of being
disappointed or confused and our boxers pick up on
that and switch off. So, very important to never let
disappointment show through body language/voice.
I tend to put off my dogs because I get annoyed
at myself for my errors and they pick up on that
and think they've done wrong so get confused about
what was the right thing to do. I try to make sure I
have the same happy demeanour regardless of whether
I've just stuffed up a course completely and I if I praise
and reassure even when we do the wrong course the dog does better.
You'll very often notice inexperienced dogs going
loopy running round the ring or even out of the ring.
If you watch closely, this is usually a result of
anxiety or uncertainty. It usually happens when a
course takes a corner, or the next obstacle isn't
obvious from the dog's view, or the handler gives a
late command. The dog doesn't know what to do next so
is confused and gives up. So what looks like
naughtiness is often anxiety. The way to get them
back on course is through clear commands and
reassurance.
There are a few sites relating to agility that I recommend especially for boxer people (note that I have a longer list of great agility sites on my links page so check those out too):
NALA Home Page - The NZ National Agility Link Association Home Page. This is a great organisation to join. There are monthly competitions and a magazine. 'Link' is a very convenient and relaxed way to compete in agility - you know the courses in advance, you know the venue and don't have to travel far.
AgilityBoxer.Com - this is a fantastic site. Lots of great articles and photos.
AgileBoxers a Yahoo discussion group for people competing in agility with boxers.
Apex Boxers Achievements in Agility Kiri and Rosie have done pretty well in all breeds agility competitions considering I don't attend events regularly. I present their achievements below, partly to boast (and it is something to be proud of!) and partly to show that it IS possible for Boxers to beat other breeds in open competition - all these results are from all breeds events, and we're often the only boxers there! In results below, top three placings appear in red.
Videos are of Rosie in the Excellent Agility classes at the Canberra Royal 2008 - she won the class on the left and placed 2nd in the one on the right.
CLEAR ROUNDS & other results for Rosie – Apex Lady in Red ADX JDX GD SPD AAD BAAD (Her mother Kiri's results follow below).
Jul 2003-2nd place 0/35.53 (SCT45s 130m)-Starters-Otago CTC-Championship event
Oct 2003-First Boxer in the world to complete the Clean Run-Ultimate Weave Pole Challenge
Feb 2004-3rd place 0/52.47 (SCT60s 161m)-Novice-Otago CTC-Ribbon Trial
Feb 2004-2nd place -Novice-Masters Games
Apr 2004-4th place 0/40.25 (SCT52s 141m)-Novice-Otago CTC-Ribbon Trial
May 2004-9th place 0/42.97 (SCT52s 124m)-Starters-Taieri CTC-Championship event
Jul 2004-4th place 0/56.30 (SCT62s 165m)-Novice-Otago CTC-Ribbon Trial
Jul 2004-4th place 0/35.82 (SCT48s 120m)-Starters-Otago CTC-Championship event
Oct 2004-2nd place 0/33.020 (SCT52s 125m)-Starters-Otago CTC-Championship event
Nov 2004-2nd place 0/41.35 (SCT60s 147m)-Novice-Otago CTC-Ribbon Trial
May 2005-3rd place 0/40.551 (SCT48s 121m)-Novice-Taieri CTC-Championship event
Jul 2005-6th Place 0/38.810 (SCT45s 120m)-Novice-Otago CTC-Championship event
Jul 2005-2nd place 0/30.837 (SCT50s 135m)-Starters-Otago CTC-Championship event
Aug 2005-2nd place 0/29.13 (SCT60s 126m)-Starters-Southland DTC-Championship event
Aug 2005-9th place 0/30.88 (SCT46s 105m)-Starters-South Canterbury DTC-Championship event
Apr 2006-5th place 0/47.087 (SCT56s 137m)-Novice-Otago CTC-Championship event
Apr 2006-4th place 0/41.986 (SCT52s 138m)-Starters-Otago CTC-Championship event
Jun 2006-1st place 0/40.84 (SCT55s 83m)-Novice-Otago CTC-Ribbon Trial
Jul 2006-2nd place 0/29.596s (SCT50 121m) -Starters-Otago CTC-Championship event
Jul 2006-6th place 0/33.048 (SCT68s 134m)-Starters-Otago CTC-Championship event
Aug 2006-3rd place 0/28.787 (SCT42s 98m)-Starters-Southland DTC-Championship event
Aug 2006-4th place 0/38.332 (sct46s 128m)-Starters-Southland DTC-Championship event
Aug 2006-2nd 0/35.188 (SCT55s 137m)-Novice-South Canterbury DTC-Championship event
Aug 2006-1st place 0/30.959 (SCT50s 121m)-Starters-South Canterbury DTC-Championship event
Sep 2006-3rd place 0/31.482 (SCT50s 134m)-Starters-Taieri CTC-Championship event
Sep 2006-3rd place 0/42.659 (SCT44s 126m)-Novice-Taieri CTC-Championship event
Sep 2006-6th place 0/36.189 (SCT45s 112m)-Starters-Taieri CTC-Championship event
Sep 2006-6th place 0/34.135 (SCT50s 130m)-Starters-Taieri CTC-Championship event
Oct 2006-22nd from 108 dogs 0/35.145 (SCT44s 125m)-National Dog Training Assembly-Championship event
Oct 2006-26th from 118 dogs 0/37.980 (SCT55s 140m)-National Dog Training Assembly-Championship event
Oct 2006-19th from 149 dogs 0/37.470 (SCT50s 140m)-National Dog Training Assembly-Championship event
Oct 2006-24th from 118 dogs 0/34.452 (SCT46s 125m)-National Dog Training Assembly-Championship event
Oct 2006-RUNNER UP-Beginners Individual-Southern Flygility Group NZFDA tournament
Oct 2006-SEMI FINALIST-Open Individual-Southern Flygility Group NZFDA tournament
Nov 2006-1st place 0/34.070 (SCT52S 136m)-Novice-Southland DTC-Ribbon Trial
Nov 2006-RUNNER UP-Intermediate-Southern Flygility Group NZFDA tournament
Nov 2006-1st place 0/28.268 (121m)-Senator Class-National Agility Competition Regional Heat
Nov 2006-3rd place 0/39.451 (SCT54s 137m)-Novice-South Canterbury DTC-Championship event
Nov 2006-2nd place 0/32.029 (SCT50s 135m)-Starters-South Canterbury DTC-Championship event
Nov 2006-1st place 0/32.642 (SCT60s 136m)-Starters-Southland DTC-Championship event
Nov 2006-1st place 0/33.951 (SCT55s 133m)-Novice-Southland DTC-Championship event
Nov 2006-1st place 0/27.419 (SCT60s 117m)-Starters-Southland DTC-Championship event
Jun 2007-2nd place -Combined Elementary Agility-Kioloa ADAA event
Jun 2007-2nd place -Intermediate Agility-Kioloa ADAA event
Jun 2007-1st place -Combined Elementary Agility-Kioloa ADAA event
Jun 2007-2nd place -Combined Starters Agility-Kioloa ADAA event
Jun 2007-1st place -Intermediate Agility-Kioloa ADAA event
Jul 2007-3rd place -Combined Starters Agility-P.I.C.S.I-ADAA event
Jul 2007-1st place -Combined Starters Jumpers-P.I.C.S.I-ADAA event
Jul 2007-2nd-Combined Elementary Jumping-P.I.C.S.I-ADAA event
Jul 2007-3rd place -Combined Elementary Jumpers-P.I.C.S.I-ADAA event
Jul 2007-3rd place (from 50 dogs) 0/34.3 (SCT 43s)& qualifying cert-Novice Jumpers-ADCNSW-ANKC all breeds event
Jul 2007-3rd place (from 70 dogs) 0/46.83 (SCT 69s) & qualifying cert-Novice Agility-ADCNSW-ANKC all breeds event
Jul 2007-9th place (from 60 dogs) 0/46.21 (SCT 69s) & qualifying cert-Novice Agility-Deer Bush DTC-ANKC all breeds event
Aug 2007-Rosie awarded Agility Dog Assoc of Australia title: BAAD
Aug 2007-Rosie awarded Agility Dog Assoc of Australia title: AAD
Sep 2007-3rd place (from 34 dogs) 0/43.23 (SCT 67s) & qualifying cert-Novice Agility-Sutherland Shire DTC-ANKC all breeds event
Sep 2007-Rosie earns her first Australian National Kennel Council title: AD
Sep 2007-2nd place 0/21.21 (SCT 35s) & qualifying cert-Novice Jumping-Sutherland Shire DTC-ANKC all breeds event
Nov 2007-6th place 0/23.49 (SCT 35s) & qualifying cert-Novice Jumping-NSW Spring Fair-ANKC all breeds event
Sep 2007-Rosie earns Australian National Kennel Council title: JD
Nov 2007-3rd place 0/55.29 (SCT 63s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Agility-NSW Spring Fair-ANKC all breeds event
Jan 2008-2nd place 0/23.75 (SCT 32s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Jumping-Hawkesbury DAC-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-9th place 0/31.40 (SCT 36s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Jumping-Dogs NSW Agility Cmte-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-5th place 0/27.70 (SCT 38s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Jumping-Hawkesbury DAC-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-2nd place 0/29.714 (SCT 35s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Jumping-ACT CDC-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-2nd place 0/57.92 (SCT 70s; with Greg Collins & Ag Ch Kellie) & qualifying cert-Novice Strategic Pairs-ACT CDC-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-1st place 0/30.86 (SCT 34s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Jumpers-Canberra Royal Show-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-Rosie now eligible for her ANKC Excellent Jumping Title (JDX)
Feb 2008-2nd place 0/49.71 (SCT 65s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Agility-Canberra Royal Show-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-2nd place 0/29.6 (SCT 35s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Jumpers-Canberra Royal Show-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-1st place 0/47.56 (SCT 56s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Agility-Canberra Royal Show-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-8th place 56.52, 42pts & qualifying cert-Novice Gamblers-Canberra Royal Show-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-11th 0/40.25 (SCT 51s) & qualifying cert-Open Agility-Canberra Royal Show-ANKC all breeds event
Feb 2008-3rd Place (with Jo Ford & 'Cilla')-Novice Strategic Pairs-Canberra Royal Show-ANKC all breeds event
Mar 2008-7th place 0/50.63 (SCT 66s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Agility-Newcastle ABDTC-ANKC all breeds event
Mar 2008-1st place 0/58.35 (SCT 71s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Agility-ACTCA-ANKC all breeds event
Mar 2008-Rosie now eligible for her ANKC Excellent Agility Title (ADX)
Mar 2008-4th place 48.42 (SCT 61s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Agility-ACTCA-ANKC all breeds event
Mar 2008-3rd place 0/47.56 (SCT 56.07s) & qualifying cert-Excellent Agility-ACTCA-ANKC all breeds event
Mar 2008-3rd place, 45pts & qualifying cert-Novice Gamblers-ACTCA-ANKC all breeds event
Mar 2008-1st place 46.59 (SCT 77sec) & qualifying cert. (with Greg Collins & Coolie Ag Ch 'Kellie')-Novice Strategic Pairs-ACTCA-ANKC all breeds event
I've fallen behind in adding information here - we haven't had time to compete much, but Rosie has earned her SPD and GD titles and earned other placings (including a 2nd place in Excellent Strategic Pairs at the AUSTRALIAN AGILITY NATIONALS!!!) I will find time to list details soon hopefully!
CLEAR ROUNDS for Kiri – Apex Sings the Blues ADXAS
DATE-PLACING-EVENT-CLUB-Type of Competition:
Feb 1999--Starters--PAL National Agility Competition
Feb 1999--Starters-Zone 3 DAC-Championship event
Feb 1999--Starters-Zone 3 DAC-Championship event
Dec 2000--Starters - PAL National Agility Competition -
Aug 2001-16th-Starters-Horowhenua ODTC-Championship event
Sep 2001--Starters-National Dog Show-Championship event
Oct 2001-7th-Starters-Central Hawkes Bay DTC-Championship event
There is a common misconception that you have to be fit to compete in sports with your dog. In fact people of all ages can compete successfully in - there's a lot of grey hair and pot-bellies, and also many successful school-age competitors at dog competitions!
I got the agility bug in the 1970s when I watched my mother training her boxers for utility trials. We had a borrowed long jump and scale jump in our back yard and the dogs and I both found that equipment far more interesting than heelwork, stays, recall, and retrieves that had previously dominated the backyard training sessions.
Boxers, barking commands at them and getting angry if
the dog doesn't do things right. While some Boxers
are stubborn and naughty, a stern approach will only
make them slower in agility. Basically, the sterner
you get, the slower they go. They need to be
positvely motivated - doing it for fun, not because
you're ordering them to.
CLEAR ROUNDS for Kiri – Apex Sings the Blues ADXAS