Dogs get to bone up on agility - by Amy Sacks, New York Daily News - Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc. - Working with the City of New York to promote dog and cat adoption and spay and neuter programs to make New York a no-kill city.

Home > The Alliance in the News > 2006 Alliance News Items > Dogs get to bone up on agility

Saturday, November 18, 2006

It took only seconds for Piney, a year-old brindle-colored pit bull to soar over multiple hurdles, fly through a hoop, crawl through a long tunnel, scurry over a ramp and burst through the final chute.

Then came Farty, an eager, yet leisurely, pug who clearly prefers sniffing leftover treats to jumping through hoops.

"She drags me here," said her owner, Susan Silbermann, at their recent advanced beginner dog agility class, held at the new Animal Haven SoHo Adoption Center, which will formally open for business on Dec. 12. "She likes to run, but she likes to clean up everyone's mess, too."

The 2,500-square-foot agility course, the largest in Manhattan, offers urban dogs a shot at the increasingly popular canine sport, which puts them through a rigorous obstacle course, with owners in hot pursuit.

Instructor Kris Seiter, who has earned more than 100 agility titles, inspires students to love working with their dogs and develop the confidence in their own training.

"It helps people build a strong bond with their dog," said Seiter, 37, who travels from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., where she lives with her eight dogs that includes four rescued keeshonden, two Border collies, a rescued Pomeranian and an Alaskan Malamute.

The competitive sport also provides excellent mental and physical exercise, and can help dogs, particularly rescues, learn obedience and overcome behavioral issues such as fear and anxiety.

"It's not just throwing a ball and getting exercise," Seiter said. "It creates a dog that wants to do more."

Seiter said one of her star students — an 8-year-old mutt with only three legs — is proof that you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks.

Although agility is a competitive sport, some students are in it for the fun.

"It's the only time he gets to run and be free and wild," said freelance editor Anaheed Alani, 36, of Piney, an obedient pooch, who rarely frequents the dog runs.

Manhattan dog trainer Andrea Arden, who runs the training school, says agility training also can help shy dogs gain confidence.

Some students, however, do aspire to become champions.

Victoria Wilson believes her 6-month-old Coton du Tulear, named Blossom, has a natural ability and, while a beginner, is progressing fast.

"She has a talent to amuse," said Wilson, a Manhattan resident, who works in publishing.

While agility classes can be pricey for some — $350 for a six-week class — Seiter says urban dwellers don't need fancy equipment or much space to practice at home. Toilet plungers, for example, can double as weaving poles.

And, even in studio apartments, spry dogs can run around furniture and up and down the stairs.

And, unlike the fancy dog shows that accept only purebreds, agility competition is open to mutts of all shapes and sizes.

Of course, any dog that takes part in a strenuous activity or sport should be in good physical condition.

Created 25 years ago as entertainment for spectators at Crufts, the prestigious English dog show, the sport of agility was inspired by equestrian stadium jumping.

Today, agility is quickly catching on with another set - felines. Cats are incredibly athletic, more so than dogs, Seiter said, and due to short attention spans, require brief training sessions.

Seiter, whose trained her former cat Juniper to compete in agility, disputes the idea that cats aren't up to snuff.

"They seem to know how to jump on top of the refrigerator and open a bag of chips, don't they?"

To register for dog agility classes at the Animal Haven SoHo Adoption Center, go to www.andreaarden.com, or call (212) 414-9597.

To find out more about dog agility, go to www.usdaa.com, www.nadac.com and www.akc.org.

For information on cat agility, visit www.catagility.com.