Intelligent Agility

Erin and Kevin are the ultimate dog whisperers. They’re knowledgeable, have a great course, are patient trainers and have produced some champions. Most of all they are cool, fun, and real dog and people people! Great for intelligent dogs who need exercise, stimulation and socialization — i.e. pretty much every dog can be an agility dog. It’s amazing. Totally worth it, and fun for humans!

There’s more to dogs than just sniffing each others @sses… ‘But they don’t seem to be complaining about it. (‘Just joking… ‘There’s also butt-​surfing on the carpet, eating their own throw-​up and my favorite, licking their own junk.)
Okay, enough kidding around, on to the Unilocal*view!
The idea here is to have owners and their dogs bond and have fun…
‘Lots of FUN! (‘And it’s true.)
My good friend, SP, signed up HAPA for a beginning agility class a few months ago and this was the follow-​up course: intermediate Agility Training
The trainers are the husband & wife team of Erin & Kevin R.
They set up the agility course before the class with different exercises ranging from hurdles, hoops, tunnels, ramps and including a teeter totter.
Photo —
I’ve been busy these past few months… ‘In between a blown out knee & preparing for my move «Back to the Bay,» I’ve been a tad busy. So, SP, signed up the l’il bruddah for agility classes.
HAPA Boy & SP —
The first thing I’d have to say is, «Yes, it looks like fun… ‘And quite a bit of it I might add.»
I’ve taken HAPA to a couple of dog obedience courses, in which he did exceptionally well. Those courses were more stringent & demanding of the dogs… On the contrary, here, it’s more like obstacle course training mixed in with a bit of doggy daycare. The dogs here are not corrected with a heavy hand but rather a soft, gentle guidance with a bit of stern direction when needed.
That’s a «Happy HAPA!» —
As I sat in on a couple of classes, I watched the various «students,» run the course & each one had their own unique personality… ‘And it SHOWED! Whether, the dogs were hitting their mark on the ramp, «teeter,» the chute… ‘Or were just doing whatever they felt like doing at the time, including stopping to smell the roses, drop a load or just run around & around, they were having fun. The dogs were allowed to simply be themselves, no hard direction, just basic guidance & some gentle coaxing if they were apprehensive/​nervous about a part of the course. (i.e. — The «teeter»; chute) ‘And everyone used treats… A lot of them!
The dogs were great… ‘Some of then were jumpers, tunnelers, «chute’ers,» and even ramp goers. However, not too many of them were huge fans of the «teeter.» (‘And I don’t blame ‘em.)
Photo —
One thought I had, it would be great if the dogs had a place to train regularly, a relatively permanent course to practice the different exercises. I think that would make a huge different in the learning curve… However, even as it is, I was quite impressed at how the dogs took to the course. Some of the dogs were timid, very… ‘But still made it through. (Well, at least for the most part.)
The Course —
*Note: The layout of the course changes with each class session progressing from basic to more advance.
If you’re looking for a way to bond or simply help your dog build confidence, I highly recommend signing him up for an obedience/​agility course.
Photo —
Dogs are pack animals and need some form of structure, they will thank you & so will everyone else.
HAPA — «He done did it!
Certificate —
A huge mahalo nui to Erin & Kevin R. for their time, dedication and hard work.
Photo —

‘As well as a big thank you to SP for signing up the HAPA for the classes!
Photo —
— Big Aloha!
Food: n/​a (Dog treats)
Ambiance: 4
Service: 5
Value: 5+ (Priceless)