Australian Shepherds & Sports

What is Agility?

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Agility is an active dog sport in which teamwork between dog and handler is central.

The goal is for the dog to complete a course consisting of various obstacles in a prescribed order, as accurately and as quickly as possible.

During the run, the handler may guide the dog using voice commands and body signals, but is not allowed to touch either the dog or the obstacles.

This means the dog must learn to respond quickly and correctly to spoken cues and physical signals.

Agility uses a wide variety of obstacles, each requiring different skills and abilities from the dog.

Agility is a popular recreational and leisure sport for both dogs and handlers.

It aligns perfectly with a dog’s natural desire for movement and suits their instincts, behaviour and enthusiasm for work.

Both dog and handler are physically active, with the dog training all muscle groups.

Through agility, dogs often gain confidence and the bond between dog and handler is strengthened.

Tasks that require the dog to work independently stimulate the senses and enhance memory, focus and concentration.

Interaction with other dogs during training sessions and competitions also promotes social behaviour, making dogs more balanced and pleasant in everyday situations.

From the sidelines, agility looks spectacular and deceptively simple. Watching an experienced team run a course is impressive, but such performance is the result of many hours — often years — of dedicated training for both dog and handler.

Flyball

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Flyball is the only true team sport within dog sports.

It is a relay race between two teams of four dogs.

Each team may include up to two reserve dogs, meaning a team consists of a minimum of four and a maximum of six dogs.

In the Dutch competition rules, only two dogs of the same breed may compete within one team.

The course measures 15.55 metres, which must be completed back and forth.

On the outward run, the dog runs without a ball.

Using the international box, the dog retrieves the ball from the box by performing a swimmer’s turn and returns it to the handler as quickly as possible.
In the Netherlands, a different system is often used: the Dutch box, where the dog presses a pedal to launch a tennis ball, which must then be caught by the dog.

The course contains four hurdles, placed 3.05 metres apart, which the dog must clear.

The next dog may only start once the previous dog has crossed the start/finish line.

The team whose four dogs complete the run cleanly and fastest wins.

The smallest dog in the team is known as the height dog and determines the height of the hurdles.

Depending on local regulations, hurdle heights usually range from 17.5 cm to 35 cm (7" to 14"), increasing in steps of 2.5 cm (½").

To maximise speed, flying starts are used, supported by starting lights and sensors.

These sensors register starts and exchanges. If a mistake is made, a light is activated and the dog that made the error must rerun.

Each team is allowed one false (early) start; a second false start does not stop the heat.

Almost every competition has its own regulations, making direct comparison of results difficult.

Most competitions use an Electronic Judging System (EJS).

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Obedience

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Through dog training, a dog learns to perform commands, respond to specific situations, or behave in a desired manner.

Dogs are naturally social animals, accustomed to living in packs.

Because dogs see humans as part of their social group, they are generally eager to please. This makes training relatively accessible.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs also undergo intensive training before being matched with their handlers — though not every dog is suitable for this type of work.

Commonly taught behaviours include recall, sitting, and staying on command.

During training, rewards such as food or attention are often used, especially when they positively reinforce learning.

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Clicker Training

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Although clicker training is relatively new in Belgium, the method itself has existed for many decades.

It is based on reinforcement learning, discovered in the 1930s by American psychologist B.F. Skinner.

In 1963, Karen Pryor laid the foundation for modern clicker training through her work with dolphins, demonstrating that reinforcement-based training is equally effective for dogs.

Clicker training teaches behaviour by rewarding desired actions using a conditioned reinforcer — the click.

Unlike traditional methods, dogs are not forced or manipulated into behaviour, but encouraged and motivated to offer it themselves.

This requires more thinking and timing from the handler.

Punishment and coercion have no place in clicker training.

The method is suitable for adults and children alike, requires no physical strength, and is accessible to everyone.

The principle is simple: a clicking sound is followed by a reward.

After repetition, the dog learns that the click predicts something positive.

Once this association is established, the clicker becomes a powerful training tool.

Clear communication is the foundation of clicker training. The dog learns: “What I do earns me something.”

Because it is enjoyable, the dog becomes motivated to repeat the behaviour.

This positive motivation is what makes clicker training so effective.

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Frisbee

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Teaching your dog to play frisbee is fun and highly rewarding — and it’s also healthy.

Some dogs pick it up quickly, while others need more time, but almost any dog can learn frisbee, provided the dog is in good physical condition.
For puppies, it is essential to know when jumping is safe.

Jumping too early can damage growth plates and cause lifelong problems.

Generally, frisbee training should only begin around 14 months of age.

Use a soft, flexible frisbee, as hard discs can cause injury.

A good way to create positive associations is to let the dog eat from the frisbee at first, allowing it to become familiar and comfortable with it.

Encourage play by teasing and engaging your dog with the frisbee.

Roll it along the ground, reward interest, and keep sessions fun. Retrieving is not essential at this stage.

When moving outdoors, throw the frisbee over short distances and keep it low to the ground.

Encourage returns and reward enthusiasm.

As dogs begin jumping, it is important to teach safe landings — ideally on all four feet.

If landings are awkward, training jumps through a hoop can help improve technique.

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Herding (Sheepdog Trials)

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In herding, the dog works with a group of five sheep.

Within a limited time, the dog must guide them through gates in an enclosed area and separate two animals from the group — one of the most challenging exercises due to the small flock size.

The dog may also work with two flocks of ten sheep, guiding each group separately before completing the same course with the combined flock.

When two dogs are used, six sheep are worked.

The dogs may not cross paths. Together, they guide the flock to the handler, split it into two equal groups, and then each dog drives its group to a separate enclosure.