100 YEARS
Teton Valley News - august 6, 2009 - Page A7
Tavin Gonzalez, 12, coaxes his dog, Pearl over the A-frame with the help of trainer Teresa Schwarzwalter.
Above: The 4-H agility class pose with their dogs. Top row: (dogs) Ginger and Bear. Second row: Kaylee Schwarzwalter, 13, and Anissa Watson, 10. Third row: Wendy Pearson, 11, Katy Kopplous, 13 and Tavin Gonzalez, 12. Fourth row: (dogs) Sweep, Walter and Pearl. Right: Katy Kopplous, 13, brings her 6-month-old puppy Walter over the A-frame. Walter is just beginning his agility training.
TVN Photos/Lisa Nyren
Agility training good for canines and their human companions Lisa Nyren TVN Staff It’s not every day you find a friend who is willing to jump through hoops to please you, and it’s even less common to find one who’ll do it with a big smile and a get-up-and-go attitude. But for the students in the local 4-H dog agility class, that’s just what they’ve got. Except their friends will not only jump through hoops but also walk on teeter-totters, cross A-frames and weave through poles. “The biggest thing is the bond you create with your dog,” said Diana Cannon, class instructor. “Because you’re asking a dog to do something they would never ordinarily do. You have a trust that you develop between the dog and the owner.” And Cannon knows what she’s talking about. Now running the class at her home in Driggs, Cannon is no stranger to canine competitions. In fact, one of her Spinone’s, Destina, 10, holds the title of top Spinone in the nation in agility. Cannon has been competing with her dogs since 2001, and she’s been involved in agility training for 15 years. “You have to be at a high level,” Cannon said. “Dogs are off lead. It’s training. It’s a bond. It’s a lot of fun.” Cannon began working with rescued Airedale terriers in agility, and she found it was something both she and the dogs enjoyed. Now she’s sharing that passion with young 4-H’ers and their pets. “The kids learn a whole different skill with their dogs,” Cannon said, adding that she hopes at least a few of her students will enter regional and state competitions later this year. “I’ve got kids that are that good,” she said. And with new American Kennel Club guidelines, it’s easier than ever for a child (or adult) to get into the sport. Until recently, AKC companion events were only open to pedigree dogs, but now mixed breeds (who are spayed or neutered) are able to compete in agility, obedience and rally events. One member of the 4-H class, Tavin Gonzalez, 12, has started working with his new pet, Pearl, a rescue dog who has been with Gonzalez for
just over a month. Another 6-monthing a lot about companionship, disciold puppy, Walter, is training with his pline and perseverance, all while hav13-year-old owner, Katy Kopplous. ing a good time. At their first attempts on the agilFor more information about the ity course last month, both Pearl and local 4-H class, call Schwarzwalter at Walter took to the equipment rather (208) 399-1431. For more informaquickly and were scaling A-frames of tion on AKC agility and other compevarious sizes before class end. titions visit http://www.akc.org. “Dogs have fun,” said Cannon. To contact Lisa Nyren e-mail editor@teton“It’s a job that makes them think. It valleynews.net. makes them become coordinated.” Teresa Schwarzwalter, who teaches the 4-H K-9 athletic team spirit (KATS) program, has a daughter in the agility class, and says it’s a good way for both the students and the dogs to learn to understand one another. “The communication between the dog and the handler and the respect of the kids is amazing,” Schwarzwalter said, noting that with agility the handlers and the dogs have to know both voice commands and hand signals. Kaylee Schwarzwalter, 13, is in her second year of agility training with her 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Ginger. Cannon hopes she will compete in the fall. The class is about keeping kids active and out of trouble, Teresa said. It also helps that the kids and the dogs learn respect for one another. But one of the best things about agility training, Cannon said, is that it’s all positive. “There’s really no such thing as doing things wrong,” she said, adding that she always ends the class on a “happy note.” Judging from just one practice at the course set up in Cannon’s yard, Kaylee Schwarzwalter, 13, and her dog both the kids and the dogs are learnGinger navigate the agility course.
Anissa Watson, 10, brings 2-year-old Bear over a large A-frame. This is the pair’s second year in the agility class. Dianna Cannon, who runs the class at her home in Driggs, says Watson and Bear may be ready for state competition this fall.
Dustina, a 10-year-old Spinone, currently holds the title for the top agility dog of her breed.