An Introduction to Dog Agility in Ireland: A Practical Guide for Beginners

Dog agility is a brilliant way to build a stronger connection with your dog while keeping both of you active and mentally engaged. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s packed with benefits—both physical and behavioural.

Whether you’re curious about what agility actually involves or you’re already picturing your dog flying through tunnels and weaving like a pro, this guide will walk you through the essentials of getting started, what to expect, and why it’s such a worthwhile activity here in Ireland.

What Is Dog Agility?

Agility is a sport where your dog navigates a timed obstacle course under your direction. It involves everything from jumps and tunnels to weave poles and contact equipment like the A-frame and seesaw. You don’t physically go over the obstacles yourself, but your job is just as active—guiding your dog clearly and confidently through the course.

The aim is to complete the course cleanly (no mistakes) and as quickly as possible. It’s a real test of teamwork between you and your dog, and it’s seriously rewarding to see that connection grow over time.

Agility is open to all breeds and sizes, but dogs must be at least 18 months old to compete. At Paws Academy, we typically begin agility training around 12 months of age, once dogs have developed enough physically and mentally to start learning the foundations. We also welcome pups aged 8–12 months for early-stage training, where we use low-impact equipment like bumps instead of full jumps to protect growing joints and keep everything safe and age-appropriate.

In Ireland, the sport is officially recognised and regulated by the Irish Kennel Club (IKC), which oversees competitions and training standards.

Why Try Agility?

It’s more than just a sport—agility ticks a lot of boxes for both you and your dog:

• Physical exercise: It keeps your dog fit, improves coordination, and helps maintain a healthy weight.

• Mental stimulation: The variety of obstacles and the need to focus keeps your dog’s brain ticking, which can help reduce boredom-related behaviours.

• Better behaviour: Regular training encourages impulse control, better listening, and good habits—both in and out of the ring.

• Teamwork and bonding: You’ll quickly notice how much your communication with your dog improves. Agility builds trust, clarity, and understanding.

And let’s be honest—it’s also a lot of fun. Dogs love the challenge and excitement, and it’s a brilliant outlet for their energy.

What’s Involved: The Obstacles

Agility courses are made up of a variety of different obstacles, each designed to test your dog in a slightly different way. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll typically see:

• Jumps – Standard hurdles that vary in height depending on your dog’s size.

• Tunnels – Long, flexible tubes your dog runs through at speed.

• Weave Poles – A line of upright poles that your dog must weave in and out of.

• A-frame – A steep climb up and down a large ‘A’ shaped ramp.

• Dog Walk – A narrow, elevated walkway that requires focus and balance.

• Seesaw – Like the playground version, but designed for dogs. They need to cross it steadily until it tips.

• Tyre Jump – A suspended hoop that your dog jumps through.

Each of these has its own training technique and safety considerations, so it’s important to introduce them gradually and with guidance.

How Competitions Work in Ireland

If you’re interested in competing eventually, here’s how it works:

Agility in Ireland is structured into seven grades, starting from Grade 1 for complete beginners, and going all the way up to Grade 7 for highly experienced teams. You move up the grades by performing well in competitions and earning qualifying runs.

Courses are adjusted based on your dog’s size—small, medium, intermediate, and large—to keep things fair. Competitions are hosted around the country throughout the year, and you’ll find a friendly, welcoming community at these events.

But you don’t need to compete to enjoy agility. Plenty of people train purely for the love of it.

What You’ll Need

If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to buy loads of kit. Most training clubs (like ours) have full access to professional, competition-standard equipment.

That said, if you want to practise at home, you can get basic versions of jumps or tunnels to work on foundations like focus, direction, and body awareness. Just be sure everything is safe and the right size for your dog. Agility should always be low-impact and controlled when you’re training young dogs or just getting started.

It’s also a good idea to chat with your vet before starting, particularly if your dog is older or has any previous injuries.

Finding the Right Training

Not all agility classes are created equal. Look for trainers who use positive reinforcement and understand how to build skills gradually, without overloading your dog. Foundation training should focus on communication, handling basics, and confidence before diving into full courses.

At our training centre, we offer agility courses for all levels—from total beginners to those preparing for competition. We keep class sizes small, tailor sessions to the dogs and handlers involved, and ensure all training is done on safe, secure, and well-maintained equipment.

Agility in Everyday Life

Even if you never enter a competition, agility training has a real impact on day-to-day life with your dog. You’ll see improvements in:

• Off-lead control

• Listening skills in high-energy environments

• Overall behaviour and calmness at home

• Confidence in new places or situations

It’s one of the most productive, enjoyable ways to burn off physical and mental energy—and one that you’ll both genuinely look forward to.

Ready to Give It a Go?

If you’re curious about agility and want to see what it’s all about, we’d love to hear from you.

We run structured agility courses for all levels, using a full set of safe, competition-standard equipment. Whether your goal is to compete or just have fun with your dog, we’ll help you build the skills and confidence you both need to succeed.

Get in touch to book your spot or find out more about our upcoming courses. Let’s get started! Want to find out more - take a look at our Agility Training.