Meets weekly on Saturday mornings at the Group Organiser’s home

Here is an article that Joan, the Group Organiser, wrote and which appeared in the September Exmouth & District u3a newsletter:

I noticed there were no dog related activities in the Exmouth area and had the idea of starting an ‘Agility Fun Dogs’ group under the auspices of the U3a. I didn’t have a plan exactly how to proceed.   I had, for many years, competed with my dogs in obedience competitions all over America, acquiring a lot of trophies and losing a lot of money in the process. I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do with agility, just felt it should be a fun affair for dogs and owners, with a little exercise thrown in for both!

Four weeks ago we had our first agility class, taking place in my rear garden in Exmouth.   Starting small at first, as I wasn’t at all sure what novice dogs and their owners would be capable of doing.  What would novice dogs do when confronted with strange obstacles?   Would they do anything at all?   Would they jump over obstacles, or go round them?  Would novice owners ever be able to get their dogs to go through the weaving poles, and what about the tunnel?

I must say they have surprised me.  Ivy, a little Jack Russell, goes over the jumps so fast, her owner sometimes gets left behind. Freddy, a little Havanese can not only go through the weaving poles, but does so with little pirouettes in between, and likes going through then tunnel so much she goes through one way, collects her treat and rushes back again leaving her owner stranded.

Josie takes jumps, weaving etc., all in her stride, never making a mistake – well, not too many!

I don’t think we’re quite ready for Crufts yet – maybe next week!   Meanwhile we are having a lot of fun.