Hoopers is dog sport that is a cross between motion puzzles and low impact agility. It is about handler-dog confidence, connection, and communication. Three amazing traits everyone wants with their dog all developed in one fun activity. The cost of set up for you as a trainer can be kept to a minimum and the storage space needed is manageable with only a car required to transport equipment (no trailer needed).

There is an organisation to get qualified through. And there is a whole community of people to help you. :) Hoopers can be taught as a class or a personal session, it is up to you, your available space, your handlers and their dogs.You can progress the motivated clients through levels and achievement awards, or you can simply provide a fun outlet for the not so serious handler-dog teams. With the flexibility of Hoopers, it can be taught in many ways but generally has two styles.

One where the handler gets a head start and then their dog catches up and the handler does best to lead whilst running alongside supporting their dog on the course (this could be full pelt or it could be a meandering trot) or distance handling, where the handler’s movement is minimal, with clear communication and strong foundation work, the dog can navigate the course with calm verbal and visual directions. Whichever way works best for the individual, the aim is to navigate around and through equipment fluidly as a dog-handler team.

Once you get the foundation skills under your belt (e.g. see a hoop, run through it, see a barrel, navigate around or past it) then watch your clients’ dogs thrive in an engaging fun activity and see how movement alone, can be such a positive motivator.

Workshop Learning Objectives

• Understanding how movement puzzles (shaping) can help build confidence and resilience in our dogs.
• Ways to make an income and reduce professional burn out by providing a fun activity everyone enjoys.
• By adding the fun videos to your social media, it can build engagement with your clients and followers.
• Show you how to provide an achievable dog sport that is local to your clients.
• By the end of the workshop we hope to provide an understanding that Hoopers is something you could add to your services, how you get there and where to go for support and learning