What is Hoopers?
How long is the course?
It is 6 weeks, and each weekly class is 1 hour long.
How much is it?
Where is it?
Heart of the Shires Shopping Village, on the A5 near Weedon.
How do I book a place?
Please e-mail admin@lwdt.info for information on upcoming courses and how to secure a place.
Who teaches the class?
Laura Wyllie is a member of the APDT UK with approximately 20 years of dog training experience. Over the years she has lived with a variety of breeds, from small fluffy ones to 40kg Shepherds. Laura has worked with a variety of breeds throughout the years, as well as experienced lots of training disciplines including obedience, flyball, agility, heelwork to music, rally and scentwork. She became an accredited Canines Hoopers UK instructor in 2017.
Can my dog join a class?
Dogs can start Hoopers from 6 months old, as it is a low impact sport. You dog must be happy to be around other dogs/people, have some basic training (including recall), be physically fit (I recommend a vet check before starting) and be up to date with vaccinations. Dogs MUST be able to work off lead alongside other dogs to take part.
Do I have to run?
The aim of Hoopers is to teach you to handle your dog from a distance, although some people still prefer to run alongside their dogs. The better your training… The less you run!
Can my son/daughter handle our dog?
Yes, we encourage junior handlers providing it is a safe combination (we don’t want a 50kg dog dragging a 4 year old around the paddock!). Under 16s must be supervised by an adult at all times during classes.
Where do we park?
Parking is available in the main public car park at Heart of The Shires. Please arrive in time to give your dog a walk around the big grass areas to do their toileting before walking through the courtyard to the agility paddock. Please pick up after your dog and take it home with you. There is not a dog poo bin on site.
What do we bring with us?
Small, soft and tasty treats (eg- cheese, ham, sausage...) and their normal kibble. Also a treat pouch (makes training lots easier!), a non-squeaky dog toy and poo bags. Your dog needs to be wearing a flat collar with ID disc, harnesses are fine, and a good length lead. NO slip leads or extendable leads please. You need to wear suitable footwear (no slip-on shoes), and comfortable clothing that you can run in.
What else do I need to know?