Who is Hoopers For?

Everybody and every dog!

  • Puppies low impact introduction to Agility. Hoopers requires problem solving/shaping, learning how to hold a line, learning how to move with a person!

  • Adult dogs that want to move into Agility after foundations or those that require a lower impact version of Agility: no jumping, no weaving and no equipment off the ground. Hoopers is the perfect foundation training for dogs that want to move into Agility!

  • People that would prefer not to run with their dogs, or have the option of minimizing how much movement they need to bring to the game.

  • Retired or Senior Agility dogs. As our dogs age their vision changes, just like ours does so minimizing jumping, keeping them on the ground, and eliminating multiple lead changes weaving all allow our Seniors to keep doing what they love!

...what Hoopers 1 Grads have to say...

5 star rating

Great course!!

dorothy Craig

Great introduction to hoopers basics and I loved the breakdown of the exercises, PDFs and the videos. It was clear and simple to follow. My favourite part w...

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Great introduction to hoopers basics and I loved the breakdown of the exercises, PDFs and the videos. It was clear and simple to follow. My favourite part was the prompt and detailed feedback!! The devil is in the details!! Looking forward to level 2 with both my dogs.

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5 star rating

Great course!

Julia Morton

Very well planned with excellent feedback. I loved this course!

Very well planned with excellent feedback. I loved this course!

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5 star rating

My dogs and I so enjoyed learning the lessons in Level 1!

Sandy Mackintosh

The course is laid out in a very understandable way and is easy to follow. The instant feedback is so helpful. Even my 13 year old BC is loving it!

The course is laid out in a very understandable way and is easy to follow. The instant feedback is so helpful. Even my 13 year old BC is loving it!

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5 star rating

Great course

Leslie Morris

Really well laid out with informative videos and PDFs. Go at your own pace with lots of feedback from Nicki. I found watching other students videos helpful a...

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Really well laid out with informative videos and PDFs. Go at your own pace with lots of feedback from Nicki. I found watching other students videos helpful as well. Looking forward to level 2!

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FAQ

  • What equipment is required for this class?

    A minimum of 3 hoops (4 is recommended) and one barrel or round object such as a garbage can. Instructions for making the hoops are included. Hoops take less than 10 minutes to make from PVC you can purchase at the hardware store.

  • How much room do I need for this class?

    Most of the lessons teaching equipment, and skills can be taught indoors. The lessons sequencing will require 20x40 feet. Setups for larger spaces will also be included.

  • How old does my puppy have to be to take this class?

    5-6 months.

  • Can I post video and ask questions?

    100% YES! I encourage posting video for every lesson.

  • Is there a class after Level 1 if I want to keep learning?

    Yes, the Hoopers program has 4 levels. Level 2 will be launching early March. If you would like to 'skip a grade' and take Level 2 please email me for the Assessment Quiz.

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    The lessons will be delivered over 30 days and you will have access to the course for 60 days.

  • Can I register via e-transfer instead of PayPal?

    Yes. If you reside in Canada and would prefer to send an e- transfer email [email protected]

Hoopers in the snow...

safe to play on a wintery day!

Instructor(s)

Nicki Gurr. BSc, BEd

Nicki has been competing/teaching Agility for 22 years with 9 dogs: 7 Border Collies and 2 Shelties. She has over 20 1st place championships in National Standards and Jumpers events, and has also excelled in distance work (Gamblers) with multiple wins at the National level, with her Shelties and BCs. She has represented Canada 4x. Twice at FCI, twice at WAO. In 2020 she was Coach for Team Canada WAO. She has had success in multiple associations: AAC, CKC, FCI, USDAA, UKI, AKC. Nicki is a Masters Judge with the AAC and UKI and has worked with MANY students world wide online, in seminar and in weekly lessons, with an equally diverse range of dog breeds. Her strengths as an instructor are in her eye for detail and her ability to guide a handler to the BEST handling choices for their partner. Dogs respond the same way to direction, speed, location to the equipment, shoulders, head and feet. Nicki understands the relationship of how dogs interpret Handler motion to the finest of degrees. She can always enlighten a handler as to why it works and why it doesn’t. Her background is Science and Music. She believes Agility is a natural combination of the two: Moving in rhythm with another species, and training for repeatable behaviour. She has worked with Novice beginners to experienced World Team Members, and has helped many discover what their dogs already knew!