AGILITY · ONE-TO-ONE · BALLYCROY, CO. MAYO
AGILITY TRAINING FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG
One-to-one sessions at our training centre in Ballycroy, with competition-standard Galican equipment, for complete beginners right through to teams getting ready for a show. Every session is planned around you, your dog and what you want out of agility, whether that's a new hobby together or your first ring.
✓ Beginners to competition
✓ Competition-standard Galican equipment
30+ years in agility
Competed at Crufts & Olympia
National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
WHERE ARE YOU STARTING FROM?
NEW TO AGILITY
Confidence comes first for both of you, so we start with the foundations, getting to know each piece of equipment safely and the skills your dog needs before anything gets fast or high.
BUILDING YOUR HANDLING
Timing, footwork and body language are what guide your dog round a course, and small changes in how you move make a big difference to how easily your dog can read you.
GETTING READY TO COMPETE
For teams who want to go further, we work on consistency, course choices and keeping your dog confident and focused in a busy show environment.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A SESSION
Each session is one-to-one, so the whole time goes on you and your dog. Depending on where you're at, we might work on foundation skills, how your dog understands each piece of equipment, handling, short sequences and full courses, or getting ready for a show, and everything moves at the pace your dog is ready for.
What to bring. Bring high-value treats or your dog's favourite toy, water, a bowl and poo bags. Wear comfortable clothes and trainers with good grip (wellies make it hard to turn and run safely).
FOUNDATIONS · EQUIPMENT · HANDLING · SEQUENCES · FULL COURSES · SHOW PREP
BOOK A SESSION
Dogs 12 months and over. Younger dogs may be able to start some foundation work, so ask me first.
YOUR TRAINER
RENEE PATIENCE
Agility has been part of my life with dogs for over 30 years. I've competed at Crufts, Olympia and Discover Dogs (and done demos at all three), shown agility on CBBC with my rescue collie Kola and my boxer Koko, and written a book on it too, Agility Unleashed.
Agility is all about behaviour and timing, and because I'm a qualified behaviourist as well as an agility trainer, I'm watching how your dog is feeling as much as how they're running. These days I teach at our training centre in Ballycroy, and I can take you from never having done it before right through to competing and winning.
CRUFTS · OLYMPIA · DISCOVER DOGS · ON CBBC · QUALIFIED BEHAVIOURIST
SAFE FROM THE VERY FIRST JUMP
Our agility field is set up with competition-standard Galican equipment, so the jumps, weaves, tunnel and dog walk your dog learns on are the same as the ones they'll meet at a show. Good equipment is only half of it, though, and the other half is knowing how to use it safely, which is where 30 years of training and competing comes in.
STARTING EACH PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
Every piece of equipment is taught on its own first, starting low and slow, so your dog understands the weaves, the dog walk or the see-saw before they're ever asked to do it at speed.
THE RIGHT JUMP HEIGHTS
Jump heights depend on your dog's size, age and fitness. I'll set them for your dog and tell you when it's time to raise them, or when it isn't yet.
LINES, ANGLES AND DISTANCES
How a course is set out decides how your dog takes off, lands and turns, so we look at lines, angles and distances between the jumps and where you need to be to help your dog through them safely.
WHY WE DON'T RUSH
Rushing is how dogs lose confidence and get hurt. A dog who really understands the job is a safer dog and, in the end, a faster one too.
AGILITY QUESTIONS
Can we do agility just for fun?
Absolutely, agility isn't only for people who want to compete, and it's a brilliant way to build confidence and communication and give your dog something new to learn. We set the goals around what you want from it.
What age can my dog start?
Full agility training is for dogs who are physically mature, usually around 12 months or older depending on breed, size and how they're developing. Younger dogs can sometimes do selected foundation work (body awareness, confidence and focus on you, rather than jumping), so get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Does my dog need any experience?
No, complete beginners are very welcome, and so are teams who've done agility before, are coming back after a break or want to get ready for a show. Every session starts from where you and your dog are now.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring high-value treats or your dog's favourite toy, water, a bowl and poo bags. Wear comfortable clothes and trainers with good grip (wellies make it hard to turn and run safely).
Can any dog do agility?
Lots of dogs love it, but safety always comes first, so your dog needs to be fit and comfortable working around the equipment. If your dog has an injury, a health condition or any physical limits, tell me before booking and we'll decide together whether agility suits them.
Can I practise on the field between lessons?
Yes, once you've had at least one lesson with me you can hire the field for 45 minutes, from €20 for one dog. Get in touch to book a slot so it doesn't clash with a lesson.
READY TO GIVE AGILITY A GO?
Pick a 30 or 45 minute session and choose a time that suits you, or if you'd like to talk it through first, email me at hello@thetrainingofdogs.net and I'll get back to you.