Canine Hoopers
Hoopers is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the UK!
hoopers Beginners coursesWhat Is Hoopers? Hoopers is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the UK!
It is a really good FUN, low-impact sport where you and your dog work as a team to navigate a course made up of hoops, barrels, and tunnels.
All the equipment is at ground level, so no jumping or climbing is involved and courses are flowing so no tight twists or turns.
Take beginner classes with a Canine Hoopers World Instructor!
I am a qualified Canine Hoopers World Instructor (CHWI) and run Hooper courses in a secure field located in Gravesend. (About 5 minutes from Jesykins Nature Reserve.) I am currently looking for an indoor venue to hold classes in the winter months.
I currently offer a Beginner’s course with further courses being developed. I am also able to offer the Canine Hoopers World Progress Awards Levels 1 and 2
On completion of each course, your dog will receive a CERTIFICATE and ROSETTE! Should you decide to undertake the Progress Awards, you’ll receive a further rosette should you pass the assessment.
The Beginners courses consist of 6 classes and each course is run with no more than 6 dogs.
The price for a Canine Hoopers 6 Week course is:
£120 6-week course. Hoopers lEVEL 1 & 2 WILL BE BACK IN SPRING 2025Venue: To Be Confirmed
Who Can Enjoy Hoopers?
Unlike the fast-paced sport of agility, a Hoopers course is low impact and gentle, making it suitable for dogs of all ages, fitness levels, abilities, and breeds.
Puppies from the age of 5 months old, older dogs who have perhaps retired from agility, dogs that have suffered injuries, and disabled dogs that are otherwise fit and healthy but who still want a job to do can enjoy Hoopers as it’s much gentler meaning there are no worries about damaging bones or joints.
Equally dogs of any size or breed can enjoy Hoopers as the tunnels are bigger than agility tunnels making them large enough for big and leggy breeds to go through without having to slow their gait or stoop.
It is also suitable for owners of any age, fitness level, and ability.
It really is a fun, inclusive canine sport for all – dogs and their human handlers!
Why Do Hoopers?
Other than the fact it is fun, it is a fantastic way to develop, build on and strengthen the bond between you and your dog. As with all Optimistic Dog Training, our Hoopers courses are trained using kind, reward-based techniques and this in turn helps your dog to build confidence around new equipment, allowing them to learn in their own time whilst having lots of fun!
It is also a sport where we encourage dogs to work away from their handler which helps build independence and confidence. Great for nervous or shy dogs.
It builds an awareness of their feet and bodies so it is good for proprioception and it is great for high-energy dogs too as it channels their focus and burns up energy!
A lot of skills learned in Hoopers you can also use in agility. I am also a qualified Agility Instructor so I like to incorporate some of those skills into my Hoopers class especially if you are interested in doing both Hoopers and Agility.
