New sport fun for dogs of all ages

A new trend in canine sport has made its way to Rockingham.

Hoopers is a low-impact sport suitable for dogs of all ages including puppies and old dogs.

Unlike agility, where the pet-owner runs the course with the dog, the aim of hoopers is for the owner to direct their dog through ground-level hoops and around obstacles using hand signals and verbal cues from a distance.

BFF Dog Training owner SueEllen LePage said the sport was becoming increasingly popular in America and the UK but had only just been introduced in Australia.

Taking part in the inaugural Hoops WA instructors course in June, Ms LePage said she was excited to bring a positive and fun sport to Rockingham’s dog-owning community.

“What I love about hoopers is that it really is so accessible,” she said.

“The equipment is cheap, you can even make it yourself, and it is really a sport that relies on building and developing the bond between the owner and the dog.

“So many people are disconnected with their dogs so it’s getting people to build that relationship and understanding that you don’t always have to be training your dog — you can have fun too.”

Hoops WA and BFF Dog Training are running beginners and intermediate workshops in four week blocks starting this Saturday, at Bungaree Oval. They will also host demonstrations and have-a-go sessions at the Baldivis Dog Day on October 19.