Saturday is Activity Day – How We Balance Agility, Walks and Enrichment

Shared Handling: Consistency Makes the Pack Work

Saturdays tend to be flexible days when both John and I have more time to spare. That often means longer walks or exploring further afield with the dogs. Walking the pack together is always easier: each of us manages just two or three dogs on lead, and having two sets of eyes makes off‑lead risk management far simpler.

Hazards are everywhere when exercising a group of high‑energy breeds — low‑hanging branches, tractor ruts, barbed wire, and of course the occasional incoming dog who fancies joining the excitement. Handling more than one or two dogs at a time takes skill, awareness, and a good sense of timing.

Consistent cues and routines make all the difference. The dogs know exactly what’s expected of them, no matter which one of us is holding the lead.

Walks together, Apart and Everything In between

Today the dogs were my responsibility, as John left early to visit family in Wales. We had dropped Holly off the night before for a sleepover with John’s daughter and her dogs. Holly adores playing with Maggie and Molly — the Tibetan spaniel and cockerpoo — and never says no to ball games galore.

I had an agility workshop booked for the afternoon with Kaytee, so the morning was deliberately quiet. Jill and Kaytee rested to conserve their energy, while I took Cora and Fleck for a local lead walk.

After lunch, I packed the van with toys, snacks, waterproofs and towels, then loaded everyone in for our afternoon agility session.

Agility fun

We arrived at the venue in good time, which meant I could give Jill and Kaytee a run in the exercise paddock before the workshop began. The paddock was wet and muddy, but I was well prepared. Afterwards, the dogs were settled back into their crates, each lined with thick‑pile vet bed and large bath towels to soak up the mud and moisture.

There were five other handlers and dogs in the workshop. Refreshments were provided, and between runs we watched each other work and chatted — a very social, supportive atmosphere.

Kaytee agility training

Kaytee rested in the van between her turns, which also gave me the chance to let Fleck and Cora stretch their legs. All the dogs are perfectly content relaxing in the van; they have their own space, water dishes, and snacks to keep them occupied. We’ve taught them that the van is a good, safe place to be, and they settle beautifully because they know their needs are met.

When the workshop finished, Jill got her moment too — a run with my instructor, even though she wasn’t booked on the course. She had her agility fix, everyone had a run and a ride out, and we headed home with tired, satisfied dogs… and a few leftover donuts to share with John later.