Dog Agility Demonstration

Dog agility is a fun and fast-paced canine sport that began in England in the late 1970s and was inspired by equestrian show jumping. Come to the Dickerson course and join Carole Bewley, an experienced dog handler as she shows us how dogs learn to navigate obstacle courses using body language and verbal cues through reward-based training. We'll explore how modern agility training develops communication, confidence, and teamwork between dog and handler. You'll see examples of foundation skills, watch a trained dog perform a course, and learn how dogs and handlers solve challenges together in real time. If time permits, a volunteer might guide the dog through part of a course.

Carole Bewley is a research scientist and avid dog lover and trainer. She fell in love with the sports of dog agility and canine nosework, has been training dogs for over a decade, and currently lives with two Border Collies and a senior gal who is a Cattle Dog mix from Border Collie Rescue. When she’s not working, enjoying family, friends and her dogs, she is passionate about helping with native habitats in Maryland.