Like many rescue dogs, Rachel Fein’s mixed breed, Kali, had some major fear issues. Kali was scared of everything.

Then Fein, of Naperville, learned about agility training at Lucky Dog Academy in Plainfield. The classes were so life-changing for Kali that when Fein hurt her knee, Heather Dwyer, Lucky Dog Academy’s owner/operator, ran Kali through the agility courses.

“Through agility and Heather’s experience and techniques we were able to work through Kali’s fear issues and built her confidence,” Fein said. “Since then Kali has become the perfect happy dog. She competes in agility and is a therapy dog.”

Dwyer has offered agility classes since she opened Lucky Dog Academy in 2009, but she first became familiar with the concept when she was training her first dog, a border collie, at Blitzen Canine Academy in Frankfort.

“Border collies are a working breed, and she was a rescue dog that needed a job,” Dwyer said. “I’ve seen many dogs fail in homes because they’re bored and constantly searching for that job.”

Benefits of agility

In a dog’s mind, agility training becomes that job. Moreover, because owners give their dogs direction as they safely run through tunnels and jump over hurdles on a numbered course. Agility training also fosters bonding, as well as staying focus amidst distractions and physical fitness.

So even if your dog is not a working breed, agility training might still be beneficial, simply for the exercise it provides. “I think a lot of dogs need to be in better shape than they are,” Dwyer said.

Occasionally agility training provides a job for both dog and owner. Cheri Johnson of Joliet fosters puppies for the Leader Dog for the Blind organization in Michigan. Beginning when the puppies are 7 weeks old and continuing through their first year, Johnson teaches them obedience and eases them into the community by taking them to restaurants, churches and businesses.

But once Jackson, a yellow Labrador retriever and the fifth puppy Johnson trained, returned to Leader Dog, he was quickly returned to Johnson. “He was too distracted by squirrels and bunnies to safely guide a blind person,” Johnson said.

Since beginning agility training, Jackson, now 2, has received two certificates, Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog International. He currently visits patients with the pet therapy program at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. Johnson calls Jackson her little rock star.

“I really feel that a lot of dogs have behavioral problems because they are bored and/or don’t get enough exercise,” Johnson said. “Agility is the perfect activity for all dogs because they have to really have to use their brain and think about what they are doing.”

Who can participate?

Dwyer tailors her agility program to meet the needs of each owner and dog. Some clients attend weekly; others several times a week.

Working breeds tend to grasp the concepts faster. Training is slower when owners are also new to agility training.

Other clients adopt a casual “doing it for fun” attitude, while others participate in agility competitions. “Illinois offers 12 trials in June and 16 in July,” Dwyer said.

In September, Dwyer will begin a junior handler program for kids age 10 to 14 and their dogs. “A lot of parents say it teaches their children responsibility,” Dwyer said.

Although Lucky Dog Academy will begin some agility training with puppies as young as 6 months old, Dwyer delays jumping until, depending on the breed, the dog is about 12 to 18 months old and the hips are fully closed.

“Some people who are really serious about it have their dogs x-rayed to be sure they’re ready,” Dwyer said.

For more information on agility training, contact Lucky Dog Academy at 815-302-8143 or heather@whosaluckydog.com.

Information also is available at www.whosaluckydog.com.