CO-OPERATIVE canines ran circles around their owners in a mass display of speed and agility that would make famed dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse proud.
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More than 150 dogs and their trainers took part in the Warrnambool Dog Training School’s autumn show which tested the temperament of man’s best friend.
All levels of ability were encouraged to take part in the two-day event which involved running an obstacle course, tunnel work, a-frame, see-sawing and jumping.
Warrnambool Dog Training School secretary Necia Lynch said spectators were impressed with the level of attentiveness and skill displayed by the animals.
She said some owners had spent years training their dogs to an optimum level of speed and agility.
“I think many people who don’t have much to do with training dogs are surprised by the level of attention they can muster,” Ms Lynch said.
“Hand signalling can be used by owners if they have spent enough time with their dogs. Even the slightest move of the shoulder can be picked up by the dog and interpreted in a certain way.”
The south-west dog school is a member of the Victorian Canine Association and entrants over the weekend notched up score tallies for further competition at a state and national level.
Local owners notched up some points over the event with Marg Coates gaining high marks for her dog Bella and Graham Wilkinson also impressing judges with his dog Seamus.
Ms Lynch said more than 1000 entries were submitted by the 150 registered competitors, meaning organisers had a full schedule to work through both yesterday and Saturday.
