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Persatuan Agiliti Anjing Pulau Pinang (PAA) is a non-profit organization formed in October 2000 to promote the sport of dog agility and obedience in Malaysia. As on 31st December 2009, PAA has a total of 60 members. PAA offers weekly dog training classes and organizes competitions in dog agility and obedience. Each year, besides regular trials, PAA organizes around five major tournaments.
In May 2009, PAA became a member of the International Federation of Cynological Sports (IFCS), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Russia. The IFCS was founded as a union of national dog sports organizations. One of the main goals of the IFCS is the development of dog sport at an international level, its integration to the international sports system and the Olympic movement. To support this goal, PAA plans to organize an International Agility Championship in December 2010 in Penang. We will invite judges from Australia, Japan and Singapore to judge the 1st International Agility Championship in Malaysia. Dogs-handlers from the neighbouring countries are invited to participate too.
What is Dog Agility?
Dog agility is a competitive dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. It is a competition, where the dog’s fitness and the handler's skills in training and directing the dog are tested. An agility course consists of a series of obstacles laid out in a large ring. These obstacles may include a variety of hurdles, tyre-jumps, tunnels, ramps, a pause-table, a seesaw and weave-poles.
Dog Training offered By PAA
At PAA, our training techniques are based on positive reinforcement where the dog is rewarded for performing the required action. We welcome all healthy dogs regardless of breed. PAA provides two types of training classes – Agility Training and Obedience Training. Our weekly classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays.
Agility - Our agility training is opened to dogs above 12 months of age that have completed basic obedience training. At the beginners’ level, dogs will learn each piece of agility equipment. Subsequently, the training will be tailored to suit the level of ability of individual dogs.
Obedience - For basic obedience training, we normally have new intakes every two months. Dogs must be at least 6 months old to join. Our Basic Obedience Course consists of 12 classes. At the end of the course the dog will sit for our Canine Social Adaptability Test (CSAT).
Summary of CSAT Competencies
1. Heeling on a loose leash.
2. Accepting a friendly stranger.
3. Accept petting by friendly stranger.
4. Accept handling by friendly stranger.
5. Obey the sit, down and stay commands.
6. Reaction to distractions.
7. Obey the "Come" command.
8. Reaction to another dog.
9. Walking through a crowd.
10. Supervised separation.
Titles offered by PAA
PAA has a comprehensive and diverse certification program for dog agility and obedience. PAA offers 9 agility titles and 4 obedience titles. Titles are letters added to the end of a dog's name to signify that a dog has achieved a certain standard. Other PAA awards include: Silver Medal, Gold Medal, Platinum Medal, ‘Agility Dog of the Year’, ‘Agility Handlers Cup’ and the annual ‘Dog Obedience Challenge Trophy’.
Agility Titles:
1. Malaysian Agility Champion ( M.A.CH)
2. Malaysian Agility Grand Champion (M.A.Gr CH)
3. Gamblers Dog (GD)
4. Gamblers Dog Excellent (GDX)
5. Master Gamblers Dog (MGD)
6. Veteran Agility Dog (V.A.D)
7. Jumping Dog Excellent (JDEx)
8. Master Jumping Dog (MJD)
9. Agility Games Specialist (A.G.SP)
Obedience Titles:
1. Malaysian Obedience Champion (M.OB.CH)
2. Malaysian Agility Grand Champion (M.OB.Gr CH)
3. 3, Utility Dog (UD)
4. Utility Dog Excellent (UDX)
Funding
PAA is a non-profit organization and is run entirely by volunteers. All our staff, including the instructors for our training classes and the judges and officials for our competitions, volunteer their time and expertise without pay. PAA’s main sources of funding are: membership fees and fees collect from training classes. All the committee members ( 8 in total) has contributed money and time to organize activities. Thus far, we have been fortunate that Dalat International School has so kindly allowed us to use their field for our training classes. In terms of sponsorship, we are grateful to the dog food companies that have donated dog food as prizes for our competitions. However, the association still struggles to cover, amongst other expenses, the weekly transportation cost for agility equipment and the cost of renting competition venues. In our continuous efforts in promoting dog agility we appreciate any help we can get. Donations or event sponsorships are greatly welcomed.
Contact Information:
Email contact:
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Phone contact: +6012-4015882
Website: www.agility-penang.com
