Small Dog Agility? Yes!!

Small Dog Agility? Yes!!

Shauna Oliver, Agility Trainer and World Champion

INTERVIEWED BY Kathy Wigal, CCA West Region Vice President | April 7, 2025

Reprinted with permission from the Chihuahua Club of America.
Originally published in the Chi Chatter Summer 2025 issue.

What started as a hobby in 2010 for Shauna Oliver turned into a passion, and then a career. Seven years of vast behavior modification work with shelter dogs has given her a unique ability to help Agility clients become the best they can be, on and off the field. Shauna and her dogs compete nationally and internationally, garnering multiple gold medals from
world championships.

Through her high-demand workshops, training sessions, and competition experiences, Shauna has trained a variety of breeds—Chihuahuas and Papillons, German Shepherd Dogs and Border Collies, mixes and shelter rescues, and everything in between. Her own experiences, good and bad, have helped her understand the differences between running small and large dogs, and have helped her develop techniques to best serve each of her clients.

Through a combination of verbal and physical cues, Shauna strives to create optimal understanding from the dog. Her dogs’ understanding of their verbal cues, and the highest level of proofing (testing the behavior in different situations), allows her to get through some of the trickiest of obstacle sequences, even at
significant distance!

CHI CHATTER: Shauna, we are delighted you could join the Chi Chatter for a guest interview. I have been in several of your workshops now and was pleasantly surprised to find other small dogs—even another Chihuahua—in my session! How did you get involved in Agility and training?

Shauna Oliver: I started Agility because I had a dog who needed extra stimulation. I started very casually, but really enjoyed it. I saw improvements in my dog’s level of confidence, and a decreased level of hyperactivity and frustration in everyday life. I decided to become a trainer because I liked helping dogs and owners better understand and become more in sync with one another.

We see a lot of Herding breeds when we watch Agility Trials. Can small dogs, Chihuahuas in particular, really be competitive in the sport?

Shauna Oliver: Agility competitions divide dogs into different categories, depending on their height at the withers, so dogs like Chihuahuas would be competing against other breeds of similar sizes such as Papillons, Jack Russells, Yorkies, etc.

Chihuahuas can be competitive in their class if they have the motivation to play with their owners. In order to effectively train Agility, your dog needs to have some sort of motivation for reinforcement such as play, praise, food, or toys. If your dog has motivation for any of these, you can train your dog, big or small, to do Agility.

Do all dogs compete on the same equipment? Are the courses and obstacles the same?

Shauna Oliver: The specifics will depend on the organization, but yes, small dogs compete on the same equipment. They would jump a lower bar and may compete in a Preferred class in AKC, which allows for a lower A-Frame as well. The courses are the same for large and small dogs.

How do you approach training for small breeds such as Chihuahuas?

Shauna Oliver: Small dogs have to work harder running the course. Their strides are smaller, requiring more strides between obstacles. This allows the handler to redirect between obstacles more easily, but also makes it easier for the dog to decide not to take an obstacle and to pull off the line.

Ensuring you are not overworking your small dog and taking breaks is key, as they are working harder and running more!

If someone wants to get started on Agility, what do your recommend as the first steps?

Shauna Oliver: Create a foundation by building a relationship where your dog wants to work for you. Teach general obedience. Play with your dog with and without toys. Take your dog with you and get them comfortable in new places.

Many of our dogs are still involved in Conformation. Can they be training Agility at the same time? Will they be confused?

Shauna Oliver: Many dogs in Conformation successfully do other sports. Dogs are good at figuring out what they are doing within the context of the sport. For example, you do not need to teach your dog “sit” to do Agility. You can always start the course in a stand-stay!

Teach cues for the behaviors you are looking for, so your dog is not guessing and offering. If you want them to stand in Conformation, teach them to stand on cue as well.

How do I locate a good trainer?

Shauna Oliver: You can go to a local competition, talk to the competitors and ask around. There are also social media groups that often have trainers mentioned. Be sure to look for someone who focuses on foundation and doesn’t get your dog on the equipment too quickly.

What equipment do I need to train my dog?

Shauna Oliver: You do not need formal Agility equipment at home to train your dog. You can practice using general household items! If you wanted one piece, a jump would be the most valuable as it is the most frequently taken obstacle in Agility.

How old does my dog need to be to start training? Can I still train an older dog?

Shauna Oliver: You can start foundations at 8 weeks old. Your dog should not be jumping height or doing obstacles until their growth plates close. We usually recommend waiting until a year old. There is a lot of foundation work to do before your dog is a year old and can do all the equipment, so you will be busy! Don’t worry if your dog is older; you can start at any age. Even an older dog can learn, or do modified versions.

How do I know when I am ready to compete?

Shauna Oliver: Your dog is ready to compete when they are 15-18 months old, depending on the organization. You should have proficient skills training, and your dog should be comfortable working in environments with new people and dogs. Rings are fenced, but there will be people and dogs on the outside of the ring that your dog can see. There will also be people in the ring with you—the ring crew and judge. Dogs who leave their handlers and show aggression towards people are not a good fit for competition, but minor dog reactivity can be managed.

Shauna, thank you for taking time to talk with the Chi Chatter today. Many of our members have a number of dogs competing in other sports—including Agility! We look forward to highlighting some of these in future issues.

You can reach Shauna at:

In-Sync Dog Training, insyncdogtraining.com