Tenterden & District DTC Agility Training Class Updates

14/11/2025

🐾 Already Have Agility Experience? Come Train With Us!

If you and your dog have done agility before or you're looking to up your game for the next competition, we’d love to welcome you to Tenterden Agility Club!

Here’s what you’ll love about joining us:

✔ Kennel Club Affiliated – safety and quality guaranteed

✔ Accredited Instructors – passionate trainers who compete nationally (and yes, we’ve competed at Crufts!)

✔ Expert Leadership – our head trainer is a Kennel Club Agility Judge

✔ Modern Equipment & Safe Surfaces – because your dog deserves the best. The equipment you see at shows is what you will train on at Tenterden including soft wall and long jump, aluminium contacts, fully non slip tunnels and breakaway tyres.

✔ A Supportive Community – train, laugh, and learn together

Whether you’re looking to have fun with your dog, refresh your skills, get back into the sport, or aiming to compete, we’ll help you get there and may just have a class waiting for you!

📩 Message us today to check availability or join our waiting list. Let’s get you and your dog back on course!

14/11/2025

🐾 Can Dogs Under 12 Months Do Agility?

We get this question a lot—here’s what you need to know!
✅ What can puppies do?
We are now considering dogs under 12 months old. We will assess each dog on an individual basis, with priority being given to dogs 10 months+ as well as space in our current classes. Our beginner classes focus on fun, safe foundational skills like:

Building drive & play
Body awareness
Flatwork
Strengthening the bond between you and your pup

No jumping or weaving yet—just confidence-building and fun!

❓ Why can't dogs under 12 months do the full equipment - what's wrong with jumping, weaving and contact equipment?

Puppy joints are still developing. Jumping, weaving, and contact equipment can cause serious damage and increase the risk of hip/elbow issues. For large breeds, waiting even longer is recommended.

💡 Benefits of starting early with foundation skills (the right way):

Builds focus and confidence
Improves coordination
Creates a strong working relationship with you
Prepares your pup for agility later
Builds body awareness - many dogs don't know they have 4 paws!

⚠️ Risks if you start too soon:

Joint injuries
Growth plate damage
Long-term health problems

🚨 A Word About “Fun Agility” Classes
Not all agility classes are created equal. Many “fun” classes allow dogs of all ages and often use outdated equipment, unsafe surfaces, and instructors without proper training. This can put your dog at risk.

✅ At Tenterden Agility, we are Kennel Club Affiliated and follow strict safety standards:

Accredited instructors with real competition experience (we've competed at Crufts!)
Safe, modern equipment
Non-slip, soft surfaces
Training based on the latest best practices

Agility should always be safe AND fun—and that’s what we promise!

📩 Want to get started?
Message us to check availability or join our waiting list for beginner classes.

14/11/2025

Training spaces available for all abilities including those with prior agility/competing experience. Please message for more info

08/09/2025

LAST FEW SPACES REMAINING!

Once all spaces are filled we will operate a waiting list. Whilst we try to have a new intake once a year, our last intake was 2023 due to no available spaces to take on new members so message now to avoid disappointment.

04/09/2025

BEGINNER AGILITY CLASSES - LIMITED SPACES

If you're interested in beginner agility classes with your dog, please drop us a message.

We will be starting a new beginners class next month and have limited availability. Please message to sign up. If you turn up on the night, regrettably you will be turned away, so contact us now for more info and to confirm your place.

Or, visit our website for more info: https://tenterdenagility.co.uk/

05/03/2023

If you would like to join our waiting list, whether you are a complete novice or have some experience, please drop us a message. We have experience trainers that we can direct you to in the meantime for foundation training or one-to-one practice/workshops.

As one of the few KC affiliated clubs in the area, we are inundated with enquiries and we can’t always guarantee that a spot will be available immediately. Joining our waiting list and getting experience in agility with our recommended local trainers is the best way to get started in the meantime.

The trainers we recommend are all fully qualified, compete regularly and use up to date equipment and training practices to ensure that your dogs are going to be in a safe and fun environment. Training should always be done with a qualified professional that keeps up to date with the latest practices and using force-free techniques. Dogs love agility when taught correctly from day one. Forcing a dog over equipment is the best way for dogs to develop a fear and lack of drive. We encourage dogs through play and driving towards a reward. This teaches enjoyment, motivation and independence from day one.

25/05/2022

We had been hoping to start a new beginners class later this year but due to class numbers being so strong we wont be able to at the moment. A new beginners class is dependent on current class progression and spaces becoming available for current members to move up. At this time it’s not possible to run a new class.

In the meantime, if you would like to be added to our club waiting list for our next beginners class or would like recommendations for agility instructors with foundation training availability, please drop us a message or visit our website: https://tenterdenagility.co.uk/ and hit up our contact form.

Tenterden is a friendly Kennel Club registered club which caters for all types of dog and owner, whether you are wishing to compete or just enjoy an activity with your dog.

09/11/2021

Welcome to Tenterden & District Dog Training Club Class Updates page. Here you will find information on our upcoming beginner courses and any space availability.

If you are looking for a fun and friendly agility club for your dog then look no further! We are a Kennel Club accredited agility club based in Hastings, East Sussex and we train indoors on Wednesday nights at Beauport Riding School. We offer lessons for all abilities, whether you are just starting out and looking for a fun activity to bond with your dog or you are more experienced and seeking to improve your handling technique and compete.

We cater to all dogs and abilities however we ask that your dog is at least 12 months old and have a good standard of fitness and obedience prior to starting.

If you are interested in joining Tenterden DTC and would like more info on our upcoming training courses, please drop us a message or contact us via our club website. Due to the high level of interest, our courses fill up fast and we operate a waiting list so please contact us early to avoid disappointment!