Can a small dog be a big hoopers star? Inka and Mimmi share their experiences in hoopers with x-small dogs
Hoopers emphasizes distance work, obstacle focus and smooth movement which are often associated with large, fast dogs. But more and more small dogs and their handlers are discovering that this sport can be just as rewarding and exciting for them too.
In a previous article we collected insights from handlers of small dogs: what inspires them, and what challenges they’ve faced. See the previous article HERE. Now, we take a deeper dive through the stories of two passionate hoopers enthusiasts, Mimmi and Inka. They share their personal journeys, their hopes for the future of the sport and why hoopers can become a true superpower for even the tiniest of team-mates.
This article is the second part of the Small Dogs in Hoopers series, created by Tiina Wikström from Happy Hoopers and Tiinamari Harjula from Tiima Dogs Sport
Article is divided in following parts:
What got you excited about hoopers?
Mimmi and Inka found their way to hoopers through different paths, but they share a deep passion for the sport and a strong interest in developing the dog’s ability to work independently. For Mimmi, hoopers brought a sense of success as her dog learned to trust herself and confidently run further away from her handler.
“The joy in that little dog when she got to run, succeed, and zoom through the course without stressful jumps!” Mimmi
Mimmi came to hoopers from an agility background. She explains how her small and sensitive dachshund, Lilli, became uncertain around jumps, and over time, agility began to feel unfair to her. Hoopers offered an alternative: a way for Lilli to move freely and safely without the pressure of jumping. The sport not only brought back joy, but also deepened their connection. As a relatively new discipline in Finland, hoopers felt exciting and fresh to Mimmi and she describes it as stepping into "a new kind of adventure."
Inka’s enthusiasm, on the other hand, comes from the technical side of hoopers and the challenge of building distance work. She’s inspired by the way dogs learn to move confidently at greater and greater distances from their handler. She also enjoys the intellectual challenge that hoopers brings e.g. directional cues, turns, and lines that require skill and precision from both dog and handler.
“It’s fantastic to see how the dogs become more confident during training and are able to make larger and larger distances on their own.” Inka
INKA & CHIHUAHUA MIA
Inka Harms is a hoopers enthusiast from Germany. She trains hoopers with her Chihuahua girl Mia.
Inka was drawn to the sport by its unique focus on independent distance work, where dogs confidently navigate courses without staying close to their handler. She also enjoys the technical side of hoopers, especially the precision required in direction cues and angles.
You can find Inka and Mia from instagram@carlitomia_smartchihuahuas
Have you experienced any challenges along the way?
Mimmi and Inka both have faced challenges in hoopers, especially because their dogs are small in size and belong to breeds not typically associated with these kinds of sports. They’ve each had to consider how to approach the sport in a way that respects their dog’s individual needs and how to make training both effective and enjoyable.
“Balancing the challenge of training with increasing distances, while preserving confidence, has been quite difficult with a small and sensitive dog.” Mimmi
One of the most significant challenges has been building distance. Where a larger dog might cover a gap in just a couple of strides, a small dog has to take many more steps to reach the same obstacle. This places greater physical demands on the dog and also affects how they learn.
Motivation has also become a key factor. If running itself isn’t naturally rewarding for the dog, the training must be carefully structured in small steps, with plenty of positive reinforcement and success along the way. For Mimmi, maintaining that fine balance between progression and confidence-building has been especially important.
Thoughtful training design and managing physical load have been essential to success. Another recurring challenge has been finding suitable course maps for small dogs, since most ready-made exercises, especially internationally, are designed with larger dogs in mind.
“We always worked in small steps and celebrated every success, so that even my Chihuahua developed a real passion for running long distances with great speed.” Inka
What direction would you like to see the sport develop in?
Mimmi and Inka both hope to see hoopers continue to evolve into a sport that truly welcomes dogs and handlers of all types and sizes. While the sport already offers many possibilities, they believe that small dogs, especially those from less typical breeds, could benefit from further development in both practical course design and a broader awareness of their specific needs.
Mimmi would like to see more competitions and training sessions where separate course versions are planned for small and large dogs. In her view, courses are too often designed primarily for larger dogs and only later adapted (if at all) for smaller ones. She suggests that designing courses from a small dog’s perspective from the start could not only make the sport fairer, but also increase motivation among small dog handlers to participate.
“Very few courses naturally suit both large and small dogs equally well.” Mimmi
Inka’s main hope is that small dogs would feel just as welcome and capable in hoopers as large dogs do. She points out that physical size and stride length should be taken into account, especially in competitions, so that even well-trained small dogs have a fair chance to complete the course successfully.
“I hope that small dogs feel just as comfortable in hoopers as large dogs.” Inka
Mimmi adds that although certain breeds, such as herding dogs, may naturally thrive in hoopers, it’s essential to maintain and promote diversity within the sport. Hoopers should be seen as an inclusive discipline: open to dogs and handlers of all sizes, breeds and backgrounds. Achieving this requires both thoughtful course planning and a conscious effort to speak about the sport in ways that reflect its potential for everyone.
MIMMI & DACHSHUND LILLI
Mimmi Oinonen is a Finnish hoopers enthusiast and coach who trains hoopers with her Dachshund Lilli.
Hoopers captivated the pair from the very beginning, offering Lilli joy, speed and success without the uncertainty caused by jumps. Mimmi now shares her passion as a coach and follows the sport’s ongoing development in Finland with great enthusiasm.
You can follow their journey on Instagram at @dachshunds_pennylilli as well as Mimmi’s coaching account @linnys.koulutukset
(photo Morten Pettersen)
What would you say to handlers of small dogs who are interested in hoopers or already training?
Mimmi and Inka want to encourage all small dog handlers to explore hoopers with an open mind. Whether you're just starting out or already more experienced in the sport, they remind us that small size is not a barrier to success. With the right approach, tailored training and a strong partnership with your dog, hoopers can offer meaningful and joyful experiences even for the tiniest of dogs.
According to Mimmi, hoopers is an excellent choice especially for those who are interested in agility but want a safer, lower-impact sport for their small dog. She emphasizes the importance of carefully building both mutual trust between dog and handler and the dog’s self-confidence from the very beginning.
“Make hoopers your shared superpower.” Mimmi
Inka highlights that small dogs have just as much to offer as larger ones, they simply progress in their own way. She points to the value of calm, positive training and respecting each team’s individual pace. With patience and encouragement, a small dog can grow into a confident and enthusiastic hoopers partner over time.
“Always stay positive and be proud of what your small dog is doing for you.” Inka
Instead of comparing themselves to others, both Mimmi and Inka recommend focusing on your own journey and your dog’s unique strengths. Every team is different, and the most important thing is to find your own way to enjoy what the sport has to offer. Hoopers can be the very place where a small dog truly shines and where even the smallest successes grow into something big.
Summary
Both Mimmi and Inka are great examples of how even a small dog can find their place in hoopers and shine in their own unique way. They hope the sport will continue to develop into something even more accessible for dogs of all sizes and types both in training sessions and in competition. Thoughtful course design that considers different kinds of dogs, individualized progress, and breed diversity are all part of a future where hoopers is truly seen as a sport for everyone.
At the same time, they remind us that the most important thing is to enjoy the journey together and trust your dog. When we focus on our own path, support our dog’s confidence and celebrate even the smallest steps forward, we build a strong foundation: not only for progress in the sport, but also for the relationship we share with our dog.
This was the second part of Hoopers for small dogs series. You can find the first part ➡️ Survey results: Hoopers for small dogs
Happy Hoopers - for hoopers handlers and coaches
Happy Hoopers is a site designed for hoopers enthusiasts and coaches. Here you’ll find information about the sport, ideas to inspire your training, and insights that go a little beyond hoopers itself. All with the goal of helping you and your dog enjoy the journey together.
The site was founded by Tiina Wikström, a hoopers instructor, coach trainer, and mental performance coach. Tiina is passionate about supporting handlers and coaches in creating positive, motivating, and enjoyable training experiences for both dogs and humans.
Whether you’re just starting your hoopers adventure or you’re an experienced trainer looking for fresh perspectives, Happy Hoopers is here to spark your creativity and keep your sessions fun and purposeful.
Learn more: www.happyhoopers.fi
