What makes hoopers such an enjoyable dog sport and what challenges do handlers meet along the way? To explore these questions, Happy Hoopers conducted a survey (2024) among hoopers enthusiasts across Europe, asking them to share their experiences of training and competing in the sport.
The responses highlighted the joy of working together with your dog, the possibilities of distance handling and the importance of building strong foundational skills. They also revealed some familiar challenges - from teaching independence to finding the right handling cues and timing.
In this article, we'll explore what European hoopers handlers enjoy most about the sport, the challenges they encounter and their advice for anyone starting their hoopers journey.
What is hoopers?
Hoopers is a dog sport where dogs navigate a course of hoops, tunnels, barrels and gates, guided by their handler from a designated handling area. The aim is to complete the course smoothly and accurately, with the dog responding to both verbal and physical cues.
One of the distinctive features of hoopers is distance handling. As the handler stays within a limited area, the dog learns to work independently, follow directional cues and move smoothly from one obstacle to the next.
Hoopers courses are designed to encourage flowing movement. The sport offers opportunities to develop communication, confidence and teamwork between dog and handler with plenty of room for learning and progressing together.
Background of the Respondents
The survey showed that most respondents were from France (45%), followed by Belgium (15%) and the Czech Republic (10%). There were also few respondents from Estonia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom. Almost all respondents were involved in canine hoopers themselves as handlers (95%), with many also serving as coaches (60%) and one as a judge.
Among those training canine hoopers, the majority owned Border Collies (45%), with a few owning Malinois. Other breeds mentioned included Boston Terrier, Tricolor Czech Dog, Beagle, Belgian Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Kelpie, Springer Spaniel, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Welsh Terrier, White Shepherd and Poodle. Some respondents owned multiple dogs of the same or different breeds.
What’s Best About Hoopers?
When asked what they loved most about hoopers agility, respondents emphasized the connection with their dog, the sport’s suitability for a wide range of dogs and handlers and the pure fun of it. Several respondents had previously engaged in agility and transitioned to hoopers due to their dog’s retirement or their own physical limitations. Hoopers is seen as a safer, less physically demanding alternative to traditional agility.
"It is so great to see the synergy you can create with your dog with distance handling. Additionally, it is really an inclusive dog sport for all handlers and all breeds."
Building confidence, independence and teamwork
Another benefit mentioned by respondents was how hoopers training develops a dog's independence, confidence and ability to respond to cues at a distance. Handlers also described learning more about how their dogs think, learn and respond to different training approaches. Hoopers is seen as an excellent way to build trust and strengthen the bond between dog and handler.
Some handlers of sensitive and reactive dogs mentioned that hoopers is a safe and effective activity for building a dog’s confidence. Another benefit highlighted was that hoopers helps maintain the dog’s physical condition, allowing safe movement without the pressure of time constraints, so the dog can move at a pace suited to their needs.
"..one can make it as challenging and high-tech as one wants 😊! It’s always fun 🤩"
Easy to start and plenty to explore
Respondents pointed out that getting started with hoopers can be surprisingly simple. You can practise many foundational skills in your own backyard with just a few obstacles. As your dog's skills develop, the same equipment can be used to create increasingly varied and challenging exercises.
The international hoopers community was another positive aspect mentioned in the survey. Sharing experiences and training ideas with handlers from different countries offers new perspectives and inspiration.
» Get inspired: Versatile hoopers training with just a few obstacles (blog article)
The Challenges of Hoopers
Although hoopers is relatively easy to get started with, developing the skills needed for more advanced courses takes time and practice. European handlers highlighted several challenges, particularly when it comes to distance handling, communication and teaching dogs to work independently.
Building distance and independence
One of the most common challenges mentioned by respondents was teaching dogs to work confidently at a distance from their handlers. Some dogs naturally prefer to stay close, while others are more comfortable moving away but may need additional training to follow directional cues accurately.
Building independence involves teaching dogs to understand their tasks, respond to cues and maintain confidence even when their handler is further away.
Developing clear communication and handling skills
Distance handling also places demands on the handler. Timing, consistent cues, course analysis and the ability to anticipate the dog's movement all play an important role in successful hoopers handling.
“Timing! Right word, right move at the correct moment.”
Handlers need to develop their observation and decision-making skills while learning how to adapt their handling to different courses and situations.
Finding suitable training opportunities
Respondents also mentioned practical challenges, including access to training facilities, experienced coaches and opportunities to compete. As hoopers continues to develop across Europe, the availability of training and competitions varies between countries.
Despite these challenges, many handlers described the learning process as one of the most rewarding aspects of the sport. There is always something new to explore, whether you are working on basic skills or preparing for more advanced courses.
» Looking for ways to make your hoopers training more varied? Discover: One hoopers setup - 50 possibilities to adjust it (blog article)
“For the sport in general, I think the challenge will be to advance the sport in a way that it still stays inclusive so that it doesn't get Border Collie-dominated like agility.”
Tips for New Hoopers Enthusiasts
What advice would experienced hoopers handlers give to someone just starting out? The responses from European enthusiasts highlighted the importance of building a strong foundation, enjoying the learning process and progressing at a pace that suits both dog and handler.
“Forget the pressure and enjoy the time with your dog!”
Start with the basics
Take time to teach your dog the individual obstacles and develop clear communication before combining several tasks into longer sequences. Skills such as following directional cues, working independently and responding confidently at a distance will become increasingly important as your hoopers training progresses.
You can start practising with just a few obstacles and gradually introduce new challenges as your dog's understanding develops.
“Repeat, repeat, and repeat. Don’t give up. Give your dog time and progress at your own pace.”
Keep training enjoyable
Find ways to make training rewarding for both you and your dog. Short, varied sessions and achievable challenges can help maintain motivation and build confidence.
Every dog learns differently, so be prepared to adjust your training approach and celebrate progress along the way.
“ The connection with your dog is the most important - hoopers can help develop it.”
Learn, experiment and develop your handling skills
Experienced handlers encouraged beginners to stay curious, seek guidance and explore different ways of training. Developing your own handling skills is an important part of hoopers, too.
“Remember, you’re practicing with your best friend—your dog is always reading your actions, so don’t blame them for your handling errors.”
As you and your dog become more confident with individual skills, you can gradually start combining them into longer sequences. There are several ways to approach this, depending on your dog's skills and your training goals.
“Keep in mind that your dog is always doing their best relative to their abilities and yours.”
» Want to explore how to progress from individual skills to longer sequences? Read From individual hoopers skills to longer sequences (blog article)
Discover more about hoopers
The experiences shared by European hoopers enthusiasts show just how many different aspects there are to enjoy and explore in this dog sport. From building confidence and independence to developing handling skills, hoopers offers plenty of opportunities for both dogs and handlers to learn together.
Whether you're just getting started or already have some experience, there's always something new to try!
Looking for hoopers training ideas?
Happy Hoopers offers two digital exercise books with a total of 213 hoopers exercises to inspire your training.
Hoopers exercises with 1-6 obstacles includes 135 exercises for practising individual skills, developing distance handling and creating varied training sessions with a small number of obstacles.
Hoopers exercises with 5-8 obstacles includes 78 exercises for combining skills, practising longer sequences and developing your handling.
Explore the exercises and find new ideas for your next training session!
Happy Hoopers is a website designed for hoopers enthusiasts and trainers, offering information about hoopers and related topics. The founder of Happy Hoopers is Tiina Wikström, a hoopers coach from Finland. Happy Hoopers publishes also posts about hoopers on Substack in Finnish.
