60  THE NEW BARKER 
www.TheNewBarker.com
For over 28 years, Purina Pro Plan has given incredible canine athletes the platform to 
showcase their abilities. In April, Purina hosted its Incredible Dog Challenge 2026 
Eastern Regional at Coachman Park in Clearwater, Florida. Dogs of all breeds and sizes 
competed in Agility, Diving Dog, Incredible Weave, Freestyle Flying Disc, and Fetch It.       
Check out more canine sporting events at www.YouTube.com/@purina
Speed. Precision. Teamwork. 
In dog agility, the dog/handler team must 
complete the designated obstacle course as 
fast as possible with as few mistakes as 
possible. The course is made up of a variety 
of jumps, A-frames, tunnels, suspended 
hoops, teeter-totter, and weave poles. The 
handler guides their dog through the course 
using hand and voice commands. Faults or 
small mistakes may include knocking the 
bars off an agility hurdle, missing a weave 
pole, or going off course. Each dog/handler 
team gets to run through the course twice, 
keeping the fastest time. An agility winner 
will be awarded for both the Small Dog 
Division and the Large Dog Division.
They Believe They Can Fly 
Dogs spring down a 40-foot stage before launching into a pool, aiming for a 
record breaking length as they hit the water.  Top dogs are pushing the limits 
of gravity, flying through the air 30 feet or more before splashing down in the 
pool. Each dog has two chances to leap as far forward. Jumps are performed in 
rounds, meaning all competitors jump once, then return in the same order for 
the second jump. The dog/handler team takes their place at the starting 
position on one end of a 40-foot runway or dock. Once ready, the handler will 
cue the dog to start his run. The dog will race down the platform and jumps 
into the pool. The handler may use a bumper, tennis ball or other toy or object 
to entice their dog to jump, but the object must be thrown into or towards the 
water. It cannot be held up for the dog to grab as he jumps. Each competitor 
has 60 seconds to complete their jump. Distance is measured by where the 
furthest extremity of the dog enters the water first.
To Dogs, It’s All 
Just Fun & Games
Photography by Rick Anson

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