Woof! Dog agility goes on show in honour of mayor

Proud owners put on the show in Gosport for the borough’s mayor Lynn Hook before she leaves office.

Mark Bunyan, 49, was with his wife Allison Bunyan, 45, and their Japanese Spitz, four-year-old Blue.

‘It’s magic, it’s all about having fun with your dog, even competitions, it’s all about fun,’ Mark said.

‘There’s no seriousness at all.

‘It’s building that relationship with your dog and developing that; it’s all about positive reinforcement.’

A delighted crowd watched the display, held in a field rented by Ros Freeman’s Bark2School next to the Anglesey Bowling Club in Alverstoke.

Dedicated dog trainers had turned out at the field, which the firm has rented from Gosport Borough Council for six years, in a bid to wow Cllr Hook, who leaves the mayorship next month.

After watching the display, Cllr Hook told The News: ‘It was an amazing day.

‘The dogs as much as the humans, they were fantastic. It was a great day.’

On her year serving as the borough’s mayor, Cllr Hook added: ‘The past year has been absolutely amazing.’

Trainer Ros added: ‘The field is really, really important to us at the moment with all the dog control orders.

‘We have owners who are bringing dogs over from Serbia and they need help – the local Ark, owners bring their dogs here.’

Displays of agility were on show, with many of the owners bringing their animals to classes each week.

Nikki Roberts, 51, of Ann’s Hill Road, Gosport, had two-year-old Missy.

The working-type cocker spaniel took part in the display.

Nikki said: ‘It’s all good experience for her.

‘It’s good for me, it’s good for her to meet other dogs as well as all-round fun.’

Owner Iris Davis, 67, of Netherton Road, Gosport, was running Echo, a five-year-old working-type cocker spaniel, across the course.

Iris said: ‘We have a lot of fun. It’s all about having fun with our dogs.

‘I’ve been doing it for three years. They’re active dogs and you need to use up their energy and I was wanting something to do together.’