HOOPERS   

This new sport called HOOPERS is a natural for the Pyrenean Shepherd and so much fun!
Hoopers is a sport that originally developed in America from NADAC competitions. It is an evolving young sport in which the dog learns to run a course following the instructions of the handler. An intimate understanding and communication between the handler and dog builds as the learning of the sport progresses. Hoopers is suitable for dogs aged 4 months and older, small to large.  It is excellent physical exercise for dogs and excellent cognitive exercise for the owner.  

The dog is biomechanically designed to go forwards and Hoopers embraces this. The dog does not  jump any obstacles and moves in their natural forward motion with no sharp turn working in harmony with the design of the animal.  A barrel which the dog runs past or around, a bottomless tunnel with a very large diameter allows larger dogs to safely pass through, and the Hoops with no bars along the ground requiring any jumping or change of pace. During the lessons we follow a calm structure while learning all the equipment and verbal directions. Gradually we combine more and more equipment, more distance between the equipment and increase the distance between you and your dog. The dog learns to work at a distance from the handler and to pay close attention to the handler's body language and voice.   The handler is challenged in the sport by restricting their movement to a handler's box area in the field and the distance created between the dog, obstacles and the handler.

Hoopers is above all FUN and develops a trusting and working relationship between dog and handler like no other sport. Since 2021, a group of enthusiasts in Europe have been busy making Hoopers an international sport and now the FCI has recognized hoopers as an official sport. The sport was recently highlighted at the U.K. Crufts show, and many Canadians have been discovering and enjoying the new challenges and benefits of the sport. The emphasis is on an error-free, flowing runs and not on the fastest time. This way everyone has an equal chance at completing a successful trial whether you have a fast dog or a dog that walks quietly.
An excellent video to get you and your dog started on learning HOOPERS! https://youtu.be/irrZVhCGKpU?si=VdylPHq7Jx9eRlA_



Here is a random example of the sport being practiced by all sizes of dogs:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLClUyszh3c
There is more information and lots of videos on YouTube or  Facebook  Group:  
There is more information at this website dedicated to teaching the sport:




 
Popup Garden Barrels, Laundry Barrels or Plastic Barrels
all are perfectly good for practicing as are a garbage can or pylon.
  THE  BARREL

 

THE  GATE

This gate is made from the plastic PVC frame of a child's goalie net.  The netting can be made from any type of available net material. The bottom rail can be removed and "T" legs added (like the hoop legs).  It is easy to design any square PVC frame and add the legs.  
4' x 4' is regulation size for competitions.







THE  HOOPS




 
The AL PEX tubing above is perfect for making baseless Hoops because it has an aluminum lining and will hold its shape whereas regular PEX plumbing pipe is just a suitable but will give you a more rounded hoop.  The aluminum lined AL PEX pipe can be ordered online or inquire with a construction company that installs under-floor heating pipe in houses and see if they have any scrap lengths.  I had no difficulty sharing a roll of it with other Hooper enthusiasts as the sport is growing in popularity.  One roll makes about 90
hoop arches which seems a lot but I'm using up my second  600' roll now!  

Regular 1/2" PEX flexible plumbing pipe can also be used and will do the job suitably as will a plastic hoola hoop.  



Hoops are 36" high and 34-36" wide for regulation competitions.

 
This 3/4 " CPVC pipe is only available at Home Hardware.   One 10' piece of PVC pipe will make
two Hoops with the tennis ball on one leg, or one Hoop with two pairs of feet.




Finished Hoops are 36" tall and 36" wide at the base.

TIP:  if you put a slight bend in the AL PEX before inserting it into the PVC it will cause tension and remain in place and will not slide out when moving the hoops to different locations in the field.

If  you cannot find any flexible PEX tubing with the aluminum lining then another 1/2" flexible PEX water supply tubing will work or a hoola-hoop will also make a colourful Hoop arch!  The above type of Hoop does need the bottom base rail to retain its shape.


 

The  TUNNEL


Start with  the     

An excellent 1.5 m (regulation) x 30"  tunnel can be obtained from Kijiji or Marketplace on Facebook or on Kijiji.  Search for "Ikea Bed Tent" and you will find lots of them for sale as they are sold with Ikea children's bunk bed sets and soon the children tire of their tents so they pop up on the For Sale sites.
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I revamp them for the extra strength and stability I need for transporting them to different locations for teaching.  By replacing the thin plastic hoops with the aluminum lined plastic PEX pipe and by replacing the thin plastic spine that runs along the top with a wooden dowel,  it creates a tunnel that is very strong.  To that I attach two 5'   2"x2" pieces of wood to the bottom clamps. So now it is stable top and bottom and easily shaped to whatever size and width you require.  The plastic support rods are easily removed and the whole tent can be rolled up for transport.

Another Option for making your own tunnel at home: 
https://youtu.be/kEODfgze95A?si=GsVWqb21gWiOlYcL

2nd  TUNNEL DESIGN  - 80 cm x 80 cm



Using an Ikea Bed Tent you can redesign the supports to make a 5' long tunnel.  Remove all original plastic spine and ribs.
Requires lengthening the bed tent,  replacing original spine with wooden dowel and ribs with AL PEX  pipe.  Central Vacuum Pipe for base.

     

Cut off the elastic and plastic grips on the Ikea Bed Tent.  Draw a 3" line up from the hem of the tent.  Cut two pieces of fabric 10" x 54"


 

Fold fabric in half and pin to bottom of bed tent.  Sew straight seam  1/4-1/2" from mark.  
I purchased the Central Vacuum pipe from Home hardware for $11.  It is 10' long and you can cut it into two 5' pieces.

 
Drill 3 holes in each piece of 5' pipe.  Measure and drill holes in central vac pipe starting at the 2" mark,  28" mark & 58 1/4" .



Cut 3 pieces of 1/2" AL PEX pipe, each 78 1/4" long.  Insert in Ikea Bed Tent with the base rails.  Cut two holes for middle rib.
Then install "spine" which can be a wooden dowel or a straight wooden stick 54.5" to 55" long to make whole structure taut.

contact us for more HOOPERS info and instruction!
amblecroft@gmail.com



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