Nursery Exercises

Up to four Exercises are offered at each show running a Nursery class: check the show's schedule. Each must be completed within 90 seconds, with the handler staying in the Skill area from the start piece of equipment to the finish. Non-competing dogs (those dogs who do not also compete at Grade 1 or above) earn an award for each Exercise completed, and progress is recorded on Hoopers Ringside. The full rules are in section 3 of the competition rules.

About the Nursery Class

Our 16 Nursery Class Exercises have been developed by Ann Watt (BIPDT, PPG) and Karen Deverill (MAPDT 00925), dog training instructors with around 40 years combined experience who have been privileged to attend workshops and seminars with inspiring dog behaviourists and leading dog sport trainers, including Sarah Fisher, Chirag Patel, Sarah Whitehead, Peter Neville, John Rogerson, Nina Bondarenko, Grisha Stewart, David Ryan, Emily Larlham and Chris Zink.

Through observing dogs at shows, Ann and Karen recognised that the show environment can be challenging for some. They created a collection of Exercises that dogs and handlers can practise in training and then run in the show environment. The Nursery Class offers partnerships an opportunity to bridge the gap between the comfort of their training environment and the more testing show ring.

The Exercises have also been chosen to help dogs and handlers develop the skills they need to compete confidently in Grade 1 classes.

The Nursery Class is also open to dogs who are already competing but may need help building confidence in the ring, as well as those who would benefit from a warm-up run to help them settle at a show.

Ann and Karen are currently developing comprehensive Trainer and Master Trainer workshops, as well as the Hoopers Award Scheme. Watch this space!

Download all 16 (PDF)

© 2026 Hoopers Together. The Exercises may be printed and shared unchanged for training, with the copyright notice kept. They may not be altered, published as your own or sold.