16th - 18th May 2025
Hylands House, Chelmsford, CM2 8WQ

Have-a-go Activities

NEWARK SHOWGROUND

Bring your dog and have fun together at this year’s have-a-go-activities*! It’s a great chance to bond with your dog and learn something new – or if you’ve tried the activities before, you can build on your skills together. If you enjoy yourselves, make sure you speak to the team running the activity as they may run a club that you can join too! 

*activities subject to change and small additional charges may apply.
Please bring cash for donations as not all charities/clubs have access to card machines.

AGILITY

Discover the joy of agility with the aid of the instructors from the Trent Valley Dog Training Club. Run your dog on or off lead around the flowing and inviting course over jumps, through tunnels and over the contact equipment. Suitable for all dogs over one year. No experience necessary as help is given to ensure you all enjoy your agility experience. Activity is run by the Trent Valley Dog Training Club.

DOCK DIVING

Come along and let your dog have a go and get super wet in this increasingly popular sport. Remember to bring your camera as you are sure to get some good shots of dogs flying through the air! Activity is run by K9 Aqua Sports.

BARN HUNT

This ‘scentwork with attitude’ activity uses the natural instincts of your dog to locate scented tubes hidden amongst bales. Dogs love to use their amazing noses and thrill at the opportunity to ‘play’ at hunting as barn hunt mimics hunting for rats in a barn. The scentwork aspect satisfies many natural desires of your canine companions, releasing happy hormones and exercising their brains as they use their senses to ignore the dummy tubes and locate the scent tube. Activity is run by BTAC Dog Training.

HOOPERS

Hoopers is a fun and engaging sport where dogs negotiate hoops, tunnels and barrels in a flowing and inviting course. With no jumps or tight turns, the sport is accessible for all. We teach you how to help your dog understand ‘hoop value’, how to run through the 80cm wide tunnels and run round the barrels, all in the course order. On or off lead, no experience necessary, suitable for dogs and puppies from 6 months. Activity is run by the BTAC Dog Training.

DIGGER’S DELIGHT

You’ve heard of a lucky dip – well this is a lucky ‘dig’!  Your dog can dive into the fun ball pool for dogs, sniff through the balls and hunt for delicious hidden treats! It’s enrichment, exercise and pure joy all rolled into one – perfect for curious noses and wagging tails. Activity is run by AdoptaPaws UK Rescue.

SCENTWORK

Did you know that inside your dog’s nose, there are about 300 million smell receptors, compared to a human’s six million? Join us in our special Scentwork Have-a-Go activity area, where you and your dog can try out a mini scentwork assault course. Activity is run by Kassie Woods from Surrey Dog Behaviour.

HEELWORK TO MUSIC

Join six times Crufts winner Nicci Hindson and her dog Elsa for some have-a-go Heelwork to Music fun at the All About Dogs Show Newark. Nicci and Elsa have represented team GB eight times in total and have had many successes including three team golds, three team silvers and an individual vice world champion. Get some top tips from Nicci as you learn some heelwork to music moves with your dog. Nicci Hindson is also known as Strictly Canine HTM.

FLYBALL

Flyball is a fun, fast sport for you and your dog (any breed, any size), as long as dogs are over 12 months old they can play flyball. If your dog loves a tennis ball and being active or if you’re looking for an activity you and your dog can do together, have a go at this increasingly popular dog sport. Join in the Flyball fun from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm. Activity is run by the Trent Valley Dog Training Club.

SCURRIES

The Gundog Scurry is the ultimate have-a-go activity for dogs of all shapes, sizes and skill levels. This fast-paced, high-energy event is designed to test your dog’s natural retrieving instincts and speed. Your dog will race against the clock to retrieve a dummy or tennis ball and bring it back as fast as they can. It’s all about having fun, building confidence and seeing if your dog has the fastest paws in the field. Activity is run by Meadowlark Field Dogs.

LURE RACING

Take on the lure challenge at our 2026 show! Lure Racing is where dogs chase an artificial lure across a field – see if your dog can get the fastest time in this year’s lure race. Activity is run by the Yorkshire Hoopers Club.

MINI AGILITY

Designed with smaller dogs in mind, mini-agility gives dogs and their owners the chance to have a go at an adapted agility obstacle course suitable for small breeds. Activity is run by Pug Life Rescue.

TOMBOLA DASH

The fastest times within each hour will win a prize. Fastest dog of the day wins a rosette. Activity is run by the Notts & Yorkshire Boxer Rescue.

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