Across the dog walk, through the tire jump and down the tottering see-saw. "Good girl," Sophie and Annie and Molly and Ginger. A round of doggie treats to all.

A yipping good time was had by all Saturday morning as dogs and owners panted their way through an agility course in Toms Creek Park.

Andrea Lengi, owner of All-American Dog Sports in Blacksburg, set up the course and held the all-day event with husband Joel Herbein. It was their fourth "Show-n-Go" since Lengi launched her business this spring.

The couple moved from Mebane, N.C., three years ago and found a dearth of local pooch activities.

Lengi, a laboratory specialist at Virginia Tech's College of Veterinary Medicine who was a dog-training manager for the Animal Protection Society in Mebane, got involved with dog-agility training after bringing her first mutt, Sprout, to classes and entering him in competitions.

"Over, over, here, good girl!" Judy Sexton shouted to Ginger, her 6-year-old golden retriever.

Sexton and her husband, Odell, brought their two retrievers from Marion to run the course. They started Ginger in an obedience class when she was 15 weeks old because she was "very excitable." She was the only dog in the class who would go through an agility tunnel.

"In and out, in and out," she went, Sexton said. "And I thought, 'Hey, she likes this stuff.'"

Ginger is ranked in the "excellent" agility category by the American Kennel Club. The Sextons' other retriever, Molly, whom they adopted two years ago, is a "novice."

Sexton was thrilled at having a nearby place to rehearse for dog trials, or officially sanctioned competitions.

About 11 people, with their four-legged friends, were at the event by 11 a.m.

Owners paid $4 for one run, $15 for 5 runs, and $25 for 10 runs. Rules were more lax than at some courses because dogs were allowed to go back to missed obstacles, and owners could bring toys and treats into the ring.

Rosie Higdon reached into her pocket for some Pupperonis to reward Annie, a 6-year-old golden retriever. Higdon enters Annie in agility competitions, so she appreciated a little extra practice time.

"It's like a scrimmage as we get ready for our fall season," Higdon said.

For more information on All-American Dog Sports, contact Lengi at 552-8373 or by e-mail at info@allamericandogsports.com or go onto the Web at www.allamericandogsports.com.