When it comes to national dog agility competitions, Hawaii has not exactly been on the map.

Les Saito and his Shetland sheepdog Jump for Joy might change that for the better.

Saito’s lithe and lively female dog, otherwise known as JJ, certainly lives up to her name.

After every run through the obstacle course set up one Sunday on the lawn of Salt Lake Elementary School, she excitedly barks and leaps at Saito, who, as her handler, skillfully guides JJ through the course at a quick pace.

"Quick pace" is an understatement. It’s more like "breakneck speed." As she vaults over bars, weaves in and out between poles and darts through a collapsible tunnel, JJ has averaged an impressive 6 yards per second through any given course. It seems her cumulative times are worthy of elite competition.

And JJ and Saito are proving just that in the national arena. At the 2012 American Kennel Club National Agility Championship held last month in Reno, Nev., JJ placed fourth overall out of 160-plus dogs competing in the small, 12-inch height category.

Because of her impressive showing, JJ attracted the attention of AKC/USA world team coach Nancy Gyes of San Jose, who was on Oahu teaching workshops last month.

Saito and JJ tried out this month for the U.S. team in Hopkins, Minn., but fell short of making the world team that will compete in the Agility World Championship in October, held this year in the Czech Republic.

"I’m pleased with what happened, although we didn’t get the results we wanted," Saito said. "We just need more seasoning. We’ve only been at this for a year."

Saito — who is single and an electrical engineer with A-1 A-Lectrician — got interested in dog agility because of his first dog, a papillon named Rocky. "I was told he had too much energy, so this was a way for him to work it out. Agility training is something that is predisposed to the dog’s makeup," Saito said.

Rocky still competes occasionally as a master agility champion, and he remains a beloved pet of Saito’s, the alpha male to the female JJ, who turns 5 in July.

"Les and JJ are a well-qualified team," Gyes said. "He and she are a good match. He keeps the dog fit and healthy, and since JJ placed in the top 10 in Reno, it shows the two of them can hold their own. Les in particular is learning not only to beat the course, but nerves and the other handlers. He’s learning how to win."

It’s this engineerlike approach that has made Saito a particularly good handler. You can see his skill in action as he is in constant motion guiding JJ: He gives short, one-word directions, his arm extended and index finger pointing.

"To be educated as an engineer of any sort, you have to diagnose and objectively sort out of problems, so it’s been helpful," he said.

At the national team trials, Saito said, "JJ did great. She ran exactly how I guided her. The faults we had was due to my not giving her a clear signal of where to go, so she went off course at times."

"Barring any injuries on either of our part, we plan to return to nationals next year in Tulsa, Okla.," he said.

And it won’t be for lack of trying. Back at the school lawn, Saito cradles the small dog in the crook of his arm after three consecutive runs.

"You’re a killer," he tells her affectionately.

ON THE NET:

» www.hawaiianagility.com
» www.akc.org