Bonnie McLean, Enid, Okla., runs though an agility course with her dog Okl on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Don’t try to stop these dogs this weekend at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.

They’re fast.

And agile.

About 260 pure-bred dogs of all sizes and from across the Midwest are in town through Sunday competing in the American Kennel Club-sanctioned event where they jump over bars, run through tunnels and on top of objects.

They do it all with their nearby handler, who also gets a workout in the arena.

“Dog agility is obedience at a very fast pace,” said Joan Meyer, owner of Triune Canine Training Center in Lawrence. “The dogs must be able to listen to their owners, work off of a leash, come when called — which is very important with even a pet dog — and the dogs must be in shape to do this.”

It takes years of training for the dogs.

Brookcq, a 6-year-old golden retriever, has been training for two-and-a-half years, and she ran through the standard course three times Friday morning.

She’s a veteran in competition and very friendly.

“For her, she handles crowds and new experiences really well. She doesn’t rattle,” said Neida Heusinkvelt, of Prairie Village, who co-owns Brookcq with Sheryl Salisbury, of Merriam, who works with her on obedience.

Meyer said the dogs can use this event to try to qualify for the AKC’s national event in March.

Members of the Triune Agility Club of Lawrence and Agility Ability of Greater Kansas City organized the event, which continues from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Spectators are welcome to attend, but please don’t bring your own dogs.