Dog Agility Training for Fun

Dog agility is a sport in which handler directs a dog off-leash through obstacle course in a race for time and accuracy. Obstacle course consist of various tunnels, jumps, a tire jump, weave poles, a pause table where the dog must sit or lie down for a count of five seconds, and obstacles that the dog must climb. The first dog agility performance was as entertainment at the Crufts dog show in 1978 and became a success that is now gaining popularity worldwide. It demonstrates dog’s ability to be versatile, quick and agile. All types and breeds of dogs can join in this sport. Even children and puppies are encouraged to participate in this event. If you do not want to compete and want to join the agility just for fun, you can do so in non-competitive agility classes.

In an agility training course, training obedience is the basic key. Dogs are trained to be obedient to their owner or the handler. The dogs must know and obey the different commands such as sit, halt or stop, lay down and other commands that can be used during the agility course. Dog agility equipment is necessary during the training. In purchasing dog agility equipment, there are things that you have to consider. First, you have to consider the dog. Use appropriate equipment for your dog’s size, breed, and age. Second, adjustable equipment is recommended to be used on your dog, this way; you can adjust it to the level of training. Go for portability of the equipment. If do not want to spend most of your time assembling the course, choose dog agility equipment that can be put together easily or already assembled.

Consult a veterinarian before starting the agility training to ensure that your dog is in good physical health and have the necessary vaccines to participate in the training. Making sure that your dog has the strength and endurance to overcome one obstacle after another. Dog agility training helps develop the bonding between the pet owner or handler and the dog. Talk to your dog and offer treats for an accomplished command or task.

What Is Dog Agility Training

Keeping a dog healthy and happy involves feeding them well and providing them with mental and physical stimulation. Some dogs are not happy with just a simple walk and they would be much happier with more strenuous exercise.

Dog agility training has that to offer in masses and the training and learning of a course will also help to feed the gray matter. One other advantage of dog agility training is that every dog loves the attention and the praise they receive so they will strive to do well and show off.

Dog agility training is not something you can undertake at home on your own unless you are very experienced and have plenty of room in your yard. Before you even start dog agility training, though, you will need to socialize your dog.

During the time you are training him in his new found sport he will meet lots of dogs and lots of new people and if he is too easily distracted by these new faces then it will take a long time to teach him anything. Obedience classes can help teach a dog the social aspects very easily.

Once your dog is socialized then you should start agility classes. At first this will entail teaching you ad your dog some of the commands you will need later.

Each obstacle will require separate training and will also be broken down into several parts in order to make it easier for you both to learn. Don't forget, you too will have a lot to learn during dog agility training because regardless of how good your dog is, if you aren't giving the right commands at the right time then you will not win any agility competitions and you will not learn anything.

Dog agility training really is physical and mental for the dog. Virtually all dogs love the opportunity to burn off steam and use their brains once in a while, even if sometimes it feels like all they want to do is sit and watch television.

Dog agility will help to improve their physical and mental health and it can do so very quickly. The more mentally physically agile dogs that take to agility much quicker are the herders and the sheep dogs. This is because they are naturally intelligent and also agile.

Don't worry, though, if you don't have one of these dogs because it is usually possible to teach agility to any dog.