If you are a dog owner, odds are that you are familiar with dog agility training. There are many dog agility competitions aired on television, many of which have a loyal following of dedicated fans. If you want your dog to participate in agility training, there are a few tips that you may follow to increase your chances of success. Understanding how to train a dog in agility training takes a bit of research, a good amount of patience, and the proper equipment.
CHOOSING A DOG BREED
If you are choosing a dog breed with agility training in mind, you may want to make this choice carefully. Some dog breeds are much more suited for agility training than other breeds, which is mostly dependent on the behavioral traits of a specific dog. For example, a highly intelligent dog is usually best for agility training. An intelligent dog breed will usually be able to easily connect commands and concepts with relatively few repetitions. Since precision and speed are very important in agility training, understanding the commands and course is key to success.
In addition to this, you will want to choose a dog breed that has a relatively high activity level. This is because agility training is fairly intense, and will require a dog to be in good physical shape. Do not choose a dog breed that may develop health or joint problems if given an aggressive exercise routine.
AGILITY TRAINING COURSE
Understanding the objects used in an agility training course is very important for your dog’s training. You may expect to see a see-saw, a tire hoop, a tunnel, several jumps/hurdles and weaving poles in an agility training course. Teach your dog how to interact with these objects, guiding them through the course yourself. The first agility training lesson is usually the most difficult, though may also be the most crucial to establishing your dog’s agility training routine.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
To make the training process much easier, you may want to look into enrolling your dog in a professional agility training program. These programs may be expensive, but are often extremely effective when used to train your dog. Many dog obedience schools may have special classes dedicated specifically to agility training, so don’t be afraid to do some research. If there is a highly rated school in your area, you may want to decide if the cost of the class can be affordably integrated into your budget.
One Response to “Dog Agility Training”
My lab mix Ace and I do agility for fun. Although some dogs are more intelligent and more athletic than others, all breeds can benefit and enjoy agility!