There are many reasons why agility training is an excellent idea for your furry friend. Not only is it an excellent source of exercise, it also strengthens the bond between you and your animal and increases the overall level of obedience. There are many pieces of equipment used on agility courses, and the following is a short explanation of the most common items that you might consider buying for your animal companion.
If you are looking for a good place to start, purchasing a jump or creating your own jump can be an excellent idea. Sturdy bricks can be stacked or you can use some other small item and begin training your dog. Pre-made PVC jumps, just like the ones used at dog agility contests, can be purchased as well. These are very lightweight which means they are easier to move around than bricks or some other type of homemade jump. They also can be easily adjusted, and once your dog masters a single jump, you can add several more at varying heights.
Another type of jump that can be a lot of fun is the tire jump. This is typically a tire mounted on a PVC stand, although you can hang a tire from a tree using a sturdy rope. A pre-made tire jump can be a great option though because it's easy to transport and the stand holds the tire in place from the top and bottom, making it easier for your dog to jump through. If you have a small breed of dog, there are mini jumps and mini tire jumps that have been created so that these tinier dogs can also take part in the fun and exercise.
While it's fun to see dogs running up and down a teeter totter, the first time on this apparatus can be a bit frightening for your dog. It does move, after all, and this definitely isn't something your dog will expect at first. Start by just having your pet walk across the plank as it rests on the ground. Once that seems comfortable, you can put it on its stand at the very lowest level and lead your dog across with a treat. Eventually your dog will feel comfortable trying the teeter at greater heights.
While weaves are not scary obstacles, they are one of the most difficult to master. It takes time, praise and patience to help your dog do the weave. But once they have it, it sure is exciting to watch a dog zip through these poles. You can start out slow with a six-pole weave and then work up to a 12-pole weave. You also can opt to mount the poles in the ground or opt for a weave that rests on a stand; the latter option is easier to move around as you adjust your obstacle course.
One easy way to get going is to purchase a starter kit from an agility equipment specialist such as Carson-Agility.com. You can find starter kits that include four jumps and a weave or perhaps opt for a kit that includes a weave, a teeter and a tire jump. There is also a starter kit that substitutes four jumps for the tire jump.
If you are looking for a good place to start, purchasing a jump or creating your own jump can be an excellent idea. Sturdy bricks can be stacked or you can use some other small item and begin training your dog. Pre-made PVC jumps, just like the ones used at dog agility contests, can be purchased as well. These are very lightweight which means they are easier to move around than bricks or some other type of homemade jump. They also can be easily adjusted, and once your dog masters a single jump, you can add several more at varying heights.
Another type of jump that can be a lot of fun is the tire jump. This is typically a tire mounted on a PVC stand, although you can hang a tire from a tree using a sturdy rope. A pre-made tire jump can be a great option though because it's easy to transport and the stand holds the tire in place from the top and bottom, making it easier for your dog to jump through. If you have a small breed of dog, there are mini jumps and mini tire jumps that have been created so that these tinier dogs can also take part in the fun and exercise.
While it's fun to see dogs running up and down a teeter totter, the first time on this apparatus can be a bit frightening for your dog. It does move, after all, and this definitely isn't something your dog will expect at first. Start by just having your pet walk across the plank as it rests on the ground. Once that seems comfortable, you can put it on its stand at the very lowest level and lead your dog across with a treat. Eventually your dog will feel comfortable trying the teeter at greater heights.
While weaves are not scary obstacles, they are one of the most difficult to master. It takes time, praise and patience to help your dog do the weave. But once they have it, it sure is exciting to watch a dog zip through these poles. You can start out slow with a six-pole weave and then work up to a 12-pole weave. You also can opt to mount the poles in the ground or opt for a weave that rests on a stand; the latter option is easier to move around as you adjust your obstacle course.
One easy way to get going is to purchase a starter kit from an agility equipment specialist such as Carson-Agility.com. You can find starter kits that include four jumps and a weave or perhaps opt for a kit that includes a weave, a teeter and a tire jump. There is also a starter kit that substitutes four jumps for the tire jump.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. For additional information about agility equipment for dogs or to learn more about other equipment such as dog agility tunnels, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com site now.
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