Dogs are one of the world's most beloved animals and many sporting events have been created to showcase their unique abilities, from sled dog racing to dog surfing. One of the most popular dog sports is dog agility and agility competitions are held all over the world. While you probably have seen dogs zooming through tunnels and weaving in and out of posts on TV, there are probably many facts about dog agility about which you are unfamiliar.
As with many dog sports, the dog works with a handler during the event. The handler is allowed to use certain signals and commands in order to direct the animal through the course. Toys or treats or other incentives are not allowed and every organization has other restrictions and animals are expected to complete the course before a set amount of time has passed.
While you might see a variety of different breeds competing against each other, the dogs are divided into different classes according to size. Each organization has its own guidelines. For instance, the nation's large organization for dog agility, the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA), has four different height categories. There are also age restrictions. Generally, dogs can begin competing at about 18 months of age. Not only have they reached their adult height, their bodies have finished developing and agility training typically is not recommended for dogs younger than a year.
A wide variety of obstacles are included in every competition, although the number of obstacles that the dogs encounter varies. The USDAA divides dogs not only by height but also by experience and age level. The starter dogs, novice dogs and older dogs will have anywhere from 14 to 16 obstacles. The dogs at their physical prime with experience in the sport fall into the masters or advanced classes and they might have to deal with 17 or up to 20 different obstacles.
Agility dog course obstacles include a variety of jumps and other pieces of dog agility equipment. There are usually several contact obstacles, such as a see-saw, a dog walk and an A-Frame. Dog agility tunnels also are part of the course and usually include one pipe tunnel and a collapsible tunnel. A pause table and a tire jump also are included. Dogs also must jump over several hurdles and weave through a set of poles.
Even if you never plan on taking part in a dog agility competition with your pet, there are several reasons why agility training is beneficial. It strengthens the bond between the owner and the dog, increases the level of obedience and provides an excellent source of exercise for the dog and the owner. Of course, it's also a lot of fun for you and your pet. There are several companies that sell sturdy, pre-made dog training equipment, such as Carlson-Agility.com. You can find everything from jumps to tunnels to weaves on this website, as well as some very helpful training information.
As with many dog sports, the dog works with a handler during the event. The handler is allowed to use certain signals and commands in order to direct the animal through the course. Toys or treats or other incentives are not allowed and every organization has other restrictions and animals are expected to complete the course before a set amount of time has passed.
While you might see a variety of different breeds competing against each other, the dogs are divided into different classes according to size. Each organization has its own guidelines. For instance, the nation's large organization for dog agility, the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA), has four different height categories. There are also age restrictions. Generally, dogs can begin competing at about 18 months of age. Not only have they reached their adult height, their bodies have finished developing and agility training typically is not recommended for dogs younger than a year.
A wide variety of obstacles are included in every competition, although the number of obstacles that the dogs encounter varies. The USDAA divides dogs not only by height but also by experience and age level. The starter dogs, novice dogs and older dogs will have anywhere from 14 to 16 obstacles. The dogs at their physical prime with experience in the sport fall into the masters or advanced classes and they might have to deal with 17 or up to 20 different obstacles.
Agility dog course obstacles include a variety of jumps and other pieces of dog agility equipment. There are usually several contact obstacles, such as a see-saw, a dog walk and an A-Frame. Dog agility tunnels also are part of the course and usually include one pipe tunnel and a collapsible tunnel. A pause table and a tire jump also are included. Dogs also must jump over several hurdles and weave through a set of poles.
Even if you never plan on taking part in a dog agility competition with your pet, there are several reasons why agility training is beneficial. It strengthens the bond between the owner and the dog, increases the level of obedience and provides an excellent source of exercise for the dog and the owner. Of course, it's also a lot of fun for you and your pet. There are several companies that sell sturdy, pre-made dog training equipment, such as Carlson-Agility.com. You can find everything from jumps to tunnels to weaves on this website, as well as some very helpful training information.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To discover an obstacle course for dogs, or to find further about training equipment for agility for dogs, please check out the Carlson-Agility site today.
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