Friday, January 3, 2014

Agility Jumps: Advice For Your Backyard Training

By Cheng Bernhardt


One of the best activities you can consider for your dog is agility training, particularly if your canine companion has lots of energy. This not only provides the exercise the dog needs, but also helps to improve obedience and confidence as well as cementing the bond between the two of you. One option is to purchase agility equipment and set it up in your yard.

One important part of this agility training is teaching your dog how to handle the various jumps typically found on an agility course. Dogs greatly enjoy these activities, and it is highly recommended that your training include between four and eight jumps of varying types.

As you probably have seen by watching competitions on TV or in person, there is a wide variety of jumps. A single jump is a good basic jump for first timers, and this is simply one pole on a stand adjusted to set height. You can start out with a few single jumps at a low level, increase the level to competition level and practice taking the jumps from the left and the right as well as placing other obstacles in between the jumps, such as a dog walk or A-frame and, of course, the ever important pause table.

Once your dog seems confident with a single jump, add a double jump and triple jump to the mix. These aren't higher, but farther. Instead of jumping over just one pole, dogs leap over two poles or three poles for a longer distance jump. Some jumps also are not made with poles, but with panels and you can also consider factoring in a panel jump obstacle or a fence wing jump with either poles or panels. Another fun jump is the tire jump, and every course includes one of these so you definitely will want to practice that skill.

You might be tempted to simply place two or three single jumps together to form a double or triple jump, but your dog will be more successful if you have a true double and triple jump on your course. The triple jump is especially difficult, so it pays to be able to set up a course in your yard that has a true triple jump.

Dog agility equipment can be purchased online from retailers including Carlson-Agility.com. They offer handy starter kits for dogs and owners just getting started with agility training. In addition, they sell every imaginable piece of agility equipment you could ever need. You'll find every style of jump, as well as weave poles, dog walks, teeters, pause tables, chutes, dog tunnels and much more.




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