Your energetic canine is sure to love the fun of dog agility and so will you and your family. While there's much to learn about the rules of competition and the proper way to run an agility course, when you are first starting out, you need only begin with the basics. Here are some tips for newbies to this dog sport.
While every dog agility organization sets up their competition course a bit differently, you tend to see a few pieces of equipment, or obstacles, on every course. These include contact obstacles such as the a-frame, the teeter totter and the dog walk. A pause table always will be included, as well an assortment of jumps and also weaves. Tunnels and chutes also will be found on the course. Rather than purchasing everything at once, consider beginning with just one or two pieces of important equipment.
If you aren't sure exactly where to begin, consider purchasing a handy starter kit from Carlson Agility. There are about eight different starter kits available, and one option to consider is a kit that includes two jumps and the pause table. Starting out by teaching pause table skills is always a good idea. Not only is this an important part of the agility course, this piece of agility equipment will reinforce obedience skills such as staying and sitting for several seconds. After your dog has mastered sitting and also staying on the pause table with you right next to them, begin distance training by simply increase the distance between you and your dog.
There are several other starter kits to consider, as well, such as a highly fun kit with weaves, a tire jump and an adjustable teeter. You could also opt to create your own starter kit, choose whatever pieces you like. Carlson Agility sells any type of agility equipment that you could possibly need, including unusual items such as a picket fence jump, a window jump or a sway bridge. In addition, you can also purchase mini agility equipment, which is the perfect size for puppies and dogs of smaller breeds.
Even if you purchase several items at once, it's generally best to teach a single obstacle at a time. It's not a bad idea to let your dog get accustomed to and sniff each obstacle, so put them outside and let your dog explore a bit. When you start out, you might quickly master the pause table and then wish to add a jump. Once your dog can do the pause table and one jump, add another jump or perhaps a tunnel or maybe even the dog walk or a teeter-totter. The weave poles generally are the hardest skill for a dog to learn, so that might be a great skill to reserve for last.
Your dog will enjoy training, but only if you have an enthusiastic attitude and plenty of patience. Some dogs really latch on to agility skills very quickly, but most need some time. Not only do they need time to learn a skill, they also might be a bit uncertain as to whether or not they want to use the obstacle at all. This is particularly true of the teeter totter because the movement can be scary for dogs. Dog walks and a-frames also can also be scary because they are off the ground, and some dogs don't wish to enter a tunnel or chute at first. The key with all of this training is to simply remain patient, provide plenty of praise and just enjoy this time of bonding.
While every dog agility organization sets up their competition course a bit differently, you tend to see a few pieces of equipment, or obstacles, on every course. These include contact obstacles such as the a-frame, the teeter totter and the dog walk. A pause table always will be included, as well an assortment of jumps and also weaves. Tunnels and chutes also will be found on the course. Rather than purchasing everything at once, consider beginning with just one or two pieces of important equipment.
If you aren't sure exactly where to begin, consider purchasing a handy starter kit from Carlson Agility. There are about eight different starter kits available, and one option to consider is a kit that includes two jumps and the pause table. Starting out by teaching pause table skills is always a good idea. Not only is this an important part of the agility course, this piece of agility equipment will reinforce obedience skills such as staying and sitting for several seconds. After your dog has mastered sitting and also staying on the pause table with you right next to them, begin distance training by simply increase the distance between you and your dog.
There are several other starter kits to consider, as well, such as a highly fun kit with weaves, a tire jump and an adjustable teeter. You could also opt to create your own starter kit, choose whatever pieces you like. Carlson Agility sells any type of agility equipment that you could possibly need, including unusual items such as a picket fence jump, a window jump or a sway bridge. In addition, you can also purchase mini agility equipment, which is the perfect size for puppies and dogs of smaller breeds.
Even if you purchase several items at once, it's generally best to teach a single obstacle at a time. It's not a bad idea to let your dog get accustomed to and sniff each obstacle, so put them outside and let your dog explore a bit. When you start out, you might quickly master the pause table and then wish to add a jump. Once your dog can do the pause table and one jump, add another jump or perhaps a tunnel or maybe even the dog walk or a teeter-totter. The weave poles generally are the hardest skill for a dog to learn, so that might be a great skill to reserve for last.
Your dog will enjoy training, but only if you have an enthusiastic attitude and plenty of patience. Some dogs really latch on to agility skills very quickly, but most need some time. Not only do they need time to learn a skill, they also might be a bit uncertain as to whether or not they want to use the obstacle at all. This is particularly true of the teeter totter because the movement can be scary for dogs. Dog walks and a-frames also can also be scary because they are off the ground, and some dogs don't wish to enter a tunnel or chute at first. The key with all of this training is to simply remain patient, provide plenty of praise and just enjoy this time of bonding.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To find an agility equipment for dogs, or to find more about training equipment for dog agility jumps, please go to the Carlson-Agility.com site now.
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