Dog agility competitions are a relative newcomer to the world of sports with the first public demonstrations dating back to a 1978 Crufts dog show in England. Today there are competitions all over the world and there are even organizations that have been developed in many countries to sanction official dog agility events. Here are a few fun facts about dog agility and agility competitions.
It is important to note that dog agility competitions include both the dog and a handler. The competition courses are set up in a complicated fashion and dogs must look to the handler to help guide them through the course in the correct order. While the handler can use voice commands and some body signals to help the dog, no treats or toys are allowed as incentives.
There are many different organizations and each has its own rules, but generally dogs are not competing only with their own breed, but competing with dogs of similar sizes. The USDAA or United States Dog Agility Association, for example, divides dogs into four height groupings. Dogs also are not allowed to enter the main competitions until they are at least 18 months old. Not only does this ensure that their height will remain consistent, it simply isn't considered a good idea to have a dog undergo intense agility training until after their bodies are fully developed at around one year in age.
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.
The obstacles vary from hurdles or jumps to poles which dogs must weave in and out of quickly. There will usually be a tire jump and several different contact obstacles. These usually include a dog walk, a teeter totter and an A-frame obstacle. Tunnels also are included, as is a pause table. At the pause table, the dog must sit and stay for a specific amount of time.
There are several good reasons to consider agility training with your dog, even if you never plan on pursuing the competitive angle. Agility courses provide an excellent source of exercise for your pet. Learning the obstacles increases the level of trust and affection between owner and animal. This type of training is also a great way to improve overall obedience. To find equipment, check out online sites like Carlson-Agility.com. These sites not only sell a wide variety of jumps, contact obstacles, weaves and tunnels, they offer some great advice pertaining to training.
It is important to note that dog agility competitions include both the dog and a handler. The competition courses are set up in a complicated fashion and dogs must look to the handler to help guide them through the course in the correct order. While the handler can use voice commands and some body signals to help the dog, no treats or toys are allowed as incentives.
There are many different organizations and each has its own rules, but generally dogs are not competing only with their own breed, but competing with dogs of similar sizes. The USDAA or United States Dog Agility Association, for example, divides dogs into four height groupings. Dogs also are not allowed to enter the main competitions until they are at least 18 months old. Not only does this ensure that their height will remain consistent, it simply isn't considered a good idea to have a dog undergo intense agility training until after their bodies are fully developed at around one year in age.
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.
The obstacles vary from hurdles or jumps to poles which dogs must weave in and out of quickly. There will usually be a tire jump and several different contact obstacles. These usually include a dog walk, a teeter totter and an A-frame obstacle. Tunnels also are included, as is a pause table. At the pause table, the dog must sit and stay for a specific amount of time.
There are several good reasons to consider agility training with your dog, even if you never plan on pursuing the competitive angle. Agility courses provide an excellent source of exercise for your pet. Learning the obstacles increases the level of trust and affection between owner and animal. This type of training is also a great way to improve overall obedience. To find equipment, check out online sites like Carlson-Agility.com. These sites not only sell a wide variety of jumps, contact obstacles, weaves and tunnels, they offer some great advice pertaining to training.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To discover an obstacle course for dogs, or to find more about training equipment for agility for dogs, please check out the Carlson-Agility site now.
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