There are many undeniable facts about dogs. They are loyal, they are loving and they love to play. If you have a healthy dog with lots of energy, one fun way to expend this energy is through dog agility training. Dogs love these activities, and they also derive a host of benefits from these activities.
Just like us, dogs also need to exercise. Dog agility is definitely an excellent source of exercise for any dog but especially for the pooch that never seems to tire out. Sometimes people mistakenly believe that only a few dog breeds really do well with dog agility training, such as the Australian shepherd. However, any dog truly can be a candidate for dog agility, and your schnauzer could be just as successful as any shepherd or collie on the agility circuit. The exercise will keep them fit and probably will have a positive effect on your own health, since the owner also enjoys his or her own fair share of exercise.
For some people, the idea of simply walking on a treadmill for exercise isn't appealing, they need more interesting activities. Well, dogs are just the same, and agility training provides a truly engaging and interesting form of exercise, and it's even tapping into their instinctual behavior. A modern dog running through a tunnel is just like an ancient wild dog scampering under a pile of leaves searching for a squirrel. Today's dog jumps over manmade obstacles, while the dogs of yesterday jumped over logs and rocks chasing after prey. You can see that agility activities are beyond the typical exercise of fetching a ball or going on a daily walk, and many dogs really benefit from challenging exercise. Often, a dog with tons of energy will channel this energy into destructive behavior, such as chewing up items around the house. Provide some fun on the agility course and they will have a positive outlet for their energy.
Another huge benefit of agility training is the teaching of obedience skills. The pause table is an important part of the agility course, and it is here that dogs must obey several very important commands. Your dog will learn commands for sitting, laying down and staying. They also will have to stay in that position until the trainer signals them to leave, and often the trainer is at a decent distance from the dog. Obviously, these skills come in quite handy off the agility course. With all this time spent together, you and your dog also will bond more closely, which is yet another positive aspect to consider.
Unlike some types of dog events, both mixed breeds and pure bred dogs can compete in dog agility competitions. Dogs are separated by size, age and ability level rather than by breed. If you would like to train for competitions but are worried that your dog is too small or not pure bred, this isn't particularly important for dog agility. Competition can be a fun hobby, and both your dog and you will enjoy the contests and the camaraderie at these events.
You can begin by purchasing one or two pieces of dog agility equipment, such as a pause table and a jump. One company, Carlson Agility, makes it easy for beginners by selling a variety of different starter kits. There are eight starter kits and each is a little different. One has a dog agility jumps as well as a dog agility tunnel, while another includes weave poles and jumps, and others include different mixes of equipment including a-frames, dog walks, tire jumps and other fun items.
If you have a small yard, a small dog or a puppy, Carlson Agility also sells small versions of their equipment, such as smaller mini contact equipment, mini jumps, a mini teeter and a mini pause table to name a few. These are great for the smaller breeds and also small enough to even set up in your family room or basement or garage. Even when the weather is not so great, you can still enjoy some indoor training.
Just like us, dogs also need to exercise. Dog agility is definitely an excellent source of exercise for any dog but especially for the pooch that never seems to tire out. Sometimes people mistakenly believe that only a few dog breeds really do well with dog agility training, such as the Australian shepherd. However, any dog truly can be a candidate for dog agility, and your schnauzer could be just as successful as any shepherd or collie on the agility circuit. The exercise will keep them fit and probably will have a positive effect on your own health, since the owner also enjoys his or her own fair share of exercise.
For some people, the idea of simply walking on a treadmill for exercise isn't appealing, they need more interesting activities. Well, dogs are just the same, and agility training provides a truly engaging and interesting form of exercise, and it's even tapping into their instinctual behavior. A modern dog running through a tunnel is just like an ancient wild dog scampering under a pile of leaves searching for a squirrel. Today's dog jumps over manmade obstacles, while the dogs of yesterday jumped over logs and rocks chasing after prey. You can see that agility activities are beyond the typical exercise of fetching a ball or going on a daily walk, and many dogs really benefit from challenging exercise. Often, a dog with tons of energy will channel this energy into destructive behavior, such as chewing up items around the house. Provide some fun on the agility course and they will have a positive outlet for their energy.
Another huge benefit of agility training is the teaching of obedience skills. The pause table is an important part of the agility course, and it is here that dogs must obey several very important commands. Your dog will learn commands for sitting, laying down and staying. They also will have to stay in that position until the trainer signals them to leave, and often the trainer is at a decent distance from the dog. Obviously, these skills come in quite handy off the agility course. With all this time spent together, you and your dog also will bond more closely, which is yet another positive aspect to consider.
Unlike some types of dog events, both mixed breeds and pure bred dogs can compete in dog agility competitions. Dogs are separated by size, age and ability level rather than by breed. If you would like to train for competitions but are worried that your dog is too small or not pure bred, this isn't particularly important for dog agility. Competition can be a fun hobby, and both your dog and you will enjoy the contests and the camaraderie at these events.
You can begin by purchasing one or two pieces of dog agility equipment, such as a pause table and a jump. One company, Carlson Agility, makes it easy for beginners by selling a variety of different starter kits. There are eight starter kits and each is a little different. One has a dog agility jumps as well as a dog agility tunnel, while another includes weave poles and jumps, and others include different mixes of equipment including a-frames, dog walks, tire jumps and other fun items.
If you have a small yard, a small dog or a puppy, Carlson Agility also sells small versions of their equipment, such as smaller mini contact equipment, mini jumps, a mini teeter and a mini pause table to name a few. These are great for the smaller breeds and also small enough to even set up in your family room or basement or garage. Even when the weather is not so great, you can still enjoy some indoor training.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To find the many advantages of agility training for dogs, or to get useful agility dog training equipment such as dog agility kit, please visit the Carlson-Agility.com site now.
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