There are many reasons why dog agility is a great idea for your high-energy pet. These activities not only provide a fun source of exercise, they also reinforce obedience skills and improve the bond between owner and dog. When you are just getting started in dog agility, the following tips might help you build a solid foundation.
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.
At Carlson Agility, you can purchase one of their basic starter kits, which can be a good way to go. For instance, one starter kit includes a pause table and two single jumps. The pause table is a great place to start training, as you dog will learn or reinforce essential skills such as sitting, staying and laying down. You can begin pause table training standing right next to your dog and then as the skills are mastered, begin lengthening the distance between the two of you.
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.
While you might purchase two or three items, it's best to start by teaching just one skill at a time. For instance, you might start out with pause table skills and once these are mastered, start something new. Perhaps you will start with a single jump and entice your dog to leap over the jump. Then you can add a second jump. Eventually, you might have them do a few jumps in a row and then stop on the pause table. Once this series of obstacles is mastered, you can add something new, such as a teeter or the dog walk or a tunnel. One of the hardest skills for a dog to master is weaves, so that might be a good skill to save for later in training.
Keep in mind that while you might want to compete in the sport of dog agility, the main reasons for taking part in this activity is because is such great fun for both of you. Remember to be patient when teaching each new piece of equipment. Your dog loves to please you, so praise is also quite important. Some of the pieces of agility equipment are bit intimidating, especially items that move such as the teeter totter or sway bridge. Off-the-ground obstacles such as the dog walk and especially the a-frame also can be a bit scary at first. Your patience and enthusiasm will be a huge factor in your dog's success, so just enjoy yourself and your dog will too.
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.
At Carlson Agility, you can purchase one of their basic starter kits, which can be a good way to go. For instance, one starter kit includes a pause table and two single jumps. The pause table is a great place to start training, as you dog will learn or reinforce essential skills such as sitting, staying and laying down. You can begin pause table training standing right next to your dog and then as the skills are mastered, begin lengthening the distance between the two of you.
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.
While you might purchase two or three items, it's best to start by teaching just one skill at a time. For instance, you might start out with pause table skills and once these are mastered, start something new. Perhaps you will start with a single jump and entice your dog to leap over the jump. Then you can add a second jump. Eventually, you might have them do a few jumps in a row and then stop on the pause table. Once this series of obstacles is mastered, you can add something new, such as a teeter or the dog walk or a tunnel. One of the hardest skills for a dog to master is weaves, so that might be a good skill to save for later in training.
Keep in mind that while you might want to compete in the sport of dog agility, the main reasons for taking part in this activity is because is such great fun for both of you. Remember to be patient when teaching each new piece of equipment. Your dog loves to please you, so praise is also quite important. Some of the pieces of agility equipment are bit intimidating, especially items that move such as the teeter totter or sway bridge. Off-the-ground obstacles such as the dog walk and especially the a-frame also can be a bit scary at first. Your patience and enthusiasm will be a huge factor in your dog's success, so just enjoy yourself and your dog will too.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To discover an agility equipment for dogs, or to find more about training equipment like dog agility jumps, please check out the Carlson-Agility website today.
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