Agility training for dogs is a competitive sport sponsored by many different governing bodies including the American Kennel Club. Dogs must navigate a series of obstacles in the correct order with the help of their handler. These obstacles, which may vary depending on the competition, include jumps, tunnels and walkways. Dogs are judged by how fast and how precise they complete the obstacle course.
Begin training too early. Puppies, while they almost always demonstrate a lot of energy, are not quite ready for agility training and may become injured when training for specific events. Experts recommend that focused agility training should not commence until the dog is at least 1 year of age. Basic obedience, however, is very important as a prelude to agility training and can begin when your dog is 4-6 months old. Puppies that learn basic commands such as "sit, stay, down, come and heel," at an early age will fare much better when the time comes to master the more advanced agility skills.
In agility training for dogs, expert trainers recommend that each obstacle be tackled separately prior to putting it all together.
What are Contact Obstacles? The contact obstacles are named as such because along these apparatus there are certain points that a dog must touch with his paw in order to score points. These obstacles include the A-frame, a steep incline on both sides which the dog must walk up and then down; the dog walk, an apparatus that resembles a balance beam and the teeter totter, which resembles those seen in children's playgrounds.
When training first begins, contact obstacles should be as low to the ground as possible. With the dog on leash, give a specific command such as "teeter-totter" each time you approach the obstacle. Handlers can use both treats and praise each time the dog begins and ends each pass over the obstacle, using another treat to encourage the dog to touch the required contact point. As the dog becomes more proficient, contact obstacles can be gradually raised until they eventually reach regulation height.
Most dogs will respond to the combination of treat and praise rather quickly, but for those dogs that absolutely refuse to negotiate the obstacle on their own, try picking them up and placing them on the obstacle, and then rewarding them for their effort.
What is in the Jumps? The jumps on an agility course must be cleared in order to receive points, with points deducted any time the bar is touched, knocked off or avoided all together.
Jump training, much like training for contact obstacles, should begin with the bar placed very low to the ground. For smaller dogs, you can even begin with the bar on the ground. With the dog on leash, encourage him to jump over the bar and reward him with treats and praise each time he is successful.
For dogs who continue to avoid the obstacle, you can try training them in a narrow passageway where there is no room to go around the bar. Encourage the dog to jump over the obstacle by waiting on the other side with a treat in hand.
The only way to go is through the tunnels. A common mistake in tunnel training is beginning with a tunnel that is too long or too narrow. In the early stages of training, try using a short tunnel through which your dog can see the other side. Lead him to the tunnel with the leash, giving the "tunnel" command as he reaches the entrance. A helper on the other side of the tunnel can then call the dog and shout words of encouragement as he passes through. When the dog emerges from the other side, use a combination of praise and treats to reward the behavior.
Agility training for dogs, whether in preparation for competition or sheer enjoyment, can be a lot of fun, but before you begin a training regimen, be sure to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian. Once your dog is cleared for training, remember to start slow and reward him lavishly each step of the way. If done correctly, this method of training will soon see your dog negotiating obstacles you never dreamed possible.
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