Dog agility training is a fantastic way to have fun with your dog as well as providing some much needed exercise. However, not every dog is an ideal match for agility training, and there are definitely a few things to consider before you begin. Here are some tips that will help you and your best friend get the most out of dog agility training.
Your dog's general energy level and physical condition also are important initial considerations. A dog that is easily tired by a walk or can only play briskly for 10-15 at a time might not be well suited to agility training. A dog that is partially blind or perhaps deaf or an amputee might still enjoy agility training, but some organizations do not allow these animals to compete. However, a dog in great condition with lots of playful energy can be the perfect candidate for agility training.
A puppy that has reached at least eight weeks of age also can begin enjoying agility training. Puppies are always anxious to play and are highly interesting in anything new, so this can be a great time to start. However, because they are still in development stages, you do need to supervise them carefully and you also need to purchase mini equipment for them to use. Carlson Agility is one retailer that offers this mini equipment for puppies and small breed dogs. You can purchase mini versions of pause tables, a-frames, dog walks and even a cute little mini chute and barrel. The mini pause table can be a great place to begin, as they learn important agility and obedience skills at the same time.
Purchasing mini contact equipment is a great way to start out, and it also has the advantage of fitting more easily in your yard. Purchasing mini weaves, mini tire jumps, mini a-frames and dog walks and other mini pieces means you can buy a larger variety of equipment. You can even bring them inside your home more easily, which means you and your dog can continue training on a rainy day. Your dog especially will enjoy training on days when they have been cooped up due to poor weather conditions.
When you begin training, for either agility or general obedience, remember the three P's: Patience, patience and more patience. It takes time to train a dog, and they can become confused easily, so stick with learning one piece of equipment at a time. Spend a few weeks learning basic jumping, and then maybe add a new skill such as the pause table or maybe a cool tunnel. Don't expect them to learn all the agility course skills in a couple of months. The dogs you see running courses on TV have been working on these skills for several years, so it's little wonder why they are so good at it.
There are many retailers out there selling dog agility equipment, including Carlson Agility which offers several different types of handy starter kits. These include two or three different apparatus to get you going. Of course, Carlson Agility also sells individual items such as agility tunnels and chutes, agility dog jumps, A-frames, dog walks and everything else you will need for agility training.
Your dog's general energy level and physical condition also are important initial considerations. A dog that is easily tired by a walk or can only play briskly for 10-15 at a time might not be well suited to agility training. A dog that is partially blind or perhaps deaf or an amputee might still enjoy agility training, but some organizations do not allow these animals to compete. However, a dog in great condition with lots of playful energy can be the perfect candidate for agility training.
A puppy that has reached at least eight weeks of age also can begin enjoying agility training. Puppies are always anxious to play and are highly interesting in anything new, so this can be a great time to start. However, because they are still in development stages, you do need to supervise them carefully and you also need to purchase mini equipment for them to use. Carlson Agility is one retailer that offers this mini equipment for puppies and small breed dogs. You can purchase mini versions of pause tables, a-frames, dog walks and even a cute little mini chute and barrel. The mini pause table can be a great place to begin, as they learn important agility and obedience skills at the same time.
Purchasing mini contact equipment is a great way to start out, and it also has the advantage of fitting more easily in your yard. Purchasing mini weaves, mini tire jumps, mini a-frames and dog walks and other mini pieces means you can buy a larger variety of equipment. You can even bring them inside your home more easily, which means you and your dog can continue training on a rainy day. Your dog especially will enjoy training on days when they have been cooped up due to poor weather conditions.
When you begin training, for either agility or general obedience, remember the three P's: Patience, patience and more patience. It takes time to train a dog, and they can become confused easily, so stick with learning one piece of equipment at a time. Spend a few weeks learning basic jumping, and then maybe add a new skill such as the pause table or maybe a cool tunnel. Don't expect them to learn all the agility course skills in a couple of months. The dogs you see running courses on TV have been working on these skills for several years, so it's little wonder why they are so good at it.
There are many retailers out there selling dog agility equipment, including Carlson Agility which offers several different types of handy starter kits. These include two or three different apparatus to get you going. Of course, Carlson Agility also sells individual items such as agility tunnels and chutes, agility dog jumps, A-frames, dog walks and everything else you will need for agility training.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To get further information about dog training equipment or to know more about other equipment like dog agility tunnels, please visit the Carlson-Agility.com site today.
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