If you are considering dog agility training for your pet, good for you! These activities not only improve the bond between you, they provide a great amount of exercise and fun for your dog. However, some dogs are not ideal candidates for agility training, and you also have a few considerations to ponder prior to starting this new chapter in your dog's life.
A dog needs to be in excellent physical condition for agility training, so if your dog has some health issues, this might not be a great activity choice. Keep in mind if you plan on competing, many organizations have restrictions for dogs who are partially blind or deaf, so for this dog, agility training is mainly for fun and exercise. A dog that doesn't seem to have a lot of stamina or energy also is probably not a great choice for agility. You also need to consider your own health as agility training also is exercise for you.
When it comes to puppies, as long as you have plenty of supervision, these little guys can definitely begin learning some agility skills. The important thing to remember is that because their little bodies are still developing, you need to use mini agility equipment so that they won't get hurt. Retailers such as Carlson Agility sell this mini equipment specifically for small dogs and puppies. While you can begin by using any apparatus, using a pause table or pause mat not only is a great way to start agility training, this apparatus will enhance obedience training, as well. Puppies, however, will enjoy exploring all the different types of mini equipment.
Another reason to consider purchasing miniature-sized equipment is that it is simply easier to set up in your yard and takes up a smaller amount of space. This means you can practice a greater variety of skills because you have extra room. While the equipment is scaled down, the skills taught are still the same and easily transferable to larger equipment once your dog grows to full size or perhaps you start training for competitions. In addition, if you are stuck indoors due to rain, sleet or snow, a piece of mini equipment can fit easily into your family room or living room. Your dog will be quite enthusiastic to train after a day of being stuck inside.
If you have ever watched a dog agility competition, you probably were amazed by the skills and speed of these animals and it certainly is impressive to see. However, these dogs have spent several years honing these skills, and while your dog will learn them, don't expect to hit the Grand Prix of Dog Agility in a matter of weeks. Time and plenty of patience is needed for training, and always remember this is supposed to be a fun activity for you and your dog. Start out slowly by learning one apparatus at time. You might begin with a jump, a tunnel or a pause table. A-frames and teeters can be a bit intimidating at first. Once you are doing well on one piece of equipment, add a new skill and so on.
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.
A dog needs to be in excellent physical condition for agility training, so if your dog has some health issues, this might not be a great activity choice. Keep in mind if you plan on competing, many organizations have restrictions for dogs who are partially blind or deaf, so for this dog, agility training is mainly for fun and exercise. A dog that doesn't seem to have a lot of stamina or energy also is probably not a great choice for agility. You also need to consider your own health as agility training also is exercise for you.
When it comes to puppies, as long as you have plenty of supervision, these little guys can definitely begin learning some agility skills. The important thing to remember is that because their little bodies are still developing, you need to use mini agility equipment so that they won't get hurt. Retailers such as Carlson Agility sell this mini equipment specifically for small dogs and puppies. While you can begin by using any apparatus, using a pause table or pause mat not only is a great way to start agility training, this apparatus will enhance obedience training, as well. Puppies, however, will enjoy exploring all the different types of mini equipment.
Another reason to consider purchasing miniature-sized equipment is that it is simply easier to set up in your yard and takes up a smaller amount of space. This means you can practice a greater variety of skills because you have extra room. While the equipment is scaled down, the skills taught are still the same and easily transferable to larger equipment once your dog grows to full size or perhaps you start training for competitions. In addition, if you are stuck indoors due to rain, sleet or snow, a piece of mini equipment can fit easily into your family room or living room. Your dog will be quite enthusiastic to train after a day of being stuck inside.
If you have ever watched a dog agility competition, you probably were amazed by the skills and speed of these animals and it certainly is impressive to see. However, these dogs have spent several years honing these skills, and while your dog will learn them, don't expect to hit the Grand Prix of Dog Agility in a matter of weeks. Time and plenty of patience is needed for training, and always remember this is supposed to be a fun activity for you and your dog. Start out slowly by learning one apparatus at time. You might begin with a jump, a tunnel or a pause table. A-frames and teeters can be a bit intimidating at first. Once you are doing well on one piece of equipment, add a new skill and so on.
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 enjoys dog agility training. To get further details about dog training equipment or to learn more about other equipment like dog agility tunnels, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com site today.
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