Dog agility is a great activity that most healthy, active dogs can enjoy, and if you are ready to get going, you probably have a few questions about this sport. Not only will your pet benefit from the exercise, you will see behavior improvements from practicing these agility skills. Take a look at the following tips, which might be helpful for someone new to agility.
Every dog agility organization varies a bit regarding the required elements and the sizes of each piece of apparatus. However, when you are just starting out, it can be easier to use miniature agility equipment. These are exactly like the full-size versions, just scaled down, and while they are perfect for puppies and smaller dogs, bigger dogs also can get their feet wet using these mini items. You will be able to teach all of the crucial agility skills, and the smaller equipment fits more easily in your yard and even can be toted easily to the park or perhaps inside your home if the weather does not permit outdoor training.
When many dogs first see the teeter, for instance, they are quite nervous about the way it moves. Likewise, some dogs are frightened by the angle and height of a dog walk or A-frame. Using smaller, miniature versions of these can ease the anxiety of a dog that is new to the sport. You also would be wise to purchase a Buja board, which is very low to the ground but moves around so your dog will get use to standing, staying and sitting on a moving object. These sometimes are simple known as wobble boards.
While it is fun to watch dogs as they zip through weaves, this can be a tough obstacle to learn. One way to teach and reinforce this skill is through the use of training guide wires. These simply snap on to your PVC weave poles and help the dog understand the correct direction and ensure that he goes around each weave pole correctly. Once the dog has mastered the weaves with the guide wires, you can take them off and train without the wires.
Often dogs are having such fun on the agility course that they tend to leap onto or off the A-frame or dog walk. However, rules prohibit this as the dogs are meant to come into contact with the bottom edges of the obstacle and walk or run off the obstacle rather than leaping. Using a training hoop, which is secure near the bottom of the obstacle, can help re-focus your dog and direct them off the A-frame or agility dog walk correctly.
You can order all the equipment you need online and have it shipped right to your house. Carlson Agility, for instance, offers a full line of full-size and mini agility equipment, and they have all the jumps, contact obstacles, weaves and training tools you might need. They even have specialty equipment such as car door jumps, chain link hurdles, swing planks, sway bridges and much more. Many products even include free shipping.
Every dog agility organization varies a bit regarding the required elements and the sizes of each piece of apparatus. However, when you are just starting out, it can be easier to use miniature agility equipment. These are exactly like the full-size versions, just scaled down, and while they are perfect for puppies and smaller dogs, bigger dogs also can get their feet wet using these mini items. You will be able to teach all of the crucial agility skills, and the smaller equipment fits more easily in your yard and even can be toted easily to the park or perhaps inside your home if the weather does not permit outdoor training.
When many dogs first see the teeter, for instance, they are quite nervous about the way it moves. Likewise, some dogs are frightened by the angle and height of a dog walk or A-frame. Using smaller, miniature versions of these can ease the anxiety of a dog that is new to the sport. You also would be wise to purchase a Buja board, which is very low to the ground but moves around so your dog will get use to standing, staying and sitting on a moving object. These sometimes are simple known as wobble boards.
While it is fun to watch dogs as they zip through weaves, this can be a tough obstacle to learn. One way to teach and reinforce this skill is through the use of training guide wires. These simply snap on to your PVC weave poles and help the dog understand the correct direction and ensure that he goes around each weave pole correctly. Once the dog has mastered the weaves with the guide wires, you can take them off and train without the wires.
Often dogs are having such fun on the agility course that they tend to leap onto or off the A-frame or dog walk. However, rules prohibit this as the dogs are meant to come into contact with the bottom edges of the obstacle and walk or run off the obstacle rather than leaping. Using a training hoop, which is secure near the bottom of the obstacle, can help re-focus your dog and direct them off the A-frame or agility dog walk correctly.
You can order all the equipment you need online and have it shipped right to your house. Carlson Agility, for instance, offers a full line of full-size and mini agility equipment, and they have all the jumps, contact obstacles, weaves and training tools you might need. They even have specialty equipment such as car door jumps, chain link hurdles, swing planks, sway bridges and much more. Many products even include free shipping.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To find an agility equipment for dogs, or to find more agility dog training equipment like obedience jumps, please go to the Carlson-Agility.com site today.
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