Interesting Facts About The World Of Dog Agility Competitions
Dogs are one of the world's most beloved animals and many sporting events have been created to showcase their unique abilities, from sled dog racing to dog surfing. One of the most popular dog sports is dog agility and agility competitions are held all over the world. While you probably have seen dogs zooming through tunnels and weaving in and out of posts on TV, there are probably many facts about dog agility about which you are unfamiliar.
As with many dog sports, the dog works with a handler during the event. The handler is allowed to use certain signals and commands in order to direct the animal through the course. Toys or treats or other incentives are not allowed and every organization has other restrictions and animals are expected to complete the course before a set amount of time has passed.
While you might see a variety of different breeds competing against each other, the dogs are divided into different classes according to size. Each organization has its own guidelines. For instance, the nation's large organization for dog agility, the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA), has four different height categories. There are also age restrictions. Generally, dogs can begin competing at about 18 months of age. Not only have they reached their adult height, their bodies have finished developing and agility training typically is not recommended for dogs younger than a year.
While every organization differs, you generally see the same types of obstacles in all agility contests. The number of obstacles dogs must navigate varies by organization and within that organization it varies by class. There are contests for dogs who are just starting out, contests for more experienced dogs and contests for the older veterans of the sport. Typically, the novices and veterans will have around 15 obstacles, while the advanced or master-class animals could have as many as 20 obstacles.
The obstacles vary from hurdles or jumps to poles which dogs must weave in and out of quickly. There will usually be a tire jump and several different contact obstacles. These usually include a dog walk, a teeter totter and an A-frame obstacle. Tunnels also are included, as is a pause table. At the pause table, the dog must sit and stay for a specific amount of time.
Even if you never plan on taking part in a dog agility competition with your pet, there are several reasons why agility training is beneficial. It strengthens the bond between the owner and the dog, increases the level of obedience and provides an excellent source of exercise for the dog and the owner. Of course, it's also a lot of fun for you and your pet. There are several companies that sell sturdy, pre-made dog training equipment, such as Carlson-Agility.com. You can find everything from jumps to tunnels to weaves on this website, as well as some very helpful training information.
As with many dog sports, the dog works with a handler during the event. The handler is allowed to use certain signals and commands in order to direct the animal through the course. Toys or treats or other incentives are not allowed and every organization has other restrictions and animals are expected to complete the course before a set amount of time has passed.
While you might see a variety of different breeds competing against each other, the dogs are divided into different classes according to size. Each organization has its own guidelines. For instance, the nation's large organization for dog agility, the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA), has four different height categories. There are also age restrictions. Generally, dogs can begin competing at about 18 months of age. Not only have they reached their adult height, their bodies have finished developing and agility training typically is not recommended for dogs younger than a year.
While every organization differs, you generally see the same types of obstacles in all agility contests. The number of obstacles dogs must navigate varies by organization and within that organization it varies by class. There are contests for dogs who are just starting out, contests for more experienced dogs and contests for the older veterans of the sport. Typically, the novices and veterans will have around 15 obstacles, while the advanced or master-class animals could have as many as 20 obstacles.
The obstacles vary from hurdles or jumps to poles which dogs must weave in and out of quickly. There will usually be a tire jump and several different contact obstacles. These usually include a dog walk, a teeter totter and an A-frame obstacle. Tunnels also are included, as is a pause table. At the pause table, the dog must sit and stay for a specific amount of time.
Even if you never plan on taking part in a dog agility competition with your pet, there are several reasons why agility training is beneficial. It strengthens the bond between the owner and the dog, increases the level of obedience and provides an excellent source of exercise for the dog and the owner. Of course, it's also a lot of fun for you and your pet. There are several companies that sell sturdy, pre-made dog training equipment, such as Carlson-Agility.com. You can find everything from jumps to tunnels to weaves on this website, as well as some very helpful training information.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To find an obstacle course for dogs, or to find further about training equipment for agility for dogs, please check out the Carlson-Agility site now.
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