Dog Agility Tips For Beginners
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.
Each agility organization is a bit different regarding the type and size of obstacles used in various dog agility competitions, but you don't really need to worry about these requirements in the early stages of training. Mini agility equipment can be a great option for beginners and while it is especially suitable for puppies, young dogs and small breeds, the mini equipment is much less intimidating and can be great way to build confidence in your dog. They will be mastering the same skills, but it's just a bit easier when using smaller obstacles.
Many dogs are a bit timid about some of the contact equipment, especially the A-frame and teeter. A smaller version of the teeter-totter or dog agility A-frame can be much less intimidating. In addition, a Buja board or wobble board is another great tool to use when training. This simply wobbles a bit but is low to the ground, and it provides a way for dogs to get used to standing or sitting on a moving obstacle.
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.
Each agility organization is a bit different regarding the type and size of obstacles used in various dog agility competitions, but you don't really need to worry about these requirements in the early stages of training. Mini agility equipment can be a great option for beginners and while it is especially suitable for puppies, young dogs and small breeds, the mini equipment is much less intimidating and can be great way to build confidence in your dog. They will be mastering the same skills, but it's just a bit easier when using smaller obstacles.
Many dogs are a bit timid about some of the contact equipment, especially the A-frame and teeter. A smaller version of the teeter-totter or dog agility A-frame can be much less intimidating. In addition, a Buja board or wobble board is another great tool to use when training. This simply wobbles a bit but is low to the ground, and it provides a way for dogs to get used to standing or sitting on a moving obstacle.
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 further agility dog training equipment like obedience jumps, please go to the Carlson-Agility site today.
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