Agility Dogs: Staying In Top Shape
For agility dogs, there are few things more fun than dashing around weaves and jumping through tires. However, this is a lot of work and while your pet obviously has to work on learning how to tackle each agility obstacle, it's also important to provide the type of conditioning exercises that build stamina and improve your dog's strength.
When training for agility, treats are a big no-no, but humans find it hard to resist giving their dog friend treats from time to time. Sometimes, we even provide a bit of human food to our pets. While the occasional nibble might be alright, it's important to keep your dog's diet under control. Gaining weight not only makes it harder for them to get moving and exercise, it puts added pressure on their bones, joints and organ systems, which can lead to health problems. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you the best types of food for your dog, as well as amounts and even can recommend a good feeding schedule.
Your dog's size and breed will affect the type of activities that you select. Walking and running are always great ways to stay in shape, but while a greyhound might enjoy a long run, a bulldog or a Shih Tzu might not have the same stamina. Simply select a level of walking that suits your dog and slowly increase the duration and intensity. Don't forget to mix it up and try out new neighborhoods, parks and walking trails. This will keep it more interesting for both you and your pet.
Other fun exercises include tugging on toys, chasing after a ball and playing fetch. Dogs love these activities and they actually can be quite helpful for teaching your dog how to behave and follow commands. For instance you can throw a toy and signal your pet to bring it back to you. You can play tug, but also teach a command where your pet must release the tug toy immediately.
Of course, working on agility skills is also a great form of exercise and you'll need some agility equipment for these activities. Carlson Agility is one online store that sells every piece of agility equipment imaginable. You can purchase a starter kit and then add pieces or just order equipment piece by piece. The selection includes agility jumps, tire jumps, weaves, agility a-frames, dog walks, pause tables, K-9 equipment and anything else you might need.
If you have a small dog or are training a puppy, consider taking a look at Carlson Agility's full line of mini agility equipment. They offer items such as dog agility walks, agility a-frames, jumps, agility teeter totters, agility pause tables and other obstacles in smaller sizes. These also are great for indoor training or for setting up a full course in a smaller yard.
When training for agility, treats are a big no-no, but humans find it hard to resist giving their dog friend treats from time to time. Sometimes, we even provide a bit of human food to our pets. While the occasional nibble might be alright, it's important to keep your dog's diet under control. Gaining weight not only makes it harder for them to get moving and exercise, it puts added pressure on their bones, joints and organ systems, which can lead to health problems. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you the best types of food for your dog, as well as amounts and even can recommend a good feeding schedule.
Your dog's size and breed will affect the type of activities that you select. Walking and running are always great ways to stay in shape, but while a greyhound might enjoy a long run, a bulldog or a Shih Tzu might not have the same stamina. Simply select a level of walking that suits your dog and slowly increase the duration and intensity. Don't forget to mix it up and try out new neighborhoods, parks and walking trails. This will keep it more interesting for both you and your pet.
Other fun exercises include tugging on toys, chasing after a ball and playing fetch. Dogs love these activities and they actually can be quite helpful for teaching your dog how to behave and follow commands. For instance you can throw a toy and signal your pet to bring it back to you. You can play tug, but also teach a command where your pet must release the tug toy immediately.
Of course, working on agility skills is also a great form of exercise and you'll need some agility equipment for these activities. Carlson Agility is one online store that sells every piece of agility equipment imaginable. You can purchase a starter kit and then add pieces or just order equipment piece by piece. The selection includes agility jumps, tire jumps, weaves, agility a-frames, dog walks, pause tables, K-9 equipment and anything else you might need.
If you have a small dog or are training a puppy, consider taking a look at Carlson Agility's full line of mini agility equipment. They offer items such as dog agility walks, agility a-frames, jumps, agility teeter totters, agility pause tables and other obstacles in smaller sizes. These also are great for indoor training or for setting up a full course in a smaller yard.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To find an agility equipment for dogs, or to discover further about training equipment for dog agility jumps, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com site now.
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