A Dog Agility Enthusiast?Find out if dog agility is the sport for you.
Becoming a dog agility enthusiast can happen almost overnight, and take you by surprise! Perhaps you've seen a dog agility contest on TV, or watched the dogs and trainers run an agility course at your local Dog Training School. Or maybe you're just the sporty type yourself, and you want to share your energy and enthusiasm with your puppy by getting involved in a sport you can both enjoy. Whatever the reason, the sport of dog agility is hugely popular and can be addictive! Maybe it's because, as any dog agility enthusiast will confirm, it's a FUN way to :
What exactly IS dog agility?Dog Agility is a sport which involves you and your pup working closely together as he 'runs' (yes, you'll be running too!) a course consisting of:..... and more.
You're not allowed to touch your pup while he's running the agility course, so you need to rely on verbal instructions and body signals to communicate. This encourages a very strong bond between owner and dog, and it's definitely a case of 'practice makes perfect'
Picking a winner!Many different dog breeds, and mixed breeds, an compete in dog agility contests, but the demands of the sport (which include speed, flexibility, intelligence and confidence) make some breeds naturally a better fit.Some of the most popular breeds in dog agility are :
Correct body structure, good health and a confident, outgoing personality are the most important things to look for in a puppy if you have agility competition in mind. Many large breed pups grow and mature slowly, and their joints/bones/ligaments shouldn't be stressed during this stage. So, always check with your veterinarian before starting any sort of agility (or exercise program that requires jumping) before you start out. Waiting until your pup is past the adolescent stage and his frame has matured is usually recommended.
Almost any dog can take part in agility competitions, but it's easiest when you start with a puppy. There's quite a bit of training involved and starting early makes a difference. However, if your dog is adolescent or already mature, you can still try your hand at dog agility. Just be sure to have your veterinarian give your pooch a thorough health check first (and let them know what you're planning) to be on the safe side.
How to get startedNow that you're a dog agility enthusiast, you're probably itching to know how to get started.Well, you're in luck, because dog agility is one of the most popular canine sports around, and most areas have dog agility classes and trainers. You can take get involved at any level, from building a dog agility course in your own back yard, to competing in major agility trials, held by one of the major organizations involved in this sport. You can get tons of dog agility information from the websites of the United States Dog Agility Association or the North American Dog Agility Council What's even better, is that anyone can take part - even kids and teenagers. In fact youngsters and their dogs often make a great team. If you want to see some dog agility competitors in action, take a look at our Dog Agility Videos As an official dog agility enthusiast, you now need to enroll your puppy (and yourself) in a dog agility class. These are available at most dog training schools, and there are classes for all ages and level of experience. For obvious reasons, start with the Puppy Class if your furchild is a youngster. These are generally open to puppies aged 6 months and older (due to the nature of the sport, formal training can put too much strain on growing bones and joints in puppies younger than this). However, dog agility enthusiasts can begin informal practice sessions at home as soon as they want to. You can begin with some basic obedience commands because these set a firm foundation to build on. Also work on getting your puppy comfortable with things such as steps, different surfaces to walk on (brick, wood, plastic etc), climbing over logs etc. It's all good experience for him. You can get busy building a dog agility course in your yard using a simple at-home set of equipment like the Agility-in-a-Bag Set If you want to try building your own dog agility course, this book has all the tips and advice you need - Dog Agility Equipment Construction Instructions: YOU CAN! Build Better Training Obstacles for your Dog A fun and user-friendly guide to the popular sport of dog agility. This enjoyable agility dog book is suitable for total beginners, as well as those with some experience. Clearly written, with simple instructions and beautiful photos. The light-hearted humor makes it very readable and I'd recommend this book to anyone who's getting ready to jump into agility! ...of course, once you've graduated to become a committed dog agility enthusiast, you'll definitely consider them essential! Basic Puppy Training Page
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, or even improvise by creating your own agility course using materials you can find in any hardware store. BUT - it's important to make sure that whatever you build is safe and secure, so that your dog (or you) don't get hurt while having fun.
