Dog Agility Training

Dog agility training can take on many different aspects, but the basic idea behind it is simply to change your dog from being idle and sedentary to becoming up and active. Agility training can also helps build up your canine's confidence, allows for mental stimulation and physical development of your dog.

More than that, with simple dog agility training, it can also be great fun for you and your dog and you will find that your dog will be much happier. This is because, like you, dogs become bored and tired when there is nothing to do, and a bored, tired dog usually translates into an unhappy one. So, a little playtime can increase their level of happiness while, in the same process, providing some much needed exercise – both for you and your dog!

For those who already have active dogs, dog agility training can also take on a whole different meaning. For example, there are tailor-made obstacle courses out there that can develop and hone your canine’s speed, accuracy, and directional capabilities by providing a range of obstacles for your pet to overcome.

There is the teeter-totter, for instance, which is a sequence of poles that your dog must weave in and out of, tires or hoops to jump through, and A-frame to run up and down. You can also employ dog agility training around the house yourself. You can set up cones in the front yard, for example, guiding your pet in and out of them. Or, you can utilize an old wide tire, some rope, and a tree branch and create a makeshift ring obstacle. Keep in mind, not to set the tire too high, lest your dog injure itself while jumping. And if you are handy enough, you can even build your own ramp for your dog to climb!

These dog agility-training obstacles will quickly get your canine in shape, but you must keep in mind that there are gradual stages that a dog must go through before tackling this level.

When first starting, there are several things you should consider. Dog agility training can only begin once your dog reaches physical maturity and respond well to basic dog obedience commands otherwise, you may find that you are doing more bad than good for your canine and none of us want that!

Dog Agility Training Talk: Agility is a sport which your dog has to negotiate 20 obstacles, adjustable to your canine's size. You run and guide your dog in the right direction throughout the course. The course is completed or won with the team with the fastest timing and fewest penalties.

Dogs, like people, all have different starting points, so it is important for you to recognize where your dog’s starting point is. For smaller dogs, those weighing less than fifty pounds, you will want to wait till they are between 9 and 12 months old. Heavier dogs, or those fifty or more pounds, on the other hand, will want to wait a bit longer between agility training. For them, you will want to wait somewhere between 10 and 14 months of age. Failure to adhere to these guidelines, and pushing your dog to unnecessary limits before they are ready, will only contribute to needless injuries.

Injuries can range anywhere from sprained or dislocated joints to broken legs to much worse. Of course, no dog lover wishes this upon any canine, let alone your pet, so it is important to remember that dog agility training need not be rushed and is a gradual process. If injuries do occur, moreover, take your pet to your local veterinarian immediately. In other words, take the training process as slowly and as much time as needed by your dog as possible. What’s the rush anyway?

There are a few basic rules everyone, whether inexperienced or professional, should have handy while agility training their dog:

• Know your dog’s limits and what he or she is capable of accomplishing;
• Make sure that your dog is under control. This will decrease any risk for potential injuries;
• Positive reinforcement, and not negative, will keep your dog happy;
• Reward your pet when he or she has reached a goal or perform a correct action;
• Have fun and always end the training on a positive note!

We all begin somewhere, and your pet is no different. Still, with a little help, a little guidance, and a little assistance, your pet can easily master the world of dog agility training. And, if you feel that your canine has already mastered these obstacles, there are even dog agility training contests that you can enter your canine in. There is prize money to win, national recognition to be garnered, and loads of fun to have! What could be better?

All you have to do now is be able to keep up! Good luck with your dog agility training!

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