Your energetic canine is sure to love the fun of dog agility and so will you and your family. While there's much to learn about the rules of competition and the proper way to run an agility course, when you are first starting out, you need only begin with the basics. Here are some tips for newbies to this dog sport.
There are many different dog agility groups or organizations, and each has their own rules and each sets up their agility courses differently. In general, there are several pieces of agility equipment that you are almost certain to find on any course. These include obstacles such as the teeter-totter, the dog walk and the a-frame, which are known as contact obstacles. The pause table is another piece of equipment on every course. Jumps, and there are many kinds, also will be part of the course. Weave poles will be set up, and tunnels also will be placed on the course. It's best to start out by purchasing just a few items rather than buying everything at once.
If you aren't sure exactly where to begin, consider purchasing a handy starter kit from Carlson Agility. There are about eight different starter kits available, and one option to consider is a kit that includes two jumps and the pause table. Starting out by teaching pause table skills is always a good idea. Not only is this an important part of the agility course, this piece of agility equipment will reinforce obedience skills such as staying and sitting for several seconds. After your dog has mastered sitting and also staying on the pause table with you right next to them, begin distance training by simply increase the distance between you and your dog.
Of course, there are other starter kits available for purchase. For instance, there is a fun kit that includes a tire jump, 12 weave poles and a teeter-totter. Another kit includes two jumps and a tunnel. There are several more, but you also can call them up and create your own custom kit as well as getting advice about what obstacles to use for beginning training. If your dog is smaller or perhaps you are training your small puppy, Carlson Agility sells all of the agility equipment in miniature sizes, as well. They also sell specialty equipment that you might need later if you decide to compete on a course that requires a chain link hurdle, a brick wall hurdle and a hoop tunnel and more.
Even if you purchase several items at once, it's generally best to teach a single obstacle at a time. It's not a bad idea to let your dog get accustomed to and sniff each obstacle, so put them outside and let your dog explore a bit. When you start out, you might quickly master the pause table and then wish to add a jump. Once your dog can do the pause table and one jump, add another jump or perhaps a tunnel or maybe even the dog walk or a teeter-totter. The weave poles generally are the hardest skill for a dog to learn, so that might be a great skill to reserve for last.
Keep in mind that while you might want to compete in the sport of dog agility, the main reasons for taking part in this activity is because is such great fun for both of you. Remember to be patient when teaching each new piece of equipment. Your dog loves to please you, so praise is also quite important. Some of the pieces of agility equipment are bit intimidating, especially items that move such as the teeter totter or sway bridge. Off-the-ground obstacles such as the dog walk and especially the a-frame also can be a bit scary at first. Your patience and enthusiasm will be a huge factor in your dog's success, so just enjoy yourself and your dog will too.
There are many different dog agility groups or organizations, and each has their own rules and each sets up their agility courses differently. In general, there are several pieces of agility equipment that you are almost certain to find on any course. These include obstacles such as the teeter-totter, the dog walk and the a-frame, which are known as contact obstacles. The pause table is another piece of equipment on every course. Jumps, and there are many kinds, also will be part of the course. Weave poles will be set up, and tunnels also will be placed on the course. It's best to start out by purchasing just a few items rather than buying everything at once.
If you aren't sure exactly where to begin, consider purchasing a handy starter kit from Carlson Agility. There are about eight different starter kits available, and one option to consider is a kit that includes two jumps and the pause table. Starting out by teaching pause table skills is always a good idea. Not only is this an important part of the agility course, this piece of agility equipment will reinforce obedience skills such as staying and sitting for several seconds. After your dog has mastered sitting and also staying on the pause table with you right next to them, begin distance training by simply increase the distance between you and your dog.
Of course, there are other starter kits available for purchase. For instance, there is a fun kit that includes a tire jump, 12 weave poles and a teeter-totter. Another kit includes two jumps and a tunnel. There are several more, but you also can call them up and create your own custom kit as well as getting advice about what obstacles to use for beginning training. If your dog is smaller or perhaps you are training your small puppy, Carlson Agility sells all of the agility equipment in miniature sizes, as well. They also sell specialty equipment that you might need later if you decide to compete on a course that requires a chain link hurdle, a brick wall hurdle and a hoop tunnel and more.
Even if you purchase several items at once, it's generally best to teach a single obstacle at a time. It's not a bad idea to let your dog get accustomed to and sniff each obstacle, so put them outside and let your dog explore a bit. When you start out, you might quickly master the pause table and then wish to add a jump. Once your dog can do the pause table and one jump, add another jump or perhaps a tunnel or maybe even the dog walk or a teeter-totter. The weave poles generally are the hardest skill for a dog to learn, so that might be a great skill to reserve for last.
Keep in mind that while you might want to compete in the sport of dog agility, the main reasons for taking part in this activity is because is such great fun for both of you. Remember to be patient when teaching each new piece of equipment. Your dog loves to please you, so praise is also quite important. Some of the pieces of agility equipment are bit intimidating, especially items that move such as the teeter totter or sway bridge. Off-the-ground obstacles such as the dog walk and especially the a-frame also can be a bit scary at first. Your patience and enthusiasm will be a huge factor in your dog's success, so just enjoy yourself and your dog will too.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To find an agility equipment for dogs, or to find more about training equipment for dog agility jumps, please go to the Carlson-Agility.com website today.
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