While many dogs learn new skills quickly and they have a high level of enthusiasm for agility obstacles, you as the owner might be concerned about how to get started with training. You can begin by simply planning out on paper what skills you wish to teach first and what commands and signals you will learn for each skill. Keep in mind that while it might seem that there is much to learn, it doesn't all need to be accomplished at once. You can take it obstacle by obstacle and master one piece before adding a new one.
It's often easier to simply begin with the pause table. It might not be the most glamorous obstacle, but it certainly teaches vitally important skills. You will teach your dog commands such as jump up, jump down, stay, sit and lay down. The three latter skills are huge parts of general obedience training, anyway, which is why it can be good to start here. Create a word and signal for each skill and be sure to consistently use these same commands.
This can take some time, but these are essential skills whether you are on or off the agility course, so patience pays off. After your dog has mastered the basic skills on the pause table, begin distance training. This simply means you will walk farther and farther away from the table and still expect your dog to obey the verbal commands and hand signals. Again, this is great training for general obedience as well as for the sport of agility.
With each piece of equipment, there will be a few new commands to teach, so it is truly best to only add one new piece at a time. One great way to go is to start with your pause table and then add a jump or two. Dogs do love the agility jumps and you will be on your way to setting up a mini course with a pause table and one or two jumps. Be sure to consistently reinforce all of the skills, so keep working on your pause table while you are learning jumps. Once your dog understands the jumps, add a new skill, such as a dog chute or tunnel. Then your dog can go from table to jump to jump to tunnel or some other combination once all these skills are mastered.
It is important to note that treats and other incentives are not allowed on an agility course, and you really shouldn't overstuff your dog with treats anyway. There's no harm in using tiny treats as an incentive in the beginning. Just be sure to stop giving treats and replace it with praise instead. A soft pat or a simple, "good dog," can be enough. Dogs love treats, to be sure, but they really love praise and when they see how excited and proud you are after they complete an agility course, that is all the reward they really need.
Once you have written down your plan of attack, you will want to purchase a few pieces of agility equipment, and Carlson Agility has all the course components you will need. You can find agility equipment such as a-frames, dog walks, tunnels, tire jumps, weave poles and anything else you can imagine. These pieces also are sold in small sizes for the tinier dogs and puppies. Mini agility equipment also fits more easily in a smaller yard, and it certainly can be used with a larger dog if you are lacking on space.
It's often easier to simply begin with the pause table. It might not be the most glamorous obstacle, but it certainly teaches vitally important skills. You will teach your dog commands such as jump up, jump down, stay, sit and lay down. The three latter skills are huge parts of general obedience training, anyway, which is why it can be good to start here. Create a word and signal for each skill and be sure to consistently use these same commands.
This can take some time, but these are essential skills whether you are on or off the agility course, so patience pays off. After your dog has mastered the basic skills on the pause table, begin distance training. This simply means you will walk farther and farther away from the table and still expect your dog to obey the verbal commands and hand signals. Again, this is great training for general obedience as well as for the sport of agility.
With each piece of equipment, there will be a few new commands to teach, so it is truly best to only add one new piece at a time. One great way to go is to start with your pause table and then add a jump or two. Dogs do love the agility jumps and you will be on your way to setting up a mini course with a pause table and one or two jumps. Be sure to consistently reinforce all of the skills, so keep working on your pause table while you are learning jumps. Once your dog understands the jumps, add a new skill, such as a dog chute or tunnel. Then your dog can go from table to jump to jump to tunnel or some other combination once all these skills are mastered.
It is important to note that treats and other incentives are not allowed on an agility course, and you really shouldn't overstuff your dog with treats anyway. There's no harm in using tiny treats as an incentive in the beginning. Just be sure to stop giving treats and replace it with praise instead. A soft pat or a simple, "good dog," can be enough. Dogs love treats, to be sure, but they really love praise and when they see how excited and proud you are after they complete an agility course, that is all the reward they really need.
Once you have written down your plan of attack, you will want to purchase a few pieces of agility equipment, and Carlson Agility has all the course components you will need. You can find agility equipment such as a-frames, dog walks, tunnels, tire jumps, weave poles and anything else you can imagine. These pieces also are sold in small sizes for the tinier dogs and puppies. Mini agility equipment also fits more easily in a smaller yard, and it certainly can be used with a larger dog if you are lacking on space.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To find an agility equipment, or to find useful agility dog training equipment such as dog agility kit, please go to the Carlson-Agility.com website now.
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