Paws For Agility

In my youth, I used to compete in a variety of athletic competitions—from swimming and crew to football and archery. As I’ve gotten older it’s been increasingly difficult to compete at a high level, but the competitive fire still burns deep inside of my. Recently I’ve been looking for a cathartic release from this sentiment, and I think I’ve finally found it.

My wife and I recently got a new dog, and I’ve been amazed by his unsurpassed physical prowess. He simply loves chasing down balls, running through the yard and swimming in our pond—basically anything that gets his blood pumping. Since he’s so athletically inclined, I decided to purchase some canine agility equipment and train him for competitions. As I guessed, he loves the training and both of us our chomping at the bit to get into some real contests.

After training dogs for decades, I’m quite familiar with the various apparatuses used to hone a dog’s agility. Of course, each of the different types of obstacles tests a different aspect of a dog’s fitness. But when it comes to pure agility, I feel that the agility weave poles are the best way to train and the truest gauge of the dog’s quickness.

My first introduction to the weave poles was actually during football practice, but the poles used for canines are practically identical—although they have been scaled down, of course. You can either purchase individual poles to stick in the ground at designated intervals or a set that has the poles already measured out and placed for you. The individual poles offer you more versatility when setting up your training course, while the sets are obviously more convenient.

Many people think that a dog agility course is simply a test of a dog’s physical capabilities. Fitness is obviously at a premium in agility competitions, but it takes more than a finely tuned body to excel. In order to get through a course in competition, which is arranged differently every time, the dog must learn to obey the commands of the trainer.

Not only must the dog be able to listen on the move, they also need to be able to gain their composure in the middle of competition. So when you’re training a dog, don’t neglect the mental aspect of the regimen. Obstacles like the dog agility teeter and the pause table require a combination of mental and physical toughness.

Pets are therapeutic animals who give us unconditional love and a source of comfort. And while pets can make us feel better, we need to make sure their needs are met as well. Dogs especially need lots of exercise to stay healthy and entertained. It’s best if you have a fenced yard that your dog can play in so he can run around without being supervised if you’re in pain.

You can set up a dog tunnel in your yard to help keep him entertained; he’ll have a great time running through it. If your dog enjoys playing in the tunnel, you may want to consider investing in some additional dog agility toys. Even if you never enter them in a competition, these toys provide continual entertainment for canines and keep them in shape at the same time.

Like many Americans, I’ve fallen victim to a sedentary lifestyle. From 6am to 6pm, I’m either sitting in gridlocked traffic or behind a desk typing. As you can imagine, this routine is wreaking havoc on my health. Unfortunately, my dog Myshkin has adopted my sedentary habits as well, although I obviously have to take the bulk of the blame in that department. In order to better our quality of life, I’ve recently resolved to put both of us on an exercise routine.

It’s a well-known fact that sticking to a workout regimen is easier with a companion—and who better than man’s best friend? Last week I got a membership at the local gym so I can go lift weights and get in some low-impact cardio before I head off to work. I’ve also purchased a variety of dog agility equipment for Myshkin, although I don’t plan to enter him in competitions anytime soon.

When I witnessed an awful spill by a dog misjudging the tire jump, I searched for a product that might be able to avoid having any injury by hitting the tire jump. I found it at Agility Tools by Windryder.

 The ‘Break-Away Tire’ represents the ultimate in safety, making it ideal for dog clubs, dog parks, and for anyone where increased safety is a concern.

The tire is masterfully constructed by a one piece water-proof (pre-painted) foam expulsion with internal magnets that will ’separate’ and open at the bottom of the tire (i.e. split) upon the impact of a dog landing on it. It will then return to its original form after the dog passes through, without manual resetting.

If you have never trained a dog to tackle an agility course, it can be a vexing endeavor. With so many obstacles to prepare for, simply finding an adequate place to practice can be a challenge. Now you can create your own agility-training course in just a few minutes with an agility in a bag set.

These comprehensive sets of agility tools include six of the most common obstacles to help you and your canine prepare for competition. The training tools included in the agility in a bag set are fully adjustable, making them compatible with any size and breed of dog. It includes a range of obstacles—from tunnels and chutes to jumps and a pause box.

If you engage in any form of competition, you indubitably have some sense of competitive spirit. And while training is a grueling, rigorous undertaking, it is imperative to take measures to ensure your preparation is also enjoyable. This theory holds true for dog agility training as well.

Although most canines love exercise, spending hours going through the weave poles or bounding through a tire jump can grow monotonous. To that end, be sure to spice up your dog’s training regimen occasionally. For instance, invest in some dog agility toys, which will effectively condition the dog while offering a reprieve from the customary obstacles.

Even people who are unacquainted with the rules and regulations of dog agility competitions are familiar with the dog tire jump. This iconic piece of equipment is a staple in dog agility courses and a true test of a dog’s strength and grace. While the apparatus may seem like a simple tire suspended in the air, dog agility trial organizations have stringent standards for the dimensions of the tire jump.

The tire is typically made from hollow plastic tubing and is secured on a frame to ensure it doesn’t move or shift during competition. For the AKC, the regulation tire size is 24”, while in the USDAA it is 19”. When purchasing a tire for your own training, look for a model that can be assembled and taken down easily.

Prior to the start of the event, the dog’s handler has an opportunity to get familiar with the course so that they can guide their canine adequately. There will be some slight variation in dog agility courses depending on the organization and the specific event. While it may seem like this puts the dog at a disadvantage, there are basic obstacles used in all competitions that the dogs train for.

Contact obstacles, as you can probably ascertain, are those that the dog comes into direct contact with, such as the A-frame and teeter-totter. Tunnels are another standard obstacle and are typically either a rigid tunnel or a chute with a cloth tube. The dogs also must master a variety of jumps—from hurdles to tire jumps. There are also a diversity of miscellaneous obstacles like weave poles and pause boxes.