Paws For Agility

In order to get your dog ready for competition, you have to effectively recreate the obstacles they’re going to encounter. Training for strength and endurance isn’t enough; if the dog isn’t familiar with the various apparatuses, they will be lost when it comes time to compete. Most people don’t have access to a dog agility course in their community, so the best option is to simply purchase the equipment yourself.

Not only does this allow you to train at your and your dog’s leisure, you can also adjust the equipment as they get stronger and more adept at the course. Start with the basic tools, such as a dog agility see saw, weave poles and a tunnel. Once they’ve mastered these obstacles, you can begin introducing more advanced equipment and connecting the various apparatuses to set up a functional course.

For many dog agility trainers, welcoming a new puppy into the fold is an exciting endeavor. Safety guidelines dictate that owners should wait until a dog turns 9 months old before subjecting them to rigorous agility training, however. After this milestone is reached, it’s best to start off slow. Begin with a few small jumps or a run through a collapsible tunnel.

In due time, you and your dog can progress to the more challenging parts of the course – most notably the pole weave and the dog agility teeter. Bear in mind that dogs have a hard time adapting from “sprint mode” to “sit patiently” mode. You can’t just flip a switch. At first the dog is highly unlikely to sit still on the teeter for much longer than a second or two. Keep working at it and the routine will come together in time.