Paws For Agility

Training a dog on an agility course can begin at any age. That being said, special consideration needs to be given to training dogs under a year old. Puppies under a year of age have developing joints, so you don’t want to train them too hard as that can cause permanent damage.

When training a puppy you’ll want to start out on an easy dog agility course. The jumps should be a little shorter and the weaving exercises a bit simpler. As your puppy ages into a full grown dog, you’ll want to increase the difficulty of the agility course. Jumps can get higher, weaving can become more difficult, and you can add in elements like the teeter totter.

There are many obstacles a dog involved with agility training must master. There are many components to learn including jumps, climbing objects, and obedience objects. Tunnels are sure to be part of any agility competition. For larger breeds, training to go through dog tunnels is a bit more complex.

Larger dogs may not be able to stand completely upright inside dog tunnels and they may be fearful of such a small enclosed space. To train your dog to go through the tunnels you may want to start by having him or her lie underneath a table with a blanket draped over the top. This will simulate the tunnel and help your dog grow accustomed to being in an enclosed space. Another trick you can use is to have your dog enter the tunnel and stay.
Walk to the other end of the tunnel and command your dog to come. This will help him or learn the technique without breaking their other good habits.

Mastering weave poles is a difficult task for dogs. Most trainers keep a set of poles in their home to work with their dogs on mastering the event. There are several ways to approach training, but for a reluctant dog the channel method is increasingly popular.

In the channel method two parallel rows of weave poles are put side by side, with a channel running down the center. At first, let your dog run through the channel to the other end, like he or she is in an open tunnel. As your dog improves, rotate the poles base bringing the weave poles closer together. Slowly but surely your dog will begin to understand weaving and be more consistent in getting through the routine masterfully.

Many pet owners find themselves curious about specialty dog training, specifically agility training. Once a pet has mastered the basic commands – sit, stay, and rollover – it’s normal to wonder what else you could train such a smart animal to do. Often times, you’ll start with some simple at-home exercises like walking on their hind legs or playing dead, but once these tricks have been learned you’re always left wanting more.

If you consider yourself to be a training-focused pet owner, you should look into dog agility supplies. The options out there are extensive and allow pets to learn the ways of speed and agility with simple exercises. From jump-through tires and jump-over bars to obstacle courses and more, you’ll have your pet trained for show in no time.

My cousin Vivian has been a proud dog obedience trainer for more than 15 years. Her passion for animals started when she was just a girl who volunteered at the local shelter for animals. She quickly grew to love and care for all creatures and learned that she could train them for general obedience as well as for show. And as an adult, she transformed her acquired skills and passion into a profession.

She uses a variety of unique dog products for agility training with animals. From jump-through tires and jump-over bars to obstacle courses and more, she has mastered a full scale of dog agility training equipment. My favorite tool is the teeter board; it’s amazing to see an animal perform on what I grew up thinking was only a playground accessory.

The holidays are here and that means it’s time to get our shopping done. If you’re anything like me then you have along list of people to shop for and you’re probably not looking forward to it. From navigating in traffic to standing in long lines, seasonal shopping is not something most people look forward to. Luckily, though, lower shipping costs and faster delivery times have made online shopping easier and more affordable than ever before.

Canine competition obedience equipment is no exception. When you buy obedience equipment online during the holidays you save yourself from the headaches associated with traditional gift shopping. If you have a dog owner or trainer in your life then you can be a gifting superstar this year without ever leaving the house. The best part is, with discounted pricing you can even save yourself some more of those hard-earned dollars. Get your holiday shopping done online this year and you’ll be glad you did!

It’s an unfortunate reality that exercise is something foreign to so many Americans. One of the circumstances associated with our lack of exercise is that our children and pets follow in our footsteps. If you own a dog then you know firsthand the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle on an animal. They become lethargic and unhealthy and end up suffering from diseases that may have otherwise been prevented.

One of the greatest benefits of pets is that they make for great exercising companions. When we walk our dog or play with the dog in a park we’re also getting the benefits of more activity. In fact, we can be having so much fun we don’t even realize we’re getting god exercise.  Canine agility training is a great way to keep both you and your pets healthy. Agility training requires interaction and movement on the part of the owner. The dogs also benefit from the exercise and all the advantages of effective training.

Dog agility training keeps dogs vigorous and alert. It sharpens the mind and makes him able to device ways by which he can finish the course efficiently. It allows the dog to perform obstacles with ease. A dog trained in agility will have improved coordination making him perform well. It also strengthens the dog-master relationship.

There are different kinds of equipment that can be used in dog agility training, but dog agility jumps are an integral component of any routine. The dog tire jump is a common one. Although it is called a tire jump, it is best to not use a real tire because it is too heavy. It is preferable to have a tire that is easily displaced in case it is hit by your dog during the jump. The tire is usually made of plastic drainpipe material and can be filled with foam. The light material is needed for the safety of the dog.

Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 – 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The movements are brisk and continuous. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.

Any breed of dog, pure or mixed, is encouraged to compete in dog rally. The main objective is to bond with your dog and have a good time. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs. This should allow them to advance to a higher level and maybe earn titles and ribbons. The more important thing is that the dog gets excellent obedience training.

No two canine agility courses are made the same, which makes training your dog a difficult task. Each organization has specific guidelines for setting up the obstacles, including the appropriate distance between the equipment, a designated number of turns and other relevant information. When it comes to devising canine agility obstacle plans, you want to be sure to include all of the basic apparatuses like the tunnel, tire jumps and weave poles.

It’s a good idea to intersperse difficult obstacles with those that are a bit easier. If you require the dog to do through the weave poles, complete a series of jumps and then leap through three tires, they’re not going to have enough energy to do much else. Also keep in mind that the dog’s obedience—not just their agility—will be tested during competition. Because of this, it’s imperative to make sure they heed to your orders and go through each of the contact obstacles the proper way each time.