Watching dog agility competitions is exciting and if you have ever considered training your dog and hitting the agility courses, this is a great idea. Not only does it cement the bond between dog and owner, it provides a great source of exercise and even improves overall obedience.
However, while you might be tempted to grab some jumps and a teeter totter and get going, it is important to dedicate your first lessons to building a strong foundation. After all, a novice skier doesn't begin on black diamond runs and you don't learn to drive by hitting the course at the Indy 500, one starts by learning the basics. This is true for dog agility training, as well. Once you teach some basic beginning skills, you will have a much easier time with cool agility obstacles such as tunnels, jumps, weaves and teeters.
You might think that foundation training is kind of dull, but that's definitely not the case. Dogs love to play, and foundation training is really just fun playtime for your furry friend. For instance, grab some tug toys and head outside. Teach your dog to tug and hold on to the toy and then let go when you command. Then teach your dog to fetch and, more importantly, bring you the toy when you ask for it. Be sure to bring on the praise every time your dog is successful. Another option would be what is known as box games. You just grab some shallow boxes or bins and set them out in a row with enough space for the dog to hop in to one, then hop out and then walk over and hop into the next box. This teaches them how to work in sequence and continues to reinforce their obeying of commands.
If you are ready to purchase agility equipment, you might consider starting with some miniature agility obstacles, which are smaller versions of the regular obstacles. These mini pieces are fantastic for dogs just beginning agility training, as well as puppies and, of course, dogs of small breeds. Many agility organizations use this type of mini agility equipment for competitions involving small dogs, and even if you have a larger animal, there are a few advantages in purchasing some mini equipment. For one thing, these pieces are easier to learn skills on, and they fit easily in your backyard, so you can set up a whole course of obstacles.
You might begin with a pause table, which teaches some essential skills. Your dog will learn to sit and stay and even lie down on the table. Once the dog has mastered these skills, begin distance training. This simply means that you walk a few feet away from the pause table, still expecting that your dog will obey the commands. Keep working on increasing the distance between you with your dog obeying your vocal commands and hand signals.
Aside from the pause table, other contact equipment you will need includes the dog walk, the teeter-totter and the a-frame, all of which are available from Carlson Agility in full-size and mini sizes. The smaller versions of pieces such as the teeter and a-frame are excellent for beginners or puppies who might be intimidate by the height of the obstacles and the movement of the teeter. If your dog seems uncertain about the teeter, consider having them using a rocker or wobble board, which is low to the ground but still allows them to get used to stand on something that moves. Carlson Agility not only sells all types of high-quality agility equipment, the website is filled with helpful information that will help you make agility training a big success for you and your dog.
However, while you might be tempted to grab some jumps and a teeter totter and get going, it is important to dedicate your first lessons to building a strong foundation. After all, a novice skier doesn't begin on black diamond runs and you don't learn to drive by hitting the course at the Indy 500, one starts by learning the basics. This is true for dog agility training, as well. Once you teach some basic beginning skills, you will have a much easier time with cool agility obstacles such as tunnels, jumps, weaves and teeters.
You might think that foundation training is kind of dull, but that's definitely not the case. Dogs love to play, and foundation training is really just fun playtime for your furry friend. For instance, grab some tug toys and head outside. Teach your dog to tug and hold on to the toy and then let go when you command. Then teach your dog to fetch and, more importantly, bring you the toy when you ask for it. Be sure to bring on the praise every time your dog is successful. Another option would be what is known as box games. You just grab some shallow boxes or bins and set them out in a row with enough space for the dog to hop in to one, then hop out and then walk over and hop into the next box. This teaches them how to work in sequence and continues to reinforce their obeying of commands.
If you are ready to purchase agility equipment, you might consider starting with some miniature agility obstacles, which are smaller versions of the regular obstacles. These mini pieces are fantastic for dogs just beginning agility training, as well as puppies and, of course, dogs of small breeds. Many agility organizations use this type of mini agility equipment for competitions involving small dogs, and even if you have a larger animal, there are a few advantages in purchasing some mini equipment. For one thing, these pieces are easier to learn skills on, and they fit easily in your backyard, so you can set up a whole course of obstacles.
You might begin with a pause table, which teaches some essential skills. Your dog will learn to sit and stay and even lie down on the table. Once the dog has mastered these skills, begin distance training. This simply means that you walk a few feet away from the pause table, still expecting that your dog will obey the commands. Keep working on increasing the distance between you with your dog obeying your vocal commands and hand signals.
Aside from the pause table, other contact equipment you will need includes the dog walk, the teeter-totter and the a-frame, all of which are available from Carlson Agility in full-size and mini sizes. The smaller versions of pieces such as the teeter and a-frame are excellent for beginners or puppies who might be intimidate by the height of the obstacles and the movement of the teeter. If your dog seems uncertain about the teeter, consider having them using a rocker or wobble board, which is low to the ground but still allows them to get used to stand on something that moves. Carlson Agility not only sells all types of high-quality agility equipment, the website is filled with helpful information that will help you make agility training a big success for you and your dog.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To find an obstacle course for dogs, or to find further about training equipment for dog agility jumps, please go to the Carlson-Agility.com site today.
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