Dog Training in Agility

As well as for humans, agility dog trainig makes your pet more confident, increases its speed and its physical flexibility while helps excercise its feet. Agility dog training is currently a fast growing sport for dogs. This young dog sport is fun for both the dogs and their owners.

A small piece of history about Dog Training

Agility training for dogs started in the late 1970s in England, and its invention was based on horse show jumping. Agility training for dogs and horse jumping help to make a strong relationship between the owner and the animal. Curiously enough, this kind of events are useful also to develop strategy and teamwork. You win an agility event with your dog if you and your dog complete the course in the fastest time with the fewest number of faults. As you can see, it is very similar again to horse jumping when the horse knocks down one of the poles of the fence.

Positive Benefits for Dogs

Another benefit of agility training for dogs is the mental effect it has on shy dogs and owners. Both often show a renewed confidence after successfully negotiating an agility obstacle course. Many dogs improve their coordination dramatically by completing the basic training exercises used to teach jumping and ramp work.

If you have an hyperactive dog, agility dog training provides him with a method of releasing some of that extra energy in a positive manner. Also, the mental workout has a greater benefit for the dog than the physical one. This kind of sport builds a sense of teamwork between the owner and the animal, and the level of communication between the two of them is very similar to the way humans communicate.

To make a great team in agility training, both your dog and yourself must be perfectly synced, because there is no leash or collar allowed on an agility course. There is a big variation in the order of obstacles on each course and the pathway twists and turns, so the dog has to lean a whole new vocabulary in order to be successful in this kind of events.

Young dogs

You can start your puppie training with regular walks in the agility courses as early as when they are 4 months. If they are older, it is recommended conditioning walks of two miles or longer. It is a good advice not to rush your dog to go through the obstacles, as they can injure themselves in the event they fall from an a-frame or a dog walk. Usually, ramps have cross-laths to help with traction when the dog sprints up the ramp.

If your dog is afraid of heights, you will coax through the uncertainty and by doing so will help your dog-friend and yourself.

Good Luck in agility training your dog!