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 little history of Agility Training for Dogs

Agility training for dogs started sometime in the late 1970s in England, where it somewhat copied horse show jumping. Both agility training for dogs and horse jumping build a strong bond between the owner and the animal. They also help to develop strategy and teamwork. You win an agility event with your dog by completing the course in the fastest time with the fewest number of faults. It is very similar again to horse jumping when the horse knocks down one of the poles of the fence.

Benefits for Dogs

Another benefit related to agility training for dogs is the mental effect it produces on dogs and owners. Maybe this is why they often show an increased confidence in eachother after successfully negotiating an agility obstacle course as a team. Most of dogs have a dramatical physical coordination improvement after completing the basic training exercises that are 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.

A great team in agility training is made when your dog and yourself are in perfect sync, because there is no leash or collar involved when talking about an agility course or contest. To be successful, the dog has to learn a whole new vocabulary, since the order of obstacles vary in each course and the pathway twists and turns.

Puppies

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.

In the event your dog who is afraid of heights (maybe yours is or maybe you are), the owner will coax through the uncertainty and by doing so will help his dog and himself.

I wish you the best success in training your dog!