Is Dog Agility Training Valuable For Your Dog?
Dog agility training is a sport that an owner can share with a dog of any age. It involves leading the dog through a variety of obstacle courses to test his speed and accuracy. Dog agility training can be as informal as a home course with just the owner and the dog participating, or as formal as a competition among many dogs and handlers. In that sense, dog agility training is much like equestrian jumping. The handler should not touch either the dog or the obstacles while the dog is running the course. The actions of the handler are restricted to voice and body signals, as she maneuvers the dog through the course without using a leash or offering rewards.
A dog agility training course is set up by the judge in whatever way he or she wishes. The area is approximately 100 feet square, and the various obstacles may be numbered.
The dog training course is intended to involve both the dog and the handler, whose guidance is significant to the dog’s performance. Initially, the handler should examine the course with an eye to formulating strategies for directing the dog. Accuracy and speed are equally important. The handler needs to figure out ways to balance the dog’s strengths, weaknesses, and speed.
Because all courses are different, before a competition handlers are allowed to do a brief run-through. At this time, all the handlers competing in a dog agility training course may do a run, or a walk, through the course area without their dogs. This will enable them to decide how best to place themselves, to help their dogs follow the quickest path through the numbered obstacles. The handler may follow a different path from that of the dog, so it is useful to have time to plan a path that allows good speed.
Every dog has an opportunity to try to run the entire course successfully. The dog begins at the starting line. At the handler’s instruction, he begins to move around the course. The handler usually runs close to the dog, guiding him with spoken commands and body language.
Although the general form of various obstacles is similar wherever they are found, the rules followed by various dog agility training organizations may have slightly different dimensions and building regulations for the obstacles. Some of the obstacles are: A-frame, Crossover, Teeter-totter, and Dogwalk. Tunnels may be chutes or rigid tunnels. Jump obstacles include hurdles, double and triple jumps, panel jump, tire jump, and others. Dog agility starter kits are available for doing agility training with your dog at home. You may want to consider beginning with such a kit. Most dogs love agility training, and using a starter kit will give you a way to spend some real quality time with your dog. If you make allowances for your dog’s age and physical condition, you and your dog are in for some great exercise together!
Have a great "dog training" day,
Dr. Alfonso
