If you are just diving into the agility world and getting those paws wet so to speak, you might be a bit overwhelmed and not quite where to start your training. The good news is that you can start with just about obstacles, from jumps to items such as the dog walk. Agility equipment such as the dog walk is known as contact equipment. Here’s a quick look at these items and some handy tips for training.
The Pause Table
We’ve put the pause table first in this blog post because it tends to be the least intimidating for dogs. Sometimes they are hesitant to climb on to the pause table, but it usually with just a treat or two, they are happy to climb aboard.
Of course, the actual task of hopping onto the pause table and spending a few seconds sitting, staying and laying down isn’t usually a dog’s favorite activity on the agility course. Still, this is a great spot for basic obedience training and a fantastic spot for the start of distance training.
When you first teach an obstacle, you typically are right next to your dog, but as training progresses, your dog must get used to having their handler stand several feet away. Dogs must learn to follow commands and stay on task with the handler at a distance and with no leash, of course, and the pause table can be a great place for this type of training. After all, they already are sitting and staying, why not add some distance?
The Dog Walk
When it comes to the dog walk, agility pooches tend to be a bit intimidated by this item at first. It’s narrow and off the ground, which can be a bit daunting, although some dogs take to it immediately.
We tend to recommend using the dog walk before trying the A-frame or teeter, simply because it is a bit less intimidating than the steep angles of the A-frame and the movement of the teeter. But you also might consider starting with t a mini teeter and then moving up to a full-size teeter. If the dog can handle the teeter, the definitely should be less intimidated by the dog walk.
At any rate, we have several dog walk options. We have a classic dog walk, similar to what you will see on just about any agility course. We also have a space-age dog walk. Agility equipment can be state-of-the-art! Actually, our space-age dog walk is designed to reduce bouncing when in use, although we still definitely recommend staking your equipment.
We have a 12-foot space-age dog walk, which is the same length as our 12-foot classic dog walk, and we also have an 8-foot space-age dog walk. You also can opt for adjustable or non-adjustable stands depending on what you prefer. Adjustable definitely provides you with some flexibility in the early days of training. If you have a small dog or puppy, we do have a mini dog walk for agility.
Aside from the narrowness of the dog walk, agility dogs often have trouble when it comes to exiting and entering this piece of equipment. Technically, all four paws are meant to touch the bottom part of the dog walk. Agility equipment has sections painting in different colors so that handlers will know where dogs should enter and exit. We also sell a training hoop that can make it difficult for dogs to leap onto the dog walk and risk losing points because they enter at the wrong spot.
The A-Frame
The A-frame also features two colors so that handlers know where their dogs should enter and exit. Dogs tend to be very enthusiastic on an agility course and will leap too high onto the A-frame or teeter or dog walk. Agility hoops can be purchased for the A-frame as well as the dog walk to use during training, and we definitely recommend this training tool.
The A-frame’s height is typically the most daunting aspect of this obstacle. To get started, simply lead them up the A-frame slowly and back down again. Some pats, an encouraging word or two, and, perhaps, a treat, can make these first forays up and down the A-frame quite a bit easier.
The Teeter
Of all the obstacles on a course, the weaves are probably the most difficult to teach, but the teeter is the one that dogs tend to fear the most. They have to climb up and then deal with the downward movement of the teeter, which can be scary.
We recommend starting out very slowly with this one and just patiently leading them up and over. It can take several training sessions before your dog is comfortable walking up and down the teeter. Just be patient, and eventually, they will be able to handle this piece of contact equipment with ease.
Once your dog is comfortable with the teeter, you can work on speeding up as they walk across. It is important to note that this piece of equipment also has specific entry and exit portions, and your dog will need to touch down (all four paws) in these sections. These sections actually are there partly as a protective measure. Dogs would love nothing more than to leap on and off a teeter, dog walk or A-frame, but that’s not the safest option for them.
No matter what type of contact equipment you might need, we have it all here at Carlson Agility. If you need a dog walk, agility a-frame, a pause table, weaves, teeters, jumps or some handy training tools, we can help.
