Dog agility training provides canines with an excellent source of exercise, but some dog parents are hesitant to dive into this sport because they aren’t sure that their dog is a good fit. While breeds such as Australian shepherds are heralded as perfect for agility, just about any dog of any breed (or mixed breeds) can excel at agility. We’ve found that it’s often less about the breed and more about the following characteristics that determine whether or not your dog will be a great agility dog.
1. High Energy Levels
Agility demands a lot of energy. Dogs who are naturally active and enjoy being on the move often do well in this sport. If your dog doesn’t have the energy to launch over a dog agility jump, dash through a tunnel or navigate the weave poles, they might not be a great fit for agility training.
2. Intelligence & Trainability
Dogs who are quick learners and eager to please are more likely to pick up agility skills rapidly. Intelligence and a willingness to be trained are crucial. While certain breeds are known for their intelligence, every dog is unique, so if you have a little mixed breed that is as smart as a whip and easy to train, this dog might be a great fit for agility training.
3. Good Physical Health
Since dog agility is physically demanding, dogs in good health with strong muscles and joints are better suited for the sport. We always recommend talking with your dog’s veterinarian to ensure that they are fit enough to handle dog agility training. We also always recommend that include warm-up and cool-down exercises during every training session and that you ensure all jumps are at the correct height for your dog’s size and age.
To determine dog agility jumping height, measure your dog at their withers, which is the shoulder blade area. Then check out the height requirements for dog training equipment set forth by organizations such as the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) or the American Kennel Club (AKC), etc. These groups also set standards for how many obstacles there will be on a course and the distance between obstacles, which also is set to ensure safety. The equipment standards set by NADAC and other groups were created to keep dogs as safe as possible on the agility course, so be sure to adhere to those guidelines. Of course, when you begin, it’s best to ensure that every dog agility jump is set at its lowest point or even on the ground to get your dog used to the process of jumping.
4. Confidence
Dogs that are confident and not easily frightened or overwhelmed by new experiences or environments tend to do better in agility courses. Having said this, dog agility training can be a great way to boost the confidence of a timid dog. It might take a bit more time and patience and plenty of praise, but learning how to zoom through a dog tunnel or leap through a tire jump can truly help a shy dog come out of their shell literally in leaps and bounds.
5. Focus & Concentration
Dogs that can concentrate and not get easily distracted by surroundings are more adept at following complex agility commands. This is an important skill because, during agility competitions, there are plenty of distractions and your dog competes off-leash with you at a distance. Of course, agility training also can be used to improve focus, but if your dog has a difficult time concentrating on your instructions while outside, this might be a dog best suited to on-leash exercise.
6. Agility & Coordination
Inherent agility and good coordination are key, as the sport involves navigating through various physical obstacles. Of course, with patience and plenty of training, a dog that seems to lack agility and coordination may improve over time and be able to enjoy a clean run time after time. But, if you have a dog with natural coordination this makes it much easier to teach agility skills.
7. Drive & Motivation
Dogs with a natural drive and motivation, especially those excited by challenges or motivated by rewards, tend to excel in agility training. While certain breeds seem to possess this naturally, every dog is unique, so if you have a dog that enjoys playing games and is easily motivated by treats or praise, this can indicate that your dog might excel at agility and enjoy using dog agility equipment.
8. Social & Friendly Nature
Since agility training involves interaction with trainers, other dogs, and sometimes crowds, dogs that are social and friendly adapt better to this environment. If your dog tends to be aggressive with other animals or people, agility competitions are probably not a good fit.
If your dog does exhibit problem behaviors, we recommend working with a dog behaviorist to reduce or eliminate aggressive behaviors and to improve obedience. Even then, some dogs simply aren’t easy to socialize, and agility is better served as a fun backyard activity rather than a competitive sport. That’s perfectly ok, too, because building a backyard dog agility course can still be tons of fun and provide plenty of exercise for your pooch.
9. Adaptability
Dogs that adapt quickly to new situations and can handle changes in routine or environment are well-suited for the dynamic nature of agility sports.
Remember, while these characteristics are often seen in successful agility dogs, each dog is unique. Many dogs can enjoy and benefit from agility training even if they don’t tick all these boxes. The key is to find a sport that both the dog and owner can enjoy together.
It’s usually recommended to start with basic training and see how your dog responds before investing in agility equipment. If your dog learns these skills quickly, it’s likely that they also will be able to learn agility skills quickly. Of course, you also can use agility equipment to improve dog obedience. For instance, the pause table is a perfect spot to work on basic obedience skills such as sit, stay, and lay down.
What About Size and Build?
You might think only large dogs are suited to agility, but teacup dogs have their own agility organization and we’ve seen little guys such as Dachshunds dashing about a mini agility course. Some larger dogs, especially those prone to hip displacement or musculoskeletal issues might not be a good fit, despite being larger and seemingly more capable of jumping and running.
The key to successful agility training is to always ensure that your equipment is set up for your specific dog’s height, age and level of experience. We have a full selection of mini agility equipment perfect for those tiny dogs, so if you have an energetic Chihuahua or Maltese, this equipment can be a perfect fit.
Our Dog Agility Equipment
At Carlson Agility, we have a huge selection of competition-quality dog obstacles. Our quality, handmade agility equipment includes every type of dog agility jump as well as weave poles, a dog agility A frame, dog walks, pause tables, the dog agility teeter and more. We also have a selection of helpful training tools, including wobble boards, planks and guide wires. Whether you wish to dive into the competitive world or simply want to have fun with your dog, agility training can be a fantastic option and we have everything you need to get started. If you have any questions about our dog agility equipment, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
