Dog agility is one of the most popular dog sports, and aside from the fun factor, it’s well-liked because just about every dog can participate. Most breeds are allowed, including mixed-breeds, making it an all-inclusive dog sport. If you want to get started, we have all the dog agility training equipment you might want, but first, learn a bit about this amazing sport.
The History Of Dog Agility
Dog agility originated in the United Kingdom back in the 1970s, so it’s been around for more than 40 years. The first official agility competition was created to entertain the crowd at the annual Crufts dog show. Within just a few years, agility was recognized as an official sport and dog agility fever spread across the seas to the United States, Canada and Australia. These days, about two dozen countries host dog agility events, and there are events held on every continent except for Antarctica.
In the United States, there are several prominent dog agility organizations. The United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) is the largest, but the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) also host agility events. Other popular organizations include the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC), Canine Performance Events (CPE) and several other smaller groups.
What Equipment Is Used In Dog Agility?
In general, most organizations use similar dog agility training equipment. Just about every course regardless of the organization will use the following pieces of dog agility equipment:
- Pause Table
- Dog Agility A-Frame
- Agility Dog Walk
- Dog Agility Teeter Totter
- Dog Tunnel
- Agility Jumps
- Tire Jump
- Agility Weave Poles
When it comes to dog agility jumps, there are usually a variety of jumps on the course, and jumps make up the largest portion of the course. Some organizations, such as UKC, have special obstacles such as swing planks, a sway bridge and a window jump. We have these UKC agility equipment items, as well as any others you might need.
Is Agility Training Good For Dogs?
Dog agility can be a fantastic source of exercise for dogs. Not only does it get the blood pumping, but they also use all their muscles. It’s a fantastic full-body workout. It also challenges the mind of your dog, providing them with interesting activities.
If you have a dog that tends to chew on items such as shoes or furniture or a dog that barks constantly or misbehaves, agility training can be a great option. Agility provides an outlet for this negative energy and channels it into something positive. Additionally, as you train with agility, the bond between you and your dog will strengthen as well as the level of trust.
Dogs often misbehave because they are bored or perhaps anxious. When they have enough exercise, this typically reduces the boredom issue and when they spend extra time with their humans, this makes them happier and less anxious. Agility training can be a win-win for everyone because it also provides some fun and exercise for their human companions, as well.
Which Breeds of Dogs Can Do Agility?
We often get asked the above question, as well as “what makes a good agility dog?” Just about every breed (and mixed breeds) can be a good fit for agility. Certain breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs probably aren’t a great fit because they are prone to breathing issues and cannot really exert themselves as much as a dog needs to on an agility course.
Some dog breeds tend to be more lackadaisical than others. If you have an indolent Shih Tzu or a languid mastiff, these might not be a great match either. Some dog breeds also can be prone to back and hip issues. For these dogs, jumping is not recommended, but you certainly could enjoy some backyard fun with tunnels, dog walks, weaves, teeters and non-jumping options.
In general, any healthy dog with good energy can be a great fit for agility. It’s always best to speak with your veterinarian before you start using dog agility training equipment, especially if you intend to compete. Keep in mind, many folks use agility equipment simply to have some fun and provide their dog with an exciting type of exercise, and never compete in agility events. Events can be fun, but there’s nothing wrong with keeping it in the backyard either.
Can Small Dogs Do Agility?
Most small dogs can handle agility, they simply need to use small equipment. In general, though, dogs with short legs, such as Dachshunds probably aren’t suited to agility, but most healthy dogs can enjoy the sport. At Carlson Agility, we have mini agility equipment for those smaller dogs. If you choose to enter agility competitions, smaller equipment and lower jumps will be used to accommodate these tinier breeds.
When Should A Dog Start Agility Training?
In general, dogs should be fully grown before beginning agility training. Puppies should not be leaping over jumps before they have finished development. Still, with constant supervision, you could teach a puppy how to use a tunnel or guide them up and down a mini teeter, mini dog walk or mini a-frame. There’s no real hurry, of course, dogs typically need to be more than a year old before they can even participate in agility competitions.
With puppies, you can teach basic obedience skills such as sit, stay and lay down using the pause table. You also can teach them other fun skills that will sharpen their intellect and make it easier to teach agility in general. For instance, teaching them to fetch a toy, bring it back, and drop it is a great skill to learn.
They will learn that if they fetch the toy, they will be praised and encouraged. Dogs love praise more than just about anything you could give them. Learning how to please and knowing that their humans are pleased gives them a sense of security and belonging. They see that they are an important part of the pack because they can follow the rules of the pack and because their humans enjoy spending time with them.
Our Dog Agility Training Equipment
At Carlson Agility, we’ve been in the agility game for more than 20 years. Each piece of agility equipment is handmade using the finest possible components. We have a huge selection of jumps, including tire jumps and UKC jumps. We also have teeters, dog agility tunnels, a-frames, dog walks, pause tables and some handy training tools.
No matter what piece of dog agility training equipment you might need, we have it at Carlson Agility including mini agility equipment. If you aren’t sure which obstacles to purchase, consider opting for one of our handy starter kits. If you have any questions about our products, send us an email at any time.
