One of the most common questions we get asked about agility is how to get started with dog agility training equipment. There’s really no perfect answer to this question and there’s no “ideal” beginner piece of equipment. Purchasing an agility starter kit can be an easy way to get started, and we have several options.
Our Dog Agility Training Equipment Kits
We have eight different agility sets for dogs, and each one can be a great option for those just getting started with dog agility. Here’s a quick look at the options.
Dog Agility Starter Kit A
This kit includes four jumps and weave poles. While dog agility jumps can be fairly easy to teach, weave poles are probably the most difficult obstacle for dogs to learn and for handlers to train. However, some people love to get started with weave poles simply because they enjoy getting one of the toughest challenges out of the way.
Dog Agility Starter Kit B
This one includes a dog tunnel and two jumps, and this is one of the easier options to consider. Dog tunnel training and jumps can be easy to teach, and once dogs get used to the tunnel, they usually love it.
Dog Agility Starter Kit C
This includes four pieces of dog agility training equipment – a pause table, tire jump, double jump and weave poles. This is a great kit for anyone who wants to try out a variety of obstacles.
Dog Agility Starter Kit D
This is a nice basic dog agility kit for beginners as it includes two jumps and an agility pause table. The pause table might lack excitement but it’s an excellent beginning training tool. You can teach basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay and lay down and even start distance training using the pause table.
Dog Agility Starter Kit E
This kit is similar to Kit D but simply includes two additional jumps. When it comes to dog agility training equipment, jumps are the most common obstacles you’ll encounter on an agility course, so honing those jumping skills is crucial.
Dog Agility Starter Kit F
This kit includes four jumps, a huge set of weave poles and a teeter-totter. This can be a great option if you want to focus on jumps and weaves. The teeter can be a bit daunting at first, but once your dog gets the hang of it, they will love it and once they’ve mastered the teeter, training the dog walk and agility a-frame will be a snap.
Dog Agility Starter Kit G
This kit is a lot of fun and one of our most popular dog agility sets. It includes a teeter, tire jump and weave poles. If you have a high-energy, enthusiastic pooch, this kit can be a perfect fit. Once dogs get the hang of agility weaves, teeter-totters and tire jumps, they adore these obstacles. These three are a bit trickier to train than regular jumps, the pause table and the tunnel, but if your dog can handle these three, they can do just about anything.
Dog Agility Starter Kit H
This kit expands on Kit B with the addition of a pause table. We highly recommend this option to anyone just getting started with dog agility that wants to take it nice and easy. These are easy obstacles to teach and tend to be less intimidating for dogs than the teeter, a-frame and dog walk.
When it comes to the tunnel, just ensure that you have a trusted human companion on either end of the tunnel at first to coax your dog through. After they make it successfully through the tunnel, provide lots of praise and perhaps a treat and, before you know it, they will be zipping through that tunnel.
What About Competitions?
All of our dog agility training equipment is built to competition course standards. These items are exactly like the ones you will see at competitions sponsored by NADAC, CPE, AKC, UKC and other popular dog agility organizations. Each piece of dog agility equipment is handcrafted using the highest quality components.
Of course, many of our customers don’t purchase dog agility training equipment for the purpose of entering their dog into competitions. Dog agility is an amazing sport, and the competitions are fun, but there are several other reasons to consider dog agility, including:
- It’s Amazing Exercise
Unfortunately, many dogs in the United States are overweight, which can lead to serious health problems and even a shorter lifespan. Dog agility provides a total body workout for your furry friend, helping them stay healthy and fit at any age. It’s also a great workout for human companions.
Even senior dogs can enjoy agility, provided you don’t overdo it. Exercise can help keep weight down, which can lessen the effects of conditions such as arthritis, which is a common issue with senior dogs. While you will want to keep jumps low and perhaps keep training sessions short, many senior dogs are healthy enough to enjoy this form of exercise.
- Agility Improves Your Bond
When you spend time together learning dog agility skills, this helps you better understand each other’s personalities. This is a great way to improve the bond between you and a new rescue dog, as they might feel a bit unsure. Spending time running about your backyard agility course can be a great way to get to know each other. Just like playing sports, in general, provides humans with an opportunity to bond, it also can provide you with some good dog-human bonding time.
- Agility Improves Obedience
Dogs often are disobedient because they are bored or anxious. A couple of good agility workouts each day and soothe anxiety and reduce boredom. You often will find that your dog is calmer and happier with a regular exercise schedule, and agility provides a very engaging and interesting form of exercise for your dog.
Additionally, you can teach crucial obedience skills such as sitting and staying during agility training. You also can use this time to work on distance training, which is something all handlers will need to do at some point if they wish to compete. This is simply teaching your furry companion to obey dog agility commands off-leash with you at a distance from them. This not only helps with competition, but it also keeps them safe in other situations, such as at the dog park or any situation when they are off-leash.
Whether or not you decide to compete, we have all of the dog agility training equipment you might need here at Carlson Agility. In addition to our full-size dog agility equipment, we also have mini agility equipment, which is ideal for small breeds or training in a smaller yard or even some indoor rainy-day training. If you don’t see exactly what you need or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
