If you are searching for a fun activity for you and your furry friend to enjoy, using dog agility equipment can be a fantastic option. You might believe that dog agility is only for certain breeds or certain ages of dogs, but this is not the case. Just about any healthy dog can enjoy agility training, including the following “categories” of pooches.
Puppy Training
While dogs are not allowed to become agility dog competitors until after they have reached their first birthdays, it doesn’t mean that you can’t begin training before they reach this date. In fact, training a puppy to use dog agility equipment can be a fantastic way to teach obedience skills and to bond with your puppy companion.
When it comes to puppy training, start out gently and slowly. Training can begin just about as soon as you get them, but keep these sessions short as puppies have limited attention spans. Teach your puppy the rules of the house and some basic routines (when and where we eat, potty & sleep, etc.). You also can begin by playing some simple games, such as fetch and tug. Teach your puppy to find a toy, bring it back and return it to you and teach them to tug and let go on command. This plants the seeds of obedience and they have a wonderful time in the bargain.
From there, you can use a few pieces of mini dog agility equipment. This equipment is a safe option for puppies as well as small dogs. We recommend that you start with a pause table or pause square, and this provides you with an opportunity to also teach commands such as sit, stay and lay down. You also can begin to work on distance training using this piece of contact equipment. From there, you can begin to add obstacles such as jumps, tunnels, teeters and more.
Young Dogs
If you have a dog between the ages of about one to about five years in age, this is a perfect time to start using dog agility equipment. These dogs should be at the peak of their physical condition, and really enjoy zipping around an agility course. Agility training provides a fantastic form of exercise that can keep dogs fit and healthy, which can help to extend their life.
Additionally, if you notice that your dog seems restless and often ends up displaying destructive behavior, this can be due to a lack of exercise and stimulation. Using agility equipment provides exercise, but it also provides a style of exercise that engages your dog’s instinctive behavior. After you begin agility training, you should notice a decrease in negative behavior, as your dog will be able to release all of that energy during their agility practice sessions.
Keep in mind that dogs do have short attention spans, so keep each practice session fairly short. It also can help to take your dog on a short walk or perhaps play a quick game of fetch before a practice session. While you don’t want to use up all of your dog’s energy, expending a little bit of energy can make it easier for them to focus on agility training.
Senior Dogs
You’ve certainly heard the old adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but don’t let this statement dissuade you from trying dog agility with your older pooch. If you have a senior dog still in good physical condition, using dog agility equipment can be a fun way for you and your pooch to exercise and blow off some steam.
To accommodate the physical constraints of your older dog, simply lower the jump heights and distances. You might also reduce the number of obstacles that you set up in your back yard. Focus more on the aspects of fun and fitness rather than time and accuracy, and keep practice sessions shorter than you would for a younger, spry dog. If you choose to compete, most agility dog organizations have special competition categories for senior dogs and these courses simply have fewer obstacles and less challenging obstacles and the time requirements also generally are increased.
Rescue Dogs & Timid Dogs
Providing a rescue dog with a forever home is wonderful, but sometimes it can be tough to bond with your new furry friend. This is especially true if your rescue animal is a bit timid. Agility training and using dog agility equipment can provide you with a fantastic way to bond with your new companion. You will be able to learn more about your new dog’s personality, and your consistent praise and enthusiasm will make it easier for your new dog to become comfortable with you. While agility training always requires patience from the handler, this is especially true with a rescue dog or a shyer dog. Start out slowly, and perhaps simply lead your dog into the yard and simply let them sniff and explore the agility equipment prior to teaching any specific skill.
As with puppies, using agility equipment also provides you with a fantastic way to teach some obedience skills. Too often, rescue dogs are sent to the pound simply because they lack basic obedience skills. Through agility and play, you can train your rescue dog to sit, stay and come to you on command, which helps maintain peace in your household and keeps your dog safe. After all, agility dogs are trained to run around and focus on an agility course, despite the fact that there are many other dogs and people in close vicinity to them. They don’t simply run off and they are able to follow commands even when their handler is several feet away. With a timid dog, it also can be a good idea to begin agility training by using mini agility equipment. For instance, a smaller teeter or A-frame will be much less intimating to a timid dog than full-size agility equipment.
In general, most healthy and energetic dogs are good candidates for agility training. If you aren’t sure if your dog is a good candidate for agility, talk with your veterinarian and consider joining a local agility club to gauge your dog’s interest. When you are ready to get started with training, we have all of the dog agility equipment you might need including all types of contact equipment, jumps, tire jumps, weaves, tunnels, chutes and helpful training tools. We even have specialized UKC equipment, such as window jumps, crawl tunnels and swing planks.
Brad Carlson enjoys dog agility training. To find agility equipment or to find more about training equipment for dog agility equipment, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com website today.
