If you’ve seen a few dog agility videos, then you know how much fun this sport can be to watch. But what if you took it a step further and considered agility training for dogs with your own sweet pooch? At Carlson Agility, we can get you started with this amazing activity, and we promise that you will enjoy a myriad of benefits. Let’s take a comprehensive look at agility.
What Is Agility Training for Dogs?
The sport of dog agility was developed in the 1970s in the United Kingdom and first demonstrated at the famous Crufts Dog Show. From there, it took off and became an international success, becoming the most popular dog sport in the world.
Agility training for dogs is simply the act of teaching your dog to master a variety of dog agility obstacles, as well as mastering these skills at a high rate of speed with accuracy. During competitions, dog and handler are judged on completing a dog agility course in the correct order, managing all obstacles correctly, and completing the course as quickly as possible.
Keep in mind, agility training for dogs doesn’t have to include the goal of competing in dog agility trials. If competition isn’t your thing, you and your furry friend can enjoy all of the benefits of dog agility by setting up a backyard dog obstacle course just for fun.
What Are The Obstacles For Dog Agility Courses?
While there are many different dog agility organizations (NADAC, AKC, UKC, etc.), they all typically use the same pieces of dog agility equipment. Most courses feature anywhere from 14 to 20 obstacles. The number of obstacles varies by class level. For example, beginner and senior divisions may have fewer obstacles, while advanced classes include more.
On most courses, you will find the following dog agility course equipment:
- Pause Table – Dogs must sit, stay and lie down for a few seconds before continuing to the next obstacle.
- Dog Agility Teeter Totter – Dogs must touch the bottom edge when heading on and off this obstacle.
- Dog Agility A Frame – Dogs also must touch the bottom part of the A-frame when heading on and off the frame.
- Agility Dog Walk – For this obstacle, dogs again must touch the bottom part when entering and exiting the equipment.
- Dog Tunnel – Dogs must zip in and out of the tunnel and look to their handler to see which obstacle is next.
- Dog Weave Poles – These are a challenging obstacle, and dogs must quickly move through the poles in order to move on to the next piece of agility equipment.
- Dog Agility Tire Jump – Most agility courses will include this unique type of jump.
- Dog Jumps – The remainder of the course will feature a variety of jumps, and may include single jumps, double jumps, triple jumps, panel jumps and more.
The heights of the dog obstacle equipment vary depending on the agility class. For instance, jump heights for juniors, seniors and smaller breeds will be lower. For small breeds, mini agility equipment such as a mini teeter or mini dog walk will be used to ensure safety.
What Age Should a Dog Start Agility?
Ideally, you should not begin agility training until your dog is fully grown. Puppies can become injured easily, so rather than opt for puppy agility, spend these months teaching obedience skills, walking skills and basic games such as fetch or find the toy.
By the time your dog is ready for agility, they will already have learned how to sit, stay, and lie day, hopefully off-leash and with you at a distance. These obedience skills lay a great foundation for agility training. Teaching the tunnel could be an option for puppies, but jumps and weaves and apparatus such as the teeter are best left until after your dog’s growth spurt is complete.
What Type of Dog is Best for Agility?
This is a common question, as well as questions such as “how can you tell if agility training is a good idea for your dog?” Or breed-specific questions, such as “Is agility training safe for dachshunds?”
In general, most healthy dogs can enjoy some level of dog agility training. Agility is usually open to all breeds, including mixed breeds. If your dog is healthy, friendly with other dogs, and has excellent obedience skills and a high energy level, they can be a great fit for agility, whether you compete in agility trials or just enjoy some backyard fun and exercise.
With tiny breeds such as dachshunds, simply restrict the sizes and focus on safer obstacles for their body type, such as tunnels and weave poles. Some tiny breeds, however, can handle just about any obstacle. There is even an organization, the Teacup Dogs Agility Association (TDAA), that hosts agility trials for dogs measuring 22” or under, but most major agility organizations have categories for small dogs.
Some dogs, such as those prone to breathing issues or hip displacement, might not be great candidates for dog agility. Likewise, dogs that are stubborn or low-energy dogs also might not enjoy zipping around an agility course.
Can You Start Dog Agility Training on Your Own?
Absolutely! There are tons of tutorials and articles online (including on our own site) that can help you get started with agility training for dogs. We typically recommend that you begin by introducing one piece of agility equipment at a time.
You could, for instance, introduce a simple single dog agility jump, and once your dog understands that skill, teach the tunnel. Then you could do some combinations with the tunnel, a couple of jumps, and maybe add the teeter or pause table. There is no wrong or right way to begin, but typically, obstacles such as weaves, teeters, and a-frames are the most difficult to teach, so some people choose to reserve those for later in training.
Be sure to keep sessions short, maybe 15-20 minutes max, and do a quick warm-up and cool-down to prevent muscle injuries. If it’s a hot day, limit the time or opt for early morning and late evening sessions, or opt for some indoor training with just one or two pieces of equipment. Always keep fresh water on hand so your dog can stay hydrated.
There are many benefits of dog agility training. Not only does it provide a great source of exercise for you and your dog, but it also provides mental stimulation and increases the bond between the two of you.
Carlson Agility – Build Your Backyard Agility Course
At Carlson Agility, we can provide you we everything you need to begin agility training for dogs. All our dog agility equipment is competition-quality, handmade, and built using the finest components to ensure safety. You can purchase individual items or try a dog agility starter kit, and we have several options. No matter how you get started, you and your dog will have a blast. Please contact us at any time if you have questions about any of our products.
