If you are just getting started in the world of dog agility, you probably have quite a few questions, and one of most common questions we hear is “which piece of dog agility equipment should I purchase first?” Actually, there is no wrong or right answer, but rather than choosing just one item, it might be better to look at our dog agility starter kit options.
At Carlson Agility, we offer eight different starter kits, to provide our clients with a wide range of options. Here’s a look at each kit, and some advice about which one you might select for your own furry friend.
Dog Agility Starter Kit A
Our Dog Agility Starter Kit A includes four jumps and a set of weave poles. Jumps are often a very good place to start, as dogs enjoy running and jumping, and agility courses typically are packed with jumps. Weaves can be tricky to teach, but this piece of dog agility equipment isn’t as intimidating as teeters, a-frames and dog walks so if you have a timid dog, weaves ensure that your pooch doesn’t have to climb or deal with the movement of the teeter.
Dog Agility Starter Kit B
This kit can be a fantastic option for just about any dog, and it includes two jumps and a tunnel. Jumps and tunnels tend to be fairly easy to teach in the beginning stages, but if your dog does feel a bit intimidated by the tunnel, there are ways to entice your furry friend to travel from end to end. The best method tends to be having a trusted person at either end of the tunnel, encouraging the dog to move through the tunnel from one person to the other. Treats also can be used to entice your dog through the tunnel, and before you know it, they will zip through the tunnel with ease.
Dog Agility Starter Kit C
This kit contains a bit of everything – a basic jump, a tire jump, a pause table and weaves. With these four pieces of dog agility equipment, you can set up a mini course in your backyard for some quality training. Be sure to teach one piece of equipment at a time, and then teach your dog how to move from one piece of equipment to another. Once you set up your course, you might start with the basic jump, then the pause table, then the weaves and finally, the tire jump.
Dog Agility Starter Kit D
This kit is ideal for a pooch that tends to be a bit hesitant with new things. This kit contains a pause table and two jumps, and these are two pieces of equipment that dogs tend to learn quickly. The pause table is a great spot from which to begin distance training, which is a big component of agility training. You can teach your dog to sit, stay and lay down with you by your dog’s side, and then gradually increase the distance between you and your dog until you are several feet away.
Dog Agility Starter Kit E
This starter kit is an expansion of Dog Agility Starter Kit D, as it contains a pause table and not two, but four jumps. As stated before, agility courses are packed with jumps, so learning the ins and outs of jumping is an essential skill and this starter kit can help.
Dog Agility Starter Kit F
This starter kit is packed with dog agility equipment, including a teeter, 12 weave poles and four single jumps. This is a great option if you have a dog that has perhaps tried out some agility equipment at a local agility club meet-up and took to the sport quickly. It contains a little bit of everything you need to master on the agility course, including jumps, contact equipment and weaves.
You might notice that the pause table and the teeter are the two pieces of contact equipment we include in our dog agility starter kits. The pause table, while not as exciting as some pieces of equipment, is an excellent training tool and the teeter is the most intimidating piece of contact equipment, so once your dog can handle the teeter, the a-frame and dog walk should be much easier to introduce.
Dog Agility Starter Kit G
This kit is one of my personal favorites, but it does contain some challenging pieces of dog agility equipment. This kit includes a set weaves, a tire jump and a teeter, which are three of the most exciting pieces of equipment to watch a dog tackle. If you have a bold dog with tons of energy, why not start out with this super fun dog agility starter kit?
Dog Agility Starter Kit H
This starter kit is combination of Kit B and D, essentially, and includes two jumps, a pause table and a tunnel. This can be a fantastic kit for anyone new to the sport, as these pieces of dog agility equipment tend to be easy for handlers to teach and for dogs to master.
Of course, we don’t just sell dog agility starter kits, we also sell any piece of dog agility equipment that you might need, a la carte. We also have mini agility equipment for smaller dogs and puppy training. If you have any questions about a dog agility starter kit or any piece of dog agility equipment, don’t hesitate to send us an email at any time.
