Agility Dog Training & Equipment

Equipment

• Agility dogs must be able to navigate through several specific types of obstacles that were designed to require extensive training to master. The standard agility equipment consists of adjustable planks, tunnels, hurdles, teeter-totters, weave poles and suspended hoops.

  The dog gains greater confidence and dexterity with increased exposure to the various equipment types. If the agility work is for entertainment purposes only and not for competition preparation, any of these equipment options can be eliminated. The budget-conscious dog owner can also find instructions for building the equipment himself to save money.

Training

• Most dog owners who want to train their dog to work with agility equipment find a nearby training class. But the more experienced dog owner/trainer may decide to go it alone.

  Most agility competitions require the dog to move through the course without a leash. This means that training will need to be done in order to control the dog properly with voice commands alone. The American Kennel Club offers a list of organizations that provide agility training.

Competitions

• Younger dog trainers can locate junior agility events where they can practice competing and gain confidence in their handling abilities and the dog can practice the events. These usually put less emphasis on the time for completion than the regular events.

  Regular agility competitions are more serious and it's all about the time to complete the course. But there will always be a few new competitors with slower times who have entered in order to gain experience. A good source for agility trials is the American Kennel Club web site.

Safety

• In order to prepare for agility competitions with safety in mind, the dog must be able to be controlled with voice commands at all times. The dog must to be able to stay in control around other dogs and people, without becoming overly excited or afraid. If the dog isn't able to do this, more training will be necessary before entry in a competition.

  The equipment used for training should be inspected often for safety and to keep it in good repair. No one wants to have a dog injured by improperly maintained equipment.

Benefits

• Both purebred dogs and mixed breeds can take part in the events. Since agility competitions are open to any type of dog, it's a sport that almost any dog and owner can enjoy together. Agility work gives both the dog and trainer good exercise and a way to have fun together. Even if your dog is not ready to compete in agility trials, the events are fun to watch because they are fast moving and exciting.