Agility Ladder Training

The agility ladder is not an official piece of equipment used in canine agility and therefore is never used in trials. However, it is a key component in training a dog for the sport of agility and giving him the skills necessary for a safe performance on regular agility equipment. It can also be used to help rebuild strength after an injury.

  1. What It Is

    • The agility ladder is usually made out of PVC pipes (the plastic tubing used for household plumbing). Each crossbar is spaced in increments of approximately a foot or more. It is usually raised up a few inches from the ground. It can also be flipped over flat for use with puppies and small dogs. You can buy already-constructed agility ladders from a variety of agility equipment suppliers online or at agility trials, or you can make one yourself at home.

    What It Teaches

    • The agility ladder is a safe starting point for adjusting dogs to using agility equipment. It can help build confidence in beginning dogs and puppies. Most of all, it teaches dogs hind end and rear feet awareness. Some dogs are more body conscious and have a natural concept of where their back feet are, but many dogs don't really pay much attention to what their back half is doing. In ladder training, dogs learn that they have back feet, and how and where they place those feet matters.

    Why It's Important

    • Rear end awareness is crucial for every obstacle on an agility course. In order to successfully and safely negotiate agility equipment, dogs need to have control of their entire bodies. The dogwalk is a narrow obstacle that can be scary for many dogs. By understanding where their back feet are and how to manipulate them, dogs are able to safely and comfortably maneuver across it. On the A-frame and See-Saw there are contact zones--areas where a dog must place its feet before leaving the piece of equipment. Training a dog to recognize these contact zones is easier if he knows where all of his feet are.

    How To Train the Dog

    • Start out by luring a dog slowly through the ladder with a treat. After you've successfully lured him through the ladder a few times, you can start holding out on rewarding him until he's done part, and then all, of the ladder himself.

    Problems

    • If the dog is suspicious of the ladder at first, back up to clicking and treating (or just treating) for all contact with the ladder until you move up to him, taking a step in it and walking through it. If he isn't lifting his feet up over each and every rung, slow down to a pace where he is comfortable.