Weimaraner Agility Training

The slender, long-legged Weimaraner is a dog breed known for its agile grace and athletic abilities. To help burn off this dog breed's endless energy, agility training is often pursued. In agility training classes, Weimaraners are taught to successfully complete a series of obstacle course tasks, off-leash, with the coaching of their handler. Whether it's a timed, sanctioned event or a Weimaraner enthusiasts club activity, completing an agility course provides needed exercise and mental stimulation. Weimaraner agility training also reduces anxiety and creates a trusting bond between the handler and the Weimaraner.

  1. History

    • Created for its entertainment value, agility training began as an amusing sideshow to entertain crowds at dog shows. Agility courses for Weimaraners were created to mimic popular equestrian competitions. The similarities are still evident today, with standard jumps and weave poles present in both equestrian and dog agility events. In 1979, dog agility made its debut at the world's largest dog exhibition, the Crufts Dog Show.

    Exhibitions

    • Today, agility training with Weimaraners has become a competition all its own. The American Kennel Club (AKC), United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) and the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) host professional events throughout the United States. Local clubs and canine groups also host events to show case the skills of Weimaraners in agility training.

    Types

    • A typical Weimaraner agility training course contains several obstacles that display the dog's ability to jump, climb, crawl, go under or weave around items. Weimaraners show off their athletic skills by crawling through collapsed tunnels, balancing a teeter board, completing elevated jumps over poles, jumping through suspended tires and finessing their way through a set of weave poles.

    Excelling

    • Weimaraners excel at agility training, according to the Sacramento Valley Weimaraner Club. The breed needs ample amount of exercise, obedience training to control its "rambunctious nature" and mental stimulation, according to The Arizona Weimaraner Rescue. In "A Celebration of Dogs," author Robert Caras praises the endurance and athleticism of Weimaraners. These dogs thrive on being fearless, making them a perfect match for the obstacles found in agility training.

    Traits

    • Weimaraners are notoriously curious. If your Weimaraner has a desire to always be learning, requires continual stimulation with toys and seems to never be exhausted, agility training may be a perfect match. Weimaraners need the opportunity to be involved in vigorous, ongoing events, according to the The Arizona Weimaraner Rescue. Agility training, obedience classes and competitive sports are a perfect complement to the energetic Weimaraner's lifestyle and instinctual traits.