How to Train a Dog for Agility Runs

Agility dogs exhibit amazing speed and obedience as they dash through the course, following their handler's instructions while leaping over jumps and winding their way through poles. Most often, dogs belonging to the herding breeds or the sporting breeds take part in agility runs, but any agile dog of any breed can be successful with the right training. You can determine whether your dog is suited for agility runs by teaching him some tricks.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog agility equipment
  • Treats

Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that you and your dog are in good physical shape. During agility runs, you must direct your dog over the various obstacles, and some people find this activity very strenuous. Exercise your dog every day before training and feed him a quality dog food that provides all of the nutrients he'll need to succeed. Likewise, keep yourself fit and in shape to run with your dog.

    • 2

      Train your dog to run through the agility tunnel by telling him to sit at one end of the tunnel. Walk to the other end and call your dog through. At first, your dog may be hesitant to enter the tunnel or may think he's supposed to run around the outside. Remedy this by contracting the tunnel to its shortest length and keep it straight, so your dog can see through it easily. Repeat the exercise but bend down and look at your dog through the tunnel when you call him. As he learns to run through it to get to the other side, you can lengthen the tunnel and curve it. Many agility handlers use the command "Shoot" to encourage their dog to run through the tunnel.

    • 3

      Teach the table obstacle by first reinforcing your dog's "down" posture. This means that your dog should drop to a lying position immediately upon your command. During an agility run, your dog must leap up on the table and then must lie down for a few seconds. Ask him to jump on the table and command him to lie down. As he lies there, give him a treat but hold the treat in your fingers, allowing him to only lick it until 5 seconds pass. Then praise him and let him eat the treat.

    • 4

      Encourage your dog to jump through a tire by telling him to sit on one side of the tire and then calling him through from the opposite side. Keep the tire very low to begin with, only a few inches off the ground. As your dog learns that he's supposed to jump through the tire when you issue the command "Tire," raise the level of the tire gradually. Praise and give your dog a treat each time he jumps through the tire.

    • 5

      Instruct your dog in jumping over a bar by starting with a low level and calling him from the other side. As he complies, raise the bar a notch. More advanced agility tricks are taught in the same manner. Only introduce a new trick when your dog masters the current one.

    • 6

      Spend a minimum of 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, when you begin training your dog for agility runs. After he learns an individual trick, put two or more tricks together and call him to the next one as soon as he completes the present one.