Dog Agility Games

Dog agility games remind you of jumping courses you see in horse shows for a reason: The dog courses were inspired by the horses. Training your dog in agility games will keep him mentally stimulated as well as physically fit. It's also an opportunity for the two of you to spend quality time together. Rufus could even be good enough to end up reigning as champion in regional or national dog agility games.

  1. Breeds That Excel in Agility

    • A pooch of any breed might have a propensity for agility. That's why the American Kennel Club offers five different jump heights in its agility competitions. Papillons are a breed frequently seen on the agility field, but hunting and working breeds, such as border collies, retrievers, spaniels and shelties, are among the most popular to compete in dog agility games.

    Physical and mental health

    • Rufus will have a great time participating in agility games with you, but they're useful for more than just a good time. They're also an effective way to exercise your dog physically and mentally. This makes them a positive activity to keep aging dogs flexible, mobile and engaged. In their 2011 book "Living with an Older Dog", David Alderton and Derek Hall advise readers to consult a qualified vet before putting a senior dog through agility exercises to ensure the activity is appropriate for him.

    Agility Skills

    • To become an expert in agility it's vital for your dog to first have the skills to follow your directions; you will be allowed on the agility field but won't be allowed to touch Rufus to guide him during a course run. Before you start teaching agility games to your dog, it's helpful for him to know basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, down and come. Also teach Rufus to go left and right on command. Develop words and cues that will indicate that he should speed up, slow down, move away or closer to you or should move to the other side of you.

    Agility Games

    • A typical dog agility course will have jumps, tunnels and obstacles for Rufus to maneuver over, through and around. Agility games also can include catching a ball "on the fly," as in the aptly named agility game Flyball. Other agility games for the backyard or competition include touching safety zones while ascending and descending an A-frame structure, tunneling through a partially collapsed tunnel, jumping through a hoop or tire and crossing a seesaw by ascending from the side touching the ground, causing it to tip to the other side and descending to the ground on the other side.

    Formal Competition

    • You and Rufus could start out with agility games just for fun, but if he shows a talent and enthusiasm for it you might want to enter him in formal competition. A number of organizations, including the American Kennel Club, Canine Performance Events, the United Kennel Club and the United States Dog Agility Association offer agility competitions. You can find local agility competitions through any of these organizations or by contacting local dog trainers or area kennel clubs. Local Humane Societies and 4-H groups often sponsor events, as well. Most all organizations have classes for mixed breed dogs as well as purebreds, so it doesn't matter what Rufus' lineage is. Competition costs, though, so be prepared to pay an entry fee that can be as low as $13 or as high as $40 or more.