Proper Dog Agility Training and Getting Started
Start Right With Good Dog Obedience and Basic Dog Training
Doing proper dog agility training with your dog is extremely important. You should start once the dog is around a year old. You really don’t want to begin any earlier than this because they will still just be a puppy and should only be really concerned with potty training.
Other than that, you are going to want to wait and hold the dog agility training off until they are a bit older than that. Before you can get started they must already have good dog obedience and basic dog training skills.
Dog Training Equipment
Of course the first thing that you are going to need to do is get the proper dog agility training equipment. There is lots of it out there to choose from, and so you are definitely not going to have a hard time finding it.
Dog Agility Ring
One of the most important pieces of equipment that you are going to want to have included is a jump ring. This is what is going to allow the dog to build strength and gain their balance and start to get more confidence.
Tips for Dog Agility Training
There are some great tips that are going to help you as a dog owner when you want to work on agility dog training. Even if you are not planning to enter him into any competitions, this is something that you are going to want to work on and which is really going to help your dog to grow into a faithful and properly behaved pet.
For dog agility training, one of the most important tips or rules to remember is to never let your dog get away with being bad. Now you don’t want to yell at them, but basically like a child, if you just let them get away with everything and act like it is okay just because they are so cute, you are going to have dog behavior problems.
While of course you can always love your dog and show them this, at the same time you need to have them remember that you are the owner and that it is you who is in charge. They will remember this and they will know that they have to obey you.
Particularly if you are planning on entering them into competitions you are going to need proper dog agility training and have them totally obey you.
How Do You Start Agility Training for Your Dog?
The Basics To Dog Agility Training and When To Start
The general rule is dogs should start their agility training as puppies. Not only do pups have more energy, they are more eager to learn and haven’t settled into their behavioral habits like an older dog. Though, contrary to popular belief, an old dog can learn new tricks!
Being old in a dogs’ life is subjective. There is no clear cut, defined age when it’s too late for dog agility training. This greatly varies from dog to dog. You’ll need to consider the canine’s past experience and their natural tendencies.
If your older dog is not receptive to new things, doesn’t play well with others and has a spoiled personality, agility training may not be the best idea. However, older four-legged friends with a happy disposition and a willingness to try new things are a better fit for agility training. The trainer must be dedicated and exercise great patience when dealing with an older dog.
Basic Dog Agility Training Tips
Dog Agility Training Tunnel
Physical Exercise: During the introduction phase of agility training, the trainer should incorporate physical exercise. Jumping and hopping are simple exercises that might get the older dog interested. Likewise, puppies are filled with energy and readily take on a fun challenge.
Playing Around: This next phase is progressive and dependent on the first. Children learn best when their interest is captured. How better to capture their interest than offering a fun, creative outlet.
Puppies are no different. Building off their previously learned physical exercises, it’s time to make them into exciting games. The pup may not get it right off the bat, but don’t keep the agility training session going for long periods of time.
Their attention spans are short, so base your lessons on cooperation and progress. Praise and promote your pups successes! Even if you don’t have a dedicated area for obstacle courses, you can still use other games that promote agility. Get creative and design a homemade tunnel or wall to help in training.
Keep It Short: Canines aren’t equipped the ability to give a passionate showing for learning, but they do have a strong desire to please their owners. Rewards and positive reinforcement will show your pup that he/she has done something pleasing to you and their desire to repeat that activity will increase.
As stated above, the attention span of a dog isn’t long, so don’t get frustrated if your dog loses interest in the agility training session. You’re dog will notice the difference in your tone and think his positive behavior that was just rewarded is no longer a good deed, but instead it makes you angry. Always end your sessions on a positive note. This will encourage the dog to cooperate for the next lesson.
Agility training for dogs does not depend solely upon the age of the dog, but also on the dogs ability and willingness to embrace a new activity. Your patience and dedication coincides with his/her responsiveness and ability to follow commands. Patience is essential, right along with a reward system, for any age dog to be receptive to learning new things with your dog agility training.
