Papillon Agility Training
Papillons are incredibly high-spirited, energetic dogs, despite their small and dainty appearance. These are dogs that are happiest when on the go. Because of this and their extreme intelligence, papillons make wonderful agility dogs. They are able to quickly learn what is expected of them, and, most important, they love doing it. This also makes them better companion animals overall, because an under-exercised papillon can be high-strung, destructive and annoying.
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Definition
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Dog agility is a competitive sport for dogs. The main focus is running through a course of obstacles in the fastest possible time. Obstacles (usually hurdles) should be cleared completely; points are taken off otherwise. Dogs may also be required to weave through complicated courses. The owner's responsibility is to take the course alongside his papillon, guiding him through the course using only vocal commands.
Qualities
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Papillons are becoming well-known in the dog agility world. This is because of their high energy levels, which many toy breeds do not possess, and their natural grace. Papillons are able to turn quickly, jump well and run at high speeds. Their intelligence also allows them to interpret owner commands quickly, which gives them an edge in competition.
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Conditioning
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Papillons who take part in competitive agility trials naturally have to be in top shape. This takes a lot of work on the owner's part, because even "normal" papillons (ones not trying to get in shape) can easily walk for miles every day. Owners should walk their papillon as far as is comfortable for the dog, increasing the length of walks when the dog gets used to the new level of exercise. Adding in spurts of running will also help your dog on the course. Make sure that you're exercising your dog for the course you wish to run. If your dog will be doing lots of jumping, for example, you should help your dog build those muscles with regular jumping exercise. If your dog will weave a lot, practice quick turns.
Lessons
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A papillon owner may want to take his dog to formal agility training. These classes offer the experience of experts, most of whom have titles to their (or their dogs') names. Classes can be found for a variety of breeds, or for papillons specifically. These classes can go over the basics for those just beginning in the sport, and advance for those with more experience.
Competitions
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Papillon owners can register their dogs for agility trials, where their dogs will compete against others for time and accuracy. These agility trials are held in many cities. You can check with your local agility club or trainers for those in your area. If your dog does well in trials, you can enter him in championships, where he can win more prestigious prizes.
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