How to Teach Dog Agility Training

If you've proven your dog training skills by teaching Rover the basics of agility training, you may decide to go professional and teach classes in the community. Teaching dog agility training classes build on the skills you already know and takes them into a group setting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find agility training clubs that are located near you. They may offer classes in agility training, which you can attend before offering to teach your own classes.

2. Tell participants that their dogs should also already posses the basic command training such as "sit," should be housebroken and should not be aggressive with other dogs. Begin by teaching the class how to get their dog to always come when they call.

3. Help them to train their dog only to bark on command. A noisy dog at competition can be an irritant to all.

4. Teach the dogs to jump low obstacles and continue to increase the height. Jumping is one of the parts of agility competition. Use treats at the other side to encourage the leap.

5. Introduce climbing into the dogs' knowledge bank. Explain that the dog will need to know how to maneuver an A-frame, see-saw, and ladder.

6. Show your class how to teach their dog to crawl. Going through a collapse tunnel and a pipe tunnel are important steps. Using a tunnel as the only exit from a cage will aid in this endeavor.

7. Instruct the class to train their dog to jump through a hoop. There are various types to contend with, from old tires to smaller hoops. Start with a hula hoop.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use positive reinforcement when training dogs. Praise and a kibble work wonders, in every type of training.

[etcheverry]

on 2/21/2009 Not sure I'd agree with all of this advice.