How Can I Train My Dog to Do Agility?

Though you may need help from a professional trainer, teaching your dog agility can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you.

An agility course presents an exciting challenge for a dog. Agility trials require dogs to complete an obstacle course with as few mistakes as possible. A-frames, tunnels, chutes, see-saws, weave poles and hurdles are obstacles commonly seen on agility courses. This advanced activity is a good outlet for your dog's energy and gives the two of you time to bond, since it requires dog and handler to work as a team.

Things You'll Need

• Portable agility set

Instructions

1. Practice your dog's basic obedience skills. Before a dog can train in agility, it must know basic commands such as sit, down and stay. You should be able to count on your dog to obey while it is off-leash, and your dog shouldn't be dog aggressive. Reinforce basic training at home with daily training sessions. Don't be afraid to hire a professional trainer to help polish your dog's obedience skills.

2. Search for agility clubs in your area. You can run a search in your web browser or contact professional trainers for recommendations. Call the clubs you find to ask about their requirements for membership. In most cases, your dog should be fully grown and be able to demonstrate basic obedience. You should join a club in order to have access to trainers and equipment, as well as to be eligible for most competitions.

3. Enroll your dog in agility classes at your chosen club. Your club should offer classes at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Start with beginner-level classes. The trainers at the club will help you learn techniques to teach your dog agility, and the club's course gives you access to obstacles for practice. Advanced training such as agility is best done under the watchful eyes of a professional, so that you don't teach your dog incorrect rules or risk injury.

4. Purchase a portable agility set so that you can practice daily at home. Your club may have portable obstacles for sale, or you can find them online. Set the obstacles up in your backyard and practice at least one obstacle with your dog each day. This practice will help your dog perform at each obstacle, and it will also help you perfect your training technique.

5. Condition your dog physically to compete in agility. Agility trials provide exercise for both you and your dog. Remember that your dog will be sprinting at top speed through each course. Go on daily jogs together to build endurance. Feed your dog a balanced diet so that it maintains a healthy weight.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to teach your dog agility before it is fully grown. The physical demands of agility courses can damage undeveloped joints, bones and muscles. Wait to enroll your dog in agility until it is at least a year and a half old to minimize the risk of injury.

References

• Agility Ability: Agility Explanations
• Agility Ability: Agility Begins with Obedience
• Agility Ability: Agility Conditioning