How to Train a Dog in Agility

Video Transcript

"Hi this is Zephyr Clarke-Dalberg with Miami Dog Training in Miami, Florida. With training a dog in agility first of all you really do, there is very few dogs that probably couldn't do agility. Maybe some of your bulldogs, some of your really wide breeds, or some of your slower moving breeds. But with that most dogs can do agility. And one of the things that you want with agility is a dog that is very responsive, and has a great owner or a great handler dog relationship. Because this is a sport that is driven by that bond that is created out there on the agility field. And with agility it really builds confidence in a dog, so they enjoy it, it makes them feel good about themselves, it makes them feel accomplished, it gives them a job. And some of the dogs that are really, really good at it happen to be some of the Australian shepherd breeds, or Australian herding breeds. Now you have different obstacles on a course, typically you will have a tunnel, you will have some jumps. You might have a high jump, and a long jump, but you want to basically start off with giving each piece of equipment a name. And of course, as with all training that is eventually going to be off leash you want to start on leash. So you know you need to get the dog really adept, and run through the course with them. Give each structure or obstacle a name that you are going to be consistent with, and praise them for going over it as you are building their confidence. Now there also is a point where the dog has to come to a little tabletop, and sit for three seconds before it continues on it's course. So those are just some things to think about with agility."