How to do Agility Dog Training | Dogs

By FranciscoCabrera-Rosello
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As well as for humans, agility dog trainig makes your pet more confident, increases its speed and its physical flexibility while helps excercise its feet. Agility dog training is currently a fast growing sport for dogs. This young dog sport is fun for both the dogs and their owners.

History of Agility Training for Dogs

Agility dog training started at the end of the '70's in England, and its invention was based on horse show jumping. Both agility dog training and horse jumping were found to make a strong foundation between the owner and the animal. This sport is useful also to develop strategy and teamwork. A dog agility event is won if you and your dog complete the course in the fastest time with the fewest number of faults. As you can see, there are tight similarities to horse jumping when the horse knocks down one of the poles of the fence.

Benefits for Dogs

Another benefit related to agility training for dogs is the mental effect it produces on dogs and owners. Maybe this is why they often show an increased confidence in eachother after successfully negotiating an agility obstacle course as a team. Most of dogs have a dramatical physical coordination improvement after completing the basic training exercises that are used to teach jumping and ramp work.

For those hyperactive dogs, agility training provides them with a method of releasing some of that extra energy in a positive manner. The mental workout for the dog is often greater for the dog than the physical one. The teamwork that the sport builds between the owner and the animal builds a level of communication between the two that is very similar to how humans communicate.

A great team in agility training is made when your dog and yourself are in perfect sync, because there is no leash or collar involved when talking about an agility course or contest. To be successful, the dog has to learn a whole new vocabulary, since the order of obstacles vary in each course and the pathway twists and turns.

Puppies

A good advice is to start your puppie training with regular walks through the agility courses as early as four months. As they get older, it is recommended conditioning walks of two miles or longer, so they can get a better physical stimulation. A good idea is that dogs must be trained not to rush the obstacles, because they can hurt themselves by falling from an a-frame or a dog walk. Usually, ramps have cross-laths to help with traction when the dog sprints up the ramp.

For the dog who is afraid of heights, the owner will coax through the uncertainty and by doing so will help his dog and himself.

I wish you the best success in training your dog!

About the Author

Before starting any dog training program, make sure you check Francisco Cabrera's articles regarding Dog training for all dogs breed and find expert dog references and sources of information.

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