How To Start Training A Dog For Agility
Have you ever thought about how you and your dog could enter into agility competitions? If so, then they are a few different things which you will need to think about if you are seriously considering how to start training a dog for agility. It goes without saying that some dogs are more genetically pre-disposed than others at agility but on the other hand generally most dogs can be trained successfully in the art of agility.
How To Start - Training A Dog For Agility
A lot of dog owners think about at what age do they need to start their dog at. Dogs love to be physically active and therefore the sorts of things that you are going to be training a dog for agility purposes will be very natural to them anyway and therefore they will be more inclined to want to participate. As soon as your newest member of the family is brought home you can start to train him/her on the basics needed for agility training. Even if you never think you will take part in actual competition the fact that you are starting to train your dog at agility will help you bond with it which will be of great benefit down the road.
So - How Do We Actually Begin The Agility Training Regime?
Probably the best way of how to start training a dog for agility is to actually just play with your puppy. All puppies love playing and we all love to play with them. What you want to do when you are playing is to look at ways that you can utilise basic items and incorporate some agility exercises whilst you are playing.
The Use Of Obtacles - A Must For Training A Dog For Agility
Use things which you find around the house such as pieces of cardboard which can be rolled into a tunnel. Another good way of starting to train a dog for agility is to gentle begin using materials for your dog to climb over. Although be careful not to push it to far to soon as you can damage a young dog’s legs and back. Try using bamboo canes stuck in your lawn and practice enticing your dog through them one at a time. Think of as many ways as you can as to how to start training a dog for agility and soon you will be having great fun, excercise will be exciting and your dog will definately be learning the agility basics.
If your dog is hesitant at first, dont push him as you do not want to cause it to be scared as this could lead to phobias further down the road which will then need to be rectified by a quality dog trainer/behaviorist. Use items that are a favourite of your dog or even little treats and use them to entice him between the poles or through the tunnel but let him do it at his own pace. Make sure that you give loads of praise once the required manouvre has been completed as this will help stick in the memory.
These are just a few very basic steps in how to start training a dog for agility. If you want to seriously get into agility training your dog then you will need an obedience dog. There are plenty of places on the internet to find information about dog training and one of the very best is here…Dog Obedience Training