Do you want to give your dog something entertaining to do, which also helps them be a better-behaved dog?

Then dog agility is for you!

What is Dog Agility?

It is a sport for dogs to compete in. Handlers lead a dog around an obstacle course. They are judged on speed and accuracy. It is an excellent sport for both the dog and handler/owner, aka you. The handler leads the dog around a set course, using visual and audible instructions. No leading them around on a lead, unfortunately! That's too easy. 

There are official competitions you can enter and clubs you can join. But if that all seems a bit much for you, then there is nothing stopping you from buying your dog agility equipment and setting up your courses in your garden or park.

What breeds as best for Dog Agility Training?

Firstly if you want to get your dog involved in agility training, then go for it. However, if you're going to compete at a high level, some dog breeds are better than others. You need intelligent dogs that are easily trained, focused, not shy or over-excitable, and have a combination of good quickness and agility. 

You are looking at dogs like Collies, Sheppard's, Retrievers, Terriers, and Spaniels. 

Tips and tricks

Agility training is fantastic and great fun. It includes a lot of functional and natural movements. You are not asking the dog to do anything it wouldn't on an excellent play walk. However, you are telling them to do it at specific times and on command. Even though they know how to do everything in the wild, you need to teach them the commands required to see what you want when you want. 

• Weaving Obstacles – you would think that this would be the easiest. However, that's not always the case. They know how too weave through people, trees, and avoid real-life obstacles. But you want them to weave through close poles when you are just walking down the outside. Your dog could rightfully think, well, I'll walk down the outside too. So lots of repetition is needed, and likely lots of treats. It may be best to start them out on a short lead and guide them through. 
• Ramps – or any form of contact obstacle like A-Frames, balance beams, and "teeter-totters" all require similar training and patience. Some dogs are fearless and will jump straight on, some dogs are more cautious, and you may need to place them on the obstacles first to get used to it. Out in the wild, your dog would naturally run across a tree trunk lying over a stream, and it would do it quickly, so it is just about getting the dog comfortable with what you are trying to get them to do. 
• Jumping – the start of small so small they could probably walk over it. You are getting them used you jumping over a horizontal bar and between two vertical poles. So lots of treats and positivity will be needed. 
• Tunnels could be the most challenging obstacles to teach or could be the easiest, as you cannot lead the dog through the tunnel yourself. The dog will have to be comfortable going through it alone, knowing you will be on the other side waiting for it. So again, practice makes perfect.
• Box or Pause tables – possibly the best obstacle to start with if you are training a puppy. You are just teaching them to get onto a new surface and stay there.