By GetDogCare.

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 Dog Agility Training
Agility is indeed a dog skill competition. It's a series of
jumps, tunnels, and walkways that make up an obstacle
course. Dogs and trainers work together as a team, with
the trainer assisting the dog in correctly navigating the
obstacles.
Few people engage in agility training just for the sake of
it, while others love engaging in agility competitions.
During the competitions, dog and handler teams race to
see who can finish the obstacle course in the shortest
amount of time with the fewest errors.

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When to start?
Agility training may begin at any age, but dogs under the
age of a year must be carefully monitored to avoid
harming their developing joints. Dogs often begin
training on simpler, smaller, or lower-in-height agility
equipment and teaching aids (such as ladders and
wobbling boards to teach careful footing), but puppies
who learn fast must finish developing before training on
standard-height equipment to avoid injury.
Around the ages of 1 and 2, dogs begin competing in
agility. You can discuss with your veterinarian about your
dog when to start the training or if he/she is ready to
attempt jumps.
You should begin teaching your dog when he or she
reaches the age of competition. Start with simple
obedience training, such as teaching your dog to sit, lie
down, come, heel, and stay. Attending training sessions
will also help your puppy, as they will practice
fundamental discipline and become accustomed to living
with a variety of other pets and people. It's a good idea
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to see your pet take and pass the AKC Good Citizen
Test.
Your best choice is to join a class or party in your area
until your dog is able to begin agility training. Many dog
trainers teach courses, and the United States Dog Agility
Association (USDAA) has a list of agility clubs in each
state. You would be able to expose your dog to the
challenges in the courses without having to purchase or
install them yourself.

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Introduce them to obstacles
The reaction of a new dog when introduced to agility
obstacles varies. Each dog develops at his or her own
pace; enthusiastic dogs can sprint over appliances with
little encouragement, while more careful dogs can take
weeks to overcome their hesitations with lots of
encouragement. Both situations raise difficulties, as
dogs can become overconfident and sloppy to the point
of causing a major injury, and the trainer's aim becomes
to teach the dog self-control. To gain trust, timid dogs
need additional assistance. A shy dog can gain interest
by practicing the sport if given the right motivation.

The A-frame, the teeter-totter, and the dog walk are just
a few of the touch barriers.
● The A-frame is a walkway that is built like a cone.
Dogs must be able to go up and down the steep
incline.
● With stairs on both ends, the dog walk functions as
a balance beam for dogs.

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 ● The teeter-totter looks much like something you'd
see at a playground. If the board moves under the
dog's weight, he or she must learn to walk over it.
Since there are clear spots on one or both sides that
your dog must hit with at least one hand, these barriers
are considered contact obstacles. Leave treats in the
touch zone to teach your dog to make this contact; your
dog can only get the treats if it places its paw there.
When you teach each obstacle, make sure to practice
this.
Make sure the obstacles are in the lowest possible
position before you start. Put your dog on a leash and
give him an obstacle-specific order, such as "A-frame."
When you pass the hurdle, move fast and lead the dog
through it. To coax your dog onto these hurdles, you
may need to use those extra sweet rewards the first few
times.

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Jumps Training:
Keep the bar 1 to 2 inches above the ground for big to
medium size dogs. Start with the bar on the ground for
smaller breeds.
Teach the dog to leap by holding him on a leash and
preventing him from going over an obstacle. Give each
hop its own order, such as "big jump." Approach the
jump quickly, and your dog should be able to leap over it
in most situations. Treats and praise should be
abundant. You will steadily increase the height of the
jumps as your dog gains interest.
If your dog is having trouble getting over a stumbling
block, try practicing in a short corridor. Make a short hop
with your dog on one foot and yourself on the other.
There should be nowhere for your dog to go except
forward over the hop. Treats and a cheerful tone of
voice will help the dog succeed. Your dog would become
a happy jumper with a little patience and good
encouragement.

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Weave Poles Training:
Your dog would weave in and out of a series of poles
known as weave poles. This can be a challenging
challenge to overcome. Before your dog learns this
talent, expect a lot of practice and repetition.
Begin by spacing the poles at least shoulder-width apart
for your puppy. Put a leash on the dog and walk it
across the middle channel between the poles. Gradually
shift the poles closer to the middle after you've tried so a
few times. To get into the middle channel, the dog will
have to bend its body slightly.
Your dog should have mastered the bending action used
to weave around the poles by the time you have the
poles in the proper place. A dog's ability to weave poles
can take weeks or months to master.

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The Pause Table:
The pause table is a table on which your dog must hop
to do a "sit-stay" or "down-stay." Since the table is
normally no higher than your sofa, encouraging your
dog to hop up on it is easy. Patting the surface and
luring your dog with treats is normally all that is needed.
The most difficult aspect of this challenge is holding your
dog in a stay position. The majority of dogs are eager to
go on to the next challenge. This is where your early
education will help you. Your dog would be ahead of the
curve if you have mastered simple commands since
beginning agility training.
Start tiny if your dog is having trouble. Allow it to last for
a count of one before rewarding it with a treat. Gradually
extend the time the dog is allowed to stay. Train with
plenty of distractions to imitate the atmosphere at an
agility competition until it can stay for 5 seconds or
more.

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Agility Classes:
Agility may be learned on one's own (for example, at
home) or with the help of a teacher or a club that
provides lessons. Since formal classes are typically
oriented toward novices, experienced handlers and
competitors may opt to practice individually. Instead,
seasoned handlers attend courses and classes that
teach specialized handling methods, which they then
learn on their own. The below are some of the most
common reasons for enrolling in an agility class:
1. Access to agility devices, especially larger touch
obstacles, which can be costly, difficult to construct,
and take up a lot of room to use.
2. More seasoned handlers' advice and skills was

sought.
3. Taking advantage of the networking opportunities
that many classes have.
4. Training in a more distracting setting is beneficial in

competition planning.

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Physical fitness is required in addition to academic and
instructional training. The dog must be physically well
enough to sprint and hop without stressing or injuring
itself. Physical fitness can help the trainer but keeping
up with the dog isn't always important with certain
handling types (nor is it possible with very fast dogs).
The ability to control a dog from a distance enables
mobility-impaired handlers to compete on an equal
footing with mobile handlers in the sport. Dog agility
handlers have also been shown to have fitness
advantages in studies.

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Training in Sequence:
It's time to bring everything together after the dog has
mastered all of the hurdles. This is referred to as
sequencing. It's your responsibility to instruct your dog
on how to tackle challenges in the proper order.
Begin by tying two barriers together, such as a hop and
a tunnel. Offer the dog the order "big hop" first. And,
when you step toward the tube, say "tunnel" before it
touches the ground on the other side.
When it comes to sequencing, timing is crucial. If you
take too long to issue the order for the next challenge,
your dog will make a decision of its own, which may or
may not be the best option.
You can add another challenge after your dog has
mastered two in a row, and so forth, before it is able to
complete an entire course. You're eager to compete
once it's able to do so effectively.

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Injuries:
According to trainer surveys, one out of every three
dogs were injured when participating in agility events.
Strains, sprains, and contusions were the most frequent
forms of accidents, in that order. Shoulders, backs,
phalanges (forelimb/hindlimb) and neck were the most
often wounded areas. Interactions with bar jumps
(contact), A-frames, and dog walk obstacles (contact
and/or fall) were most often blamed for injuries. There
was no connection between the use of warm-up and
cool-down exercises and the occurrence of injuries.

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Which Breed is the Best for Agility
Training?
Agility involves over 150 breeds of dogs, including
mixed-breed dogs, according to the USDAA. Some
breeds, such as the Australian Shepherd and the Dutch
Shepherd, are well-known for their athletic abilities.
However, just because you have a Golden Retriever, or
a mixed-breed dog doesn't mean you can't try it. Agility
training is likely to be enjoyable for your dog if it is
playful and lively.
If you practice agility at home, your backyard is likely to
be a quiet, distraction-free area. Going to a competition
can be daunting when the dog isn't used to being in
such a fancy setting.

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Proof the dog's preparation in diverse places to familiar
it for distractions is a smart idea. Invite a few friends
over to cheer on the dog so that it becomes used to
being with people.
You may also visit a fitness facility or look for nearby
coaches who have the challenges set up in their own
backyard. You might also carry your hurdles to a park if
they're compact.
It's important to remember that your dog will not like
winning. And if your heart is fixed on finding a winning
puppy, running the obstacles at home may be enough. If
you're not the one to perform on a large stage, enjoy the
bonding opportunity that agility training provides you and
your dog. Have a good time doing it, and the dog would
as well.

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