Is Agility Training Right for My Dog?
No matter what time of year it is, you might be looking for activities you can do with your dog. How about agility training? This exhilarating activity might be just what you and your dog need to stay active and bond.
What is Agility Training?
Agility training is a type of dog sport and a popular one too. Dogs are directed through an obstacle course meant to be completed within a certain time limit. Each course usually has 14 to 20 obstacles, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Dogs rely heavily on cues from their handlers throughout the activity. So, this isn’t a dog-only sport. The handler plays an important role as well.
Is Agility Training OK for All Dogs?
Yes! All dogs, even mixed breeds, can do agility sports. Size isn’t an issue, either. Dogs of any size can train in agility.
Benefits of Agility Training
We’re focusing on your dog, but agility training can benefit you and your dog. It gets you on your feet, so you’ll benefit from the physical activity of training your dog. But how does a dog benefit from agility training?
The most obvious benefit is that your dog will get a great workout. If you have a dog with bountiful energy, agility training could be their outlet. It’s a great form of exercise, but it’s also a mental workout. Your dog needs to figure out spatial reasoning and memorization.
Dogs that work on agility training also usually experience:
- Improved communication with their handler
- Better attention span
- More confidence
- More trust
Overall, Agility training can make your dog feel better and act in more predictable ways. Training of any kind improves confidence, but agility training is known to improve problematic behaviors as well.
Is Agility Training Right for My Dog?
Agility training is often said to be the kind of training that can help every dog. That said, there are some things to take into account before you have your dog start jumping through hoops.
Health
First off, what is your dog’s physical condition? Are they young and spry, or are they older and have multiple ailments? Even if they are on the older side, there are Agility activities you can teach them, but you won’t be able to hit the course as hard if your dog is not already in decent shape.
Age
You’ll also want to consider their age. Adult dogs are the ones who can usually be pushed hardest. They are in peak physical condition and they are usually still willing to please. Puppies and senior dogs don’t usually have the same attention span. They’ll be a little harder to train. That doesn’t mean they can’t be trained though.
Dogs of every age and any health condition can benefit from agility training. If your dog has mobility issues or other health problems, you should visit your vet to make sure your dog is ready to begin training. With a clean bill of health, you and your dog can work to your heart’s content.
How to Get Start with Agility Training
Speaking of working hard, you might be wondering about how to get started. How you approach agility training is going to change based on your living circumstances and the kinds of activities your dog seems to do well with. You can also decide to invest some time and money into it, or start small with things you already have around the house.
If you’re looking to dip a toe and see if agility training is right for your dog, find a dog park with a setup. While not all towns have these, you’d be surprised to find some closer than you think. So, perhaps watch a couple YouTube videos, and head over to an agility training course for your dog to try out.
Not interested in going to a dog park? Try creating a small obstacle course in your yard. If your dog is small, you can even create one in your home. Don’t invest too much in obstacles. You can use found objects or kids’ toys to make a course. If your dog takes to it, you can take it to the next level.
The next level would be taking your dog to professional training. Take a class from your local park district or pet shop. That’s a good way of finding out if agility sports are right for your dog.