Agility training is focused upon helping your dog develop the necessary skills to compete with other canines on an agility course. The course includes several contact obstacles (we’ll describe them below) over, through, and across which your dog must race. Each pet has an assigned handler – typically the owner – who is tasked with directing his or her teammate through the course.

The sport debuted in England at the Crufts Dog Show in the late 1970s. At the time, the organizers used a course that modeled the one used for horse jumping competitions. The sport has since become popular on an international scale with competitions held in the U.S., Canada, and throughout Europe.

Below, we’ll provide an overview of agility training, beginning with the type of preparation canines should undergo prior to participating. As mentioned above, we’ll also cover, in detail, the course and the contact obstacles your pet will confront.

Training Requirements For Improving Performance

Any canine in good health can compete, though some breeds will likely be better suited to the competition. Dogs are typically grouped by height to make the race fairer. If your pet is normally energetic, and receives plenty of daily exercise, he will likely do well. On the other hand, a canine couch potato may be ill-equipped for the course.

One of the standard requirements for agility training is that dogs must be at least twelve months old in order to compete. A lot of owners begin to lay the groundwork earlier. For example, they’ll enroll their puppies into professional obedience classes while also taking the time to train them at home. As the pups become more accustomed to responding to basic commands, many owners then enroll them into agility classes.

Obedience training is critical since your pet will be racing on the same field as other canines. He must be able to get along with other pets, and focus on completing the course.

Types Of Obstacles To Expect

A typical agility trial will include several contact obstacles, all of which are completely safe. For example, your canine will be expected to walk across a balance beam; he’ll need to manage an A-frame structure that requires him to walk up an incline, and descend the other side; and he’ll need to traverse a series of jumps.

There are many types of jumps on the field, including doubles and triples (two and three bars, respectively), suspended tire jumps, and long jumps. Before you begin training your pet, ask his veterinarian to examine him for joint problems. Assuming the vet gives his approval, start small and gradually make the jumps more difficult.

The trials also include tunnels. Dogs normally find them intuitive; they know what they are supposed to accomplish. During training, start with a short tunnel through which your pet can easily see the other side. Then, lengthen them. He may be hesitant initially, but treats will provide the proper motivation.

There will also be at least one teeter-totter on the course. A long plank measuring up to twelve feet will be balanced by a pivot. Your dog will be required to run across the teeter-totter, completing it as the far side descends.

Weave polls are common, and may include up to twelve poles. Your dog will be expected to weave through them without skipping poles or knocking them down. The polls may be spaced as closely as twenty inches. This, of all contact obstacles, is often the most difficult.

Most agility trials will also involve a pause box. This is a simple, small square marked on the field. Your canine must arrive at the box, and remain within it for a set time before proceeding to the next obstacle.

Agility training can be a fun experience for many dogs and their owners. As mentioned earlier, prior to getting involved, make sure your canine’s veterinarian approves of his participation.

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Most canine behavioral problems are due to a lack of restraint. Dogs never learn to control themselves, and instead sate their curiosities and desires with little regard for etiquette or meeting their owners’ expectations. For example, they’ll jump on guests; they’ll run outside whenever the opportunity presents itself; or they’ll bark incessantly until their owners give them attention.

Professional trainers recommend making your canine work before you allow him to satisfy his curiosities and wants. For example, if he wants your attention, he must remain silent and seated on his haunches for ten seconds. This helps him develop self-restraint. It also makes him a more pleasant companion for you, your family, and your guests.

In this article, we’ll provide a blueprint for teaching your canine discipline and self-control. Consider the following tips an addendum to your pet’s current training program.

First Things First: Laying The Foundation

Most of the effort you’ll invest with this training will be spent motivating your dog to comply with simple commands. If he has not already learned to “sit,” you’ll need to train him to do so before proceeding. You’ll also need to train him to “stay” or “lie down” when you tell him.

These three commands are essential to helping your canine develop self-restraint. Each requires very little time, and can be done with short 5-minute sessions throughout the day. Repetition and treats will prove invaluable.

1 – Make Him Earn Your Attention

Dogs love the attention of their owners. They are willing to set everything aside (with the exception of food) to play, be petted, or simply be next to their owners. The problem is, a lot of pets gradually become more demanding of attention. For example, your canine might walk up to you, and nuzzle your hand with his nose. Or he might bark until you respond to him, even if you do so in anger. From his point of view, any type of attention is better than none.

If your pet does any of these things, make him sit calmly for a few seconds while waiting for your attention. Once you give him the command, ignore him while he waits. If he does so successfully, give him a treat and praise him.

2 – Help Him Maintain Composure Before Meals

Dogs love food. It enthuses them in a way few other stimuli ever will. For this reason, your pet may become overly-excited when you prepare his meals. For example, a lot of canines will jump up and down, or turn in circles while they wait. Some may even begin barking impatiently when their owners dawdle. This is poor behavior that should be curbed.

Command your dog to sit. Make him wait until you have placed his bowl on the ground in front of him. If, due to a lack of self-control, he refuses to sit, remove his bowl and food from sight, and leave the room. Return after a few minutes and try again. He’ll quickly learn to comply.

3 – Make Him Work Before Taking Him For A Walk

Canines love to take walks nearly as much as they love food. Being outdoors gives them a chance to see the neighborhood, smell new scents, and meet other pets and their owners along the way. The slightest hint you’re about to take your dog for a walk may excite him. A lot of canines with very little self-restraint will run to the door, and begin barking in anticipation. Some may even start to scratch the door as they wait for their owners. This behavior can – and should – be discouraged.

As before, command your dog to sit patiently and quietly until you arrive to place his collar and lead. If he fails to comply, put both away and return to your seat. Ignore him while he waits, even if he barks. Then, try again after a few minutes. He’ll learn that he needs to obey your command in order to go outside.

These exercises are simple, but play an important role in helping your dog develop self-restraint. Over time, he’ll learn to wait patiently if he wants to do the things he enjoys.

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Many of the annoying habits canines’ display are due to boredom. Chewing, barking, improper elimination, jumping, and even aggression can be traced to a lack of mental stimulation. This often happens when owners leave their pets home all day by themselves. If dogs have nothing with which to occupy their time, they become bored, and look for alternative ways to entertain themselves. This can lead to a host of behavioral problems.

The key is to prevent your canine from becoming bored in the first place. We’ll offer a few suggestions in this article. The following tips will not only curb your pet’s boredom, but will also make him a more pleasant companion.

Provide Plenty Of Stimulating Toys

Toys give your pet something with which to play while he’s alone. There are many different types, and they serve different purposes. For example, chew toys are designed to withstand vigorous chewing, which canines find stimulating (for a short time, at least). Other toys offer puzzles for dogs to solve, forcing them to use their minds. Still others combine puzzles with treats; if your pet is able to solve the puzzle, the toy will release a small treat as a reward (you pick the treat).

Note that these toys stimulate your canine’s mind. In doing so, they give him something on which to focus his attention, and thus help him stave off boredom.

Teach Him New Commands

When you teach your canine to respond to new commands, you’re engaging his mind. He’s forced to focus and learn something that is new to him. He needs to think ahead to respond quickly and appropriately. Many dogs consider this a welcome challenge, and will strive to respond in the way their owners desire. If you provide your pet’s favorite treats as a reward, he’ll be engaged in multiple ways.

You can also enroll him into professional obedience classes, or specific training courses. Most obedience classes will include activities that work your canine’s body and brain. Training courses can vary from therapy training, agility classes, and Search and Rescue (SAR) classes. These, too, stimulate your dog’s mind as well as his body.

Give Him Exercise

One of the surest ways to bust your pet’s boredom is to provide him an outlet for exercise each day. A daily 20-minute walk is helpful. Two daily walks is better. The benefit of exercise is that it gives your canine an opportunity to expend the energy that builds within him. It also engages his mind since he’ll be able to enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of his neighborhood.

The amount of exercise your dog needs depends largely on his normal activity level. He may be content to sit around the house all day. Or, if he is naturally energetic, he may need more daily activity to keep the boredom away.

Provide Opportunities To Socialize

Owners often forget that dogs enjoy the company of their own kind. Interacting and playing with other canines is both fun and stimulating for them. For this reason, consider meeting other owners to schedule play dates for your respective pets. You can also visit dog parks where your pet can socialize and play with others while you mingle with the other owners.

If you’re away during the day, and unable to provide an outlet for socialization, dog daycare may be a good solution. It works in the same manner as daycare for young kids. You can drop your pooch off on the way to the office, and pick him up on the way home. He’ll have a chance to interact with other canines while you’re at work.

There are plenty of ways you can help your dog keep boredom at bay. The suggestions above will engage his mind, and prevent many of the most common behavioral problems from emerging.

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