Agility is a competitive sport for dogs. It is an obstacle course
made up of jumps, tunnels, and walkways. Dogs and handlers work as
teams, with the handler helping the dog to navigate the obstacles in the
correct order. Some people do agility training just for fun, while
others enjoy competing in agility trials. During the trials, dog and
handler teams compete to see who can complete the obstacle course the
fastest with the fewest mistakes.
Best Dogs for the Job
According to the
United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA), there are over 150 breeds of dogs, including mixed-breed dogs, involved in agility. While some breeds, like the
Australian Shepherd are known for excelling at the sport, you should not let the fact that you have a
Golden Retriever or a
mixed-breed dog stop you from trying it. If your dog is playful and energetic, he will probably enjoy agility.
Dogs usually start competing in agility between the ages of 1 and
2. Puppies and young dogs may injure themselves by jumping hurdles. Talk
to your veterinarian to figure out when your dog will be ready to
attempt the jumps.
Early Training
Even though dogs cannot begin to compete until they are at least a
year old, you can start training them earlier. Begin by working on
basic obedience.
Teach your puppy to sit, down, come, heel, and stay. Your puppy will
also benefit from attending training classes. There he will learn basic
obedience, and get used to working around lots of other dogs and people.
Once your dog is ready to start agility training, your best bet is to find a class or group in your area. The USDAA website has
links
to agility groups in each state, and many dog trainers offer classes,
as well. In the classes, you will be able to introduce your dog to the
obstacles without the expense of buying or building them yourself.
Contact Obstacles
There are several contact obstacles, including the A-frame, the
teeter-totter, and the dog walk. The A-frame is a teepee shaped walkway.
Dogs must be able to walk up the steep incline and back down the other
side. The dog walk works like a balance beam for dogs with ramps on
either end. And the teeter-totter is just like one you would find at the
playground. Your dog must learn to walk across it as it moves under his
weight.
These obstacles are called contact obstacles because there are
specific spots on one or both sides which your dog must touch with at
least one paw. You can teach your dog to make this contact by leaving
treats on the contact zone. Your dog will get the treats only by putting
his paw in the contact zone. Be sure to practice this as you teach each
obstacle.
When you begin, make sure the obstacles are moved to the lowest
position possible. Put your dog on a leash, and give him a command
specific to the obstacle, such as "A-frame." Move quickly as you
approach the obstacle, and lead him over it. You may need to use some
extra special treats the first few times to coax your dog onto these
obstacles.
If your dog absolutely refuses to get on, try training these
obstacles in reverse. Pick up your dog and place him at the end of the
obstacle. Usually, dogs will take the step or two it takes to get off.
Once comfortable with this, you can move your dog a little further up so
he has to take a few more steps to get off. Keep things positive and
upbeat. Once your dog gets the hang of the contact obstacles, he will be
eager to do them again and again.
Jumps
Once your vet says it is okay, you can get started on jumps. Do
not start off too high. For large and medium breed dogs, keep the bar an
inch or two off the ground. For smaller breeds, you can even start with
the bar on the ground.
Teach the jump by keeping your dog on leash so he cannot go around
a hurdle. Give a command specific to each jump, such as "big jump."
Approach the jump briskly, and in most cases, your dog will hop over the
hurdle. Give him lots of treats and praise. As your dog gains
confidence, you can gradually raise the height of the jumps.
If your dog is refusing to go over a hurdle, practice in a narrow
hallway. Set up a small jump, and put your dog on one side with you on
the other. Your dog should have nowhere to go but forward over the jump.
Encourage him with treats and a happy tone of voice. With a little
patience and positive reinforcement, your dog will soon be a confident
jumper.
Tunnels
Tunnels are usually an easy obstacle to teach. Start off with a
short tunnel that allows your dog to see through to the other side. Have
someone at the opposite end ready with some treats or a favorite toy.
Lead your dog to the tunnel, give the command "tunnel," and have your
helper begin calling him and offering treats. If he is hesitant, you can
throw a few treats inside. Most dogs will quickly make their way
through to the other side. As your dog becomes comfortable, you can work
up to longer and curved tunnels.
Weave Poles
Weave poles are a row of poles that your dog must weave in and out
of. This can be a difficult obstacle to teach. Plan on lots of practice
and repetition before your dog masters this skill. To start, stagger
the poles so they are at least shoulder-width apart for your dog. Put
him on leash and lead him through the middle channel between the poles.
After you have done this a number of times, gradually move the poles
closer to the center. This forces your dog to bend his body a bit to
work his way through the middle channel. By the time you have the poles
in the correct position, your dog should have learned the bending
movement needed to weave around the poles. The weave poles can take
several weeks to months for your dog to learn.
The Pause Table
The pause table is a table that your dog must jump up on to
perform either a "sit-stay" or a "down-stay" The table is usually no
higher than your couch, so it is not hard to encourage your dog to jump
up on it. Patting the surface and using some treats to lure your dog is
usually all that is needed. The tough part is to keep your dog in a
stay. Most dogs are anxious to move on to another obstacle. This is
where your early training comes in. If you have practiced
basic commands
before you begin agility training, your dog will be ahead of the game.
If your dog is having trouble, start small. Have him stay for a count of
one, and then offer a treat. Gradually increase the amount of time you
have him stay. Once he is able to stay for 5 seconds or more, practice
with lots of distractions, just as he will experience at an agility
trial.
Putting It Together
Once your dog has mastered all the obstacles, it is time to put it
all together. This is called sequencing. It is your job to let your dog
know the order in which he should approach obstacles. Start by linking
two obstacles, such as a jump and the tunnel. First, give your dog the
command "big jump." Then, before he hits the ground on the other side,
tell him "tunnel" as you move towards the tunnel. Timing is important
with sequencing. If you wait too long to give the command for the next
obstacle, your dog may make the choice for himself, and it may not be
the right one. Once your dog has gotten the hang of doing two obstacles
in a row, you can add another, and so on, until he is able to complete
an entire course. Once he is able to do this successfully, you are ready
to compete!