In the world of dog agility training, there are a lot of different obstacles that you must train your dogs on. These range from climbing objects to jumps, as well as obedience objects. There are a wide variety of obstacles used in major competitions, and you must familiarize your dog with all of them if you want to win the event. One of the more difficult obstacles for large dogs to train with are the tunnels and chutes.

Some dogs, especially the naturally burrowing breeds like the terrier, are particularly good with these obstacles, but other dogs, particularly large dogs, do not like the enclosed space. Depending on the size of the chute, some dogs may not even be able to stand fully upright in the tube.

In order to get your dog used to the close quarters of this obstacle, many trainers will work first with a familiar object like a blanket. This also mimics the darkness present in longer tunnels. Have your dog stand or lie underneath a table, and drape the blanket over the sides. By repeating the process, they will eventually learn to be more calm when in close quarters, especially when it is dark.

The second thing you must do is to find a way to train your dog to go forward through the tunnel. Some dogs, especially those who have been trained to heel their owners, have difficulty with this change in procedure. By encouraging your dog to enter the chute and stay, then running down to the other end and encouraging them to come, they will eventually learn how to navigate this obstacle successfully without breaking their good habits of trailing their owner.

Another idea to try is to work with distances and viewpoints. One of the reasons that dogs are uncomfortable in the chute is that they cannot see their owner. If you tell your dog to sit and stay, and then move behind a tree or an object in a public park, then their behavior may tell you a lot about why they are unwilling to work on this particular object.

If your dog still shows a preference for going around, rather than through the tunnel, then consider putting a treat in the center of the tunnel to entice them to enter. Food will certainly get their attention! You may also want to work more with the blanket and table trick, and try some variations.

There are also tunnels with collapsed ends, and these are particularly difficult to get fearful dogs involved in. In general, it is best to work with open ended tunnels first to get them used to the idea, and then work with blankets and other short closings.

If they have difficulty with the closed chutes, then look at how they approach them. Train your dog to approach the obstacle with their nose out, and their feet back, as they may be getting caught up because they are stepping on the materials.

Agility competitions are quickly becoming one of the most popular sporting events in the nation. Introduced in America in 1977, these events have grown from a single event at a dog show, to hundreds, and even thousands of events nationwide, held in accordance with other shows, and on their own. Because of the high energy and the athleticism featured by both dog and owner, this sport has become one of the most popular spectator sports in America.

Many owners enjoy the show so much that they find themselves wanting to participate. It is obvious from even a casual glance that the dogs and the owners are having a great deal of fun, and there are almost always great prizes given away for winning the event. However, what makes this event so appealing also makes it very difficult to begin training for.

The problem with getting involved in agility competitions is that the equipment is large and bulky, and can be very expensive. The majority of pet owners have little access to professional equipment, and that often makes them lose hope in their ability to participate. While the high cost and difficulty in storing the equipment is certainly a detriment, there are many options available to the savvy dog owner who wants to begin training their dog.

Fortunately, many pieces of dog agility obstacles are fairly simple to make and train for. Jumps can be constructed out of just about anything, and other obstacles, like see-saws or teeter-totters can be found on local playgrounds. While care must be taken to avoid breaking any laws regarding public property, many dog owners take advantage of their local park as a great place to introduce their dogs to some advanced equipment.

Then there is also the difficulty in knowing how to start training your dog to learn these obstacles. Many dog owners struggle with the basics of teaching their dog how to approach these objects and complete them successfully, as many dogs will seem fearful of the objects to begin with. After all, the rules around the house do not apply in agility training; you want the dog to run and jump in an agility competition, and this drastic change in behavior is difficult for many dogs to adjust to.

To begin with, watch your dog at play, and notice their natural tendencies. Some dogs are natural jumpers, and some are natural burrowers and diggers, while others must be taught to do these things. If you begin training by focusing on the things that your dog seems to be able to do naturally, then they are more likely to succeed, making the whole training process much easier, and more fun, for the both of you. By slowly introducing the dog to new equipment and new skills, there is a much greater chance for success.

As in any sport, safety is paramount in dog agility training. Because these events are very high energy and have some very difficult obstacles, it is necessary that there be a basic safety guide, both for participants and spectators.

Because these events are almost always off-leash events, you need to train your dog to be very well behaved when he or she is given some freedom. Some dogs simply cannot handle themselves, and if this is the case with your dog, you should almost certainly work on this first and foremost before beginning training on obstacles. There are going to be other dogs in the vicinity as well, both among the spectators and with the other competitors in the event. If your dog cannot handle other animals, you should try to expose them to other dogs more often in order to get them used to their presence.

Your dog should be at a point where he or she is able to instantly recognize commands and the sound of your voice. They must know how to stop, stay and sit, at a bare minimum, and it would be preferable if they had learned how to walk at your heels while off-leash. While not only helpful for safety concerns, in general, the more well-behaved they are, the better off they will do in competitions.

Safety must also factor in with the physical and mental maturity of your animal. Younger dogs may lack the coordination necessary to handle certain obstacles like the dog walk, and may lack the understanding necessary to take these obstacles seriously. In addition, some dogs may not have enough weight to manipulate objects like the see-saw. Just like many people, some dogs are afraid of heights, and may balk at the idea of going over obstacles, such as the A frame, which require them to go up higher than normal.

While most of these situations can be handled with good training, it is a bad idea to begin agility training without first knowing what your dog is capable of from a mental standpoint. If they do not like crowds or loud noises, a traditional competition is probably not going to bring out their best, and could leave them in a state of shock. If this is the case with your dog, then it is generally best to only enter smaller, local competitions, where the pressure will not be as intense, and work up to a larger group eventually.

Safety should also be considered for the spectators at these events. Many times, spectator seating is cramped, and many people will bring their dogs into the seating area with them. If you have a large dog that you are bringing, consider leaving him with a trusted friend while you watch the agility competition, or taking a seat towards the back where you are more likely to have some spare leg room. Larger animals tend not to do very well when they lack the room to stretch out, and can cause trouble if they get bored.

Spectators should also remember to keep an eye on their own dogs behavior while watching the competition. One small disturbance caused by your dog could lead to a major outburst from the other dogs in the crowd, which could distract the dogs performing in the event. Not only is this unfair to the dogs running the course, it is also dangerous for them if an outburst occurs on one of the more dangerous obstacles.