Dog Agility Competition

How to Train Your Dog For A Dog Agility Competition

Image via Wikipedia

by Adam Fulford

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.

What is a Dog Agility Competition?

by Adam Fulford

dog agility competitions have become a very popular sport for both adults and children alike. These events, which are usually scheduled in conjunction with a traditional dog show, are much more active, and are comprised of the owners leading their dogs through an obstacle course as quickly as possible. There are over thirty different kinds of obstacles which are commonly used, and the high energy and excitement level of the competitors makes these events a lot of fun to watch.

With dogs having to traverse teeter-totters and weave in between poles, as well as burrowing their way through a cloth chute, the events sometimes mimic playtime more than anything, and almost any child would love to have a playground as advanced as the dogs have. However, these obstacles were chosen by the organizing committees because they are difficult for the dogs to do on their own. These events emphasize great training and a lot of practice by both dog and owner, and you can almost always see this reflected in the final standings.

Some competitions will disallow leashes, and require that the owners use only their voice and a pointing device to control where their dogs move next, while others will make leashes optional. In general, due to the nature of the obstacles, a leash will be very detrimental to your ability to move through the obstacles quickly, and they are rarely used by those entering to win. In order to have the best chances, you need to have impeccable control over your dog.

Because of this, very few dogs will ever reach the championship echelon of agility competitions. Some dogs simply lack the focus and the responsibility to handle their freedom on the course, which to them will often resemble a gigantic playground. Despite this, any dog can enter these agility events, regardless of breed or the amount of training done beforehand. Some events are specifically set up for children to run their dogs through the course, and they allow the child to practice and gain confidence before going into a more serious competition. While it is primarily adults participating in the larger events, children have been known to enter, and some have done quite well with their dogs.

What makes dog agility training so popular is it’s accessibility. Before, dog events were only for the most distinguished pooches, making it a prerequisite that the dog be not only a purebred, but also a beautiful and a confident one. Dog agility competitions have no such requirement, and will typically involve a whole variety of dogs of every breed and combination thereof. That makes this a much more popular event, as nearly anyone from the myriad dog lovers in the crowd could be the potential winner.

Many national organizations are sprouting up for dog agility training events, the most notable of which is the United States Dog Agility Association, or USDAA. While they are attempting to bring some more control to the sport, tougher regulations and new obstacles, they will never truly be able to command such a spectator friendly sport. Dog agility training is more about the fun of the event and the training process rather than the exact rules and the prize structure, and most trainers and owners will agree that this is one of the most exciting sporting events to come around in years.