The ABC's of Dog Agility Training
By Kristi Patrice Carter 

Dog agility training is becoming more and more popular as people combine their love of dogs with the thrill of competition. Agility courses can consist of obstacles such as weaving poles, tunnels, tire hoops, seesaws, planks, jumps, hurdles, and the three-meter run.

Dog agility competitions are open to all breeds and sizes, provided the dog does not have a physical disability such as hip problems or being overweight. A check-up at the veterinarian’s office before beginning agility training is a good idea to make sure Fido is up to par. Gentle exercises can begin as early as four months, a time when most puppies see the sessions as just another excuse to romp and play, although dogs of any age may benefit from agility training.

Here are 26 tips to help make training a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your dog.

• Agility training is an excellent way to keep both you and your dog happy, healthy and fit.
• Begin each session by getting and keeping your dog’s complete attention.
• Comfort is key. Loose fitting clothing and running shoes are a necessity since the dog isn’t the only one who’ll be getting exercise.
• Don’t ever raise your voice to reprimand your dog for any reason.
• Encouragement through the use of praise and treats are two necessary components of dog agility training.
• Fetch is a great game to teach your dog some basic commands.
• Give plenty of love and praise after training sessions are complete.
• Help your best friend stay focused by training in a safe environment free from distraction.
• If your dog doesn’t catch on right away, have patience, while not all dogs are agility masters, most any dog can learn the basics.
• Jumping over hurdles should be reserved for dogs, not puppies, whose bones are completely grown and formed.
• Keep your dog focused by using small treats.
• Learn to establish dominance, which is important to keep your dog disciplined both on the course and off.
• Make each training session fun and rewarding, and never stressful or tiring for your dog.
• Never punish your dog in any way if they aren’t able to learn or master a trick.
• Obstacles such as the A-frame, the dog walk plank, and the tunnel are great ways to start training the novice learner.
• Petting your dog should wait until after training. The less distraction the better, learn how to praise your dog with your voice, not your hands.
• Quickly establish a rapport with your dog using voice commands as well as hand signals.
• Rope, nylon, or leather leads that are six feet in length are best for agility training. Chain leads can get caught in the jumps and cause injury to the dog.
• Send away, when the dog is told to go ahead of their trainer, is an important command that should be learned for agility training.
• Teach your dog the ins and outs of control training, which includes learning commands such as stay, down, wait, heel, and sit.
• Understand that not all dogs learn at the same rate.
• Verify that your dog’s collar is the correct size by measuring the neck and adding two inches.
• Webbed buckled or leather collars are best for dog agility training.
• Expect that your dog will lose interest at some point during a training session. The trick is to learn to recognize the signs of boredom, and stop the session before he completely loses interest.
• Your dog should come away from each training session with a little more knowledge than the time before, but never overwhelm him or her by trying to teach too much too soon.
• Zip through the course and reward your dog for a job well done!