There’s a good chance that you’ve never heard of dog agility. But if you’ve ever seen dogs jumping over obstacles or running through tunnels, then you know what it’s all about.
Growing from the sport of showjumping, and now recognised at an international level, dog agility has never been more popular.
The huge success of agility is all down to the intelligence and physical capabilities of the dogs that compete. They have to be great athletes, as well as smart, to tackle the difficult obstacle courses involved in competitions.
Well, firstly, dog agility is great fun for you and your dog. It’ll also keep your canine pal physically fit and mentally sharp. To get dog agility right, you need to be a good partnership, so the practice can improve the bond between you and your dog, too.
Dog agility is also a very social activity. By joining your local agility club, you’ll get the chance to meet like-minded owners, and perhaps make some friends for life!
If you join a club, they will usually have equipment on-site that you’ll be able to use. It’s merely a case of turning up, listening to the advice provided, and having a go.
Prefer to practice dog agility at home? You can find suppliers of competition-standard kit or you can kit yourself out with a garden agility set.
Fast, athletic breeds such as collies and kelpies tend to be most popular in competitions. However, at your local club you’ll find dogs of all shapes and sizes taking part.
That said, dogs with hip problems, or other debilitating medical issues, might not be suited to agility. It’s also worth noting that, to enjoy the training fully, you and your pooch should be comfortable with basic commands like sit, stay, and come.
As long as your dog is healthy and they’ve mastered the basic commands, you’re good to go!
To avoid injury, you should wait until your pup is at least 12 months old before starting agility.
Older, physically fit, dogs can start right away. Just get those basic commands sorted and you’ll be on your way to agility success!
If your dog is comfortable with the basic commands, you might want to take things up a notch. This is where trick training comes in. You’ll have hours of fun teaching your pooch how to roll over, play dead, or even tidy up after themselves!
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