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[A343]Agility Training For Dogs

by Gerry Ronson, Ger

When you are training for agility there are a few tips that will help you and your dog succeed. We all know that some training is required for obedience as well as socialization, but agility is a specialized training that can take you and your dog further. There are some dogs, small and large, that have more ability for agile work or play. When you offer the obstacles, jobs, and other exercise they tend to be happy dogs because they are getting what their intelligence requires. Often agility training is thought to be for dog shows, police dogs, or even for guard dogs, but the truth is it can be for any dog you want to make happy and have fun.

The first tip for agility training is that you should work the dog on both sides of the handler. In other words you are going to make sure the dog watches you from both sides and that in one segment you practice with the dog on your left and then switch this can give them the mental capacity to be able to move with more fluidity. For example when you are working with examples you don't want the dog to understand where the owner is in relation to the obstacle. Instead they need to be shown the owner can be anywhere.

Often times your dog is going to be very excited during training. This can work against you in some cases. You want to make sure they follow your lead and you need to make sure they stay at the same pace. You want to make sure the dog can handle the obstacles and the course, but don't let them push you through the work and don't push them. Some dogs need more time to grasp concepts. Patience will always win out over irritation when you have commands and agility they need to perform and understand.

Motivating your dog is very important as well. Some dogs need more motivation. There are several ways to provide motivation. You can change out the obstacles and the course for a highly intelligent dog that gets bored, you can provide treats for a job well done, or you can offer toys to get them going.

Consistency in agility training is needed. Some dogs lack the confidence to perform, but they tend to do so for their owner. The more work you provide and the more you are affectionate and caring when they complete a task right the more they can feel proud and begin to improve. Dogs can be very sensitive and they pick up on disappointment. Always try to help your dog feel the best.

You also want to watch that you don't over train. Overtraining when a dog experiences issues with an obstacle can make them avoid the course, get discouraged or provide less enthusiasm. It is best to work a course and work on problems at a good pace, but also to realize when the dog needs a break from something they don't get right away.

When you are working with agility training it is important to remember that a dog will only remember the training as long as you continue to work with them. It is not a good idea to provide just one day a week with agility training. You should supply two or three sessions a week that are short. You don't want to over work the dog either. It can be both stressful and become boring.

For agility training you will find that it is not necessary for all dogs or proper care, but for those dogs who love to play, and have jobs agility training can keep them happier and more fit.

There are many reasons why dog owners train their pets. Many dogs are trained for the correction of a behavior problem, while other dogs undergo confrontation training to make them suitable as guard dogs and many participate in agility training because their owners consider them to have a talent in that direction.Some dogs have jobs that require the proper skills and discipline for them to be able to perform their job efficiently. Once you have seen police dogs in action you understand why these dogs are trained for obedience, and confrontation. They are trained to sniff out criminals in the act and they are even relied upon to detect illegal substances that are being transported in and out of the country or over state lines. It is said that dogs are even more reliable than modern equipments, such as x-rays.Then there are also dogs that are trained for competitions designed to display their prowess at agility maneuvers. These dogs are trained to improve their obedience as well as honing their agility skills. Agility training is an all-round training discipline as well as increasing a dog's suitability for competitive sport. Many dog shows sponsor agility events and have often been televised as a main part of the proceedings. Agility is one of the best fun sports for dogs and dog lovers and is often an exciting competition to see. It is certainly a family orientated sport and makes for a pleasurable day out.Dogs that undergo agility training and participate in the competitive side of the sport develop a high degree of self-confidence. They will perform acts of climbing, jumping over obstacles, and crawling under various objects and other activities that are responsible for building that confidence.Many people who are interested in having their dog participate in agility training will usually inquire about the equipments, dog breed, and the cost of training that is needed. They are often surprised to learn that all that is required for agility dog training is dedication. There are no dog breed requirements. All you have do is register your dog in a club and they can be registered for agility.Training your dog for agility is relatively easy, all you need to do is join a local dog training school and train them in basic obedience. Train your dog gently and give him or her plenty of praises until he or she knows what is required for them. You, as the owner, should build up his or her confidence in order for them to perform well in agility.Another important consideration is that you should train them in obedience early in their life. Agility training requires a great deal of patience. And, because your dog's bones need to develop, never make them run obstacle courses until he or she is 12 months old or 18 months old in larger breeds.The best training your dog can have, when he or she is less than 12 months old, is by playing a game of tug-of-war with his or her toy. Doing this will let your dog understand that you are a part of the pleasure in his or her games. This will create a special bonding between you, as the master, and your dog as your companion.The training of jumping over obstacles and catching things should begin at 12 months old. You can buy a hurdle or construct a portable one that you can take in to the park where there will be a lot of space to practice.Always remember that training your dog for agility will require you to invest a lot of time. However, you should also keep in mind that you and your dog should always have fun in the process.

Article Source : Pets On Southwest Flights

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Both Gerry Ronson & Stan Radlow are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Gerry Ronson has sinced written about articles on various topics from German Shepherd Dogs, Hoodia and Programming. Gerry Ronson is a writer for and. Gerry Ronson's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.

Stan Radlow has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, German Shepherd Dogs. Stan Radlow is the Webmaster and publisher of http://www.masteryourdog.com which is an excellent source of articles advising on almost every aspect of dog training and dog care from aggression and biting to pregnancy. .. Stan Radlow's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.