Dog agility training is a separate endeavor from basic dog obedience training, but it is a lot of fun for dog and owner. If you haven't heard of it until now it is more of a sport then anything else. It is becoming more and more popular in the U.S. right now and its origins are in the Britain where it is extremely popular.
A dog agility event consists of a number of different agility courses which your dog must navigate successfully. Each course has a set number of obstacles, normally around 26 per course. There are two criteria that must be accomplished when it comes to placing during a dog agility event. Time and faults. Your dog is timed as he makes his way through the various obstacles. Any faults count against the time taken to complete the course and the dog with the fastest time and fewest faults wins.
While a dog agility competition is a lot of fun training your dog to compete can take some time. There are two different types of obstacles and courses that you dog must be proficient in in order to compete. When doing your dog agility training with your dog you will concentrate on these two types of courses which include jumping courses and agility courses. The jumping courses are pure dog athleticism in action. The competing dogs must jump over obstacles without knocking them down and interspersed between the jumps are the weaves, which are a straight line of poles your dog must weave through, much like a slalom course for skiers. If your dog does not weave through all the poles there will be a fault given. The agility course also consists of obstacles that your dog must negotiate but there are contact points on these obstacles that your dog must recognize and then touch with his paws. Getting to the level of even competing does take time.
To enter an official dog agility competition or show your dog must be registered with either the AKC (American Kennel Club) or if in the U.K. the SKC (Scottish Kennel Club). It also helps to belong to a dog agility club where the members can meet and train their dogs together. The nice thing about a club is that you can get a lot of help with not only running whole courses but also with individual obstacles your dog may have trouble with.
Most dog agility clubs will not allow a dog less than one year of age to participate in their activities. This does not mean you cannot start training a new puppy, but it is best to take it slow and easy while they grow through that first year. You can find plenty of dog agility training equipment at your local pet store or on the internet.
While dog agility training is a rigorous undertaking it is also a lot of fun for both dog and owner. Once your dog gets to the point where he can compete then all the hard work in is well worth the effort.
Dog agility training made its debut in Great Britain in 1977, inspired by the timed cross-country and stadium jumping in equestrian combined training events. The sport consists of an inspiring team of a dog and his handler negotiating a course of obstacles. The trainer gives commands while the dog quickly manipulates his way around jumps, tunnels, dog walks, see-saws, A frames, and weave poles.
Competitions are judged based on time and the dog's ability to clear the obstacles. Although the sport is loved mostly by its competitors it is also a treat for the spectators.
Dog agility training competition is a serious and well organized sport with many guidelines and regulations. The two divisions in the competition are based on the dog's size. A dog between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder is put in the mini division.
Competitors in the 'mini' division are required to complete courses with jump heights being twelve inches, eighteen inches and twenty-four inches. Dogs measuring over twenty-one inches at the shoulders compete in the 'open' division and are required to jump twenty-six, twenty-eight, and thirty inches. Competitors must be measured by an approved dog agility judge prior to the competition.
Before beginning training, the dog's growth plates must have closed in order to prevent injury. Growth plates close around nine months old. At this time the animal can begin dog agility training and will be ready for competition when he is able to clear the jump heights in his division.
How do dogs get started in dog agility training?
The first step in the dog's competitive career is the 'starter' division; this division is reserved for dogs that do not yet hold agility titles. After the dog has one clean round he earns his 'starter' title. With this title the dog is qualified to compete in the advanced level. To earn an 'Advanced Title' the dog must successfully clear three rounds judged by two different judges.
At this time the dog is eligible to compete in the 'masters' classes. In order for the dog to earn a 'Masters' title he must successfully complete a six part qualification process. This process includes versatility classes with three clean rounds by two different judges. The 'masters' title also requires three successfully completed games courses with qualifying scores from two judges.
Not every dog can be a 'Master', but they sure have fun trying. Dog agility training is a fun and challenging sport enjoyed by many people around the country, but none of them are having nearly as much fun as the dogs.
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