Teach Jumps

• 1
  Instead of throwing this stick to fetch, lay it across two bricks or concrete blocks, and teach your dog to jump it.Dog on Beach with Stick image by Jennifer Barnes from Fotolia.com
  
  Ensure that a purchased jump is at its lowest setting. If using a homemade jump such as a stick or wire, lay it flat on the ground first. Acquaint your dog with the obstacle. Keep the dog on the leash and allow him to sniff anything that makes him nervous.
  
  
• 2
  A competition jump.islay agility image by ziggyhendry from Fotolia.com
  
  Use the same command each time you reach the obstacle, such as "Jump" or "Up," while the dog steps over the obstacle. Reward the dog with enthusiastic praise and a small treat. Repeat several times, always rewarding the dog when she jumps without hesitation. If she refuses to jump, simply lead her away and come back and try again.
  
  
• 3
  Raising the barjumping dog image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Raise the obstacle slightly. If it was on the ground before, set it on two bricks, or if it's a purchased jump, raise the crossbar to the next notch. Then repeat Step 2. Gradually raise the jump higher as the dog consistently succeeds.
  
  
• 4
  Competition hoop jumpingdog show image by agno_agnus from Fotolia.com
  
  Remove the leash and repeat the drill once the dog will jump consistently on command. Then repeat the procedure using the tire or hoop, propping it vertically.
  
  

Teach Contacts

• 1
  You can use a marked-off square of ground if you don't have a table or square for the pause box.samoed in the khibiny mountains image by Alexander Maksimov from Fotolia.com
  
  Go to the pause table--the square plywood. The dog will be required to mount and stay until commanded to proceed.
  
  
• 2
  Coming through the tunnel may be scary at first, but once the dog is used to it he'll dive right into it.welpen im tunnel image by Regina Kaute from Fotolia.com
  
  Navigate the tunnel. First, scrunch the ends together so the dog views it as just another hoop. Then stretch the ends out slightly so the dog has to walk or crawl through it. Eventually you should be able to get the dog to go through the tunnel regardless of whether or not he can see the end.
  
  
• 3
  The instability of the teeter may frighten your dog at first.dog image by Vaida from Fotolia.com
  
  Walk the teeter. This is a long plank set on a platform; you can use the bricks for a low platform. The dog climbs, tipping the plank as he crosses the center of balance. Use only a slight incline first, and increase it as the dog becomes more confident. Teach the dog to stop at the center and inch her way until the plank tips forward.
  
  
• 4). Climb the A-frame. This obstacle is essentially two planks bolted together to form the peak of a triangle.
  
  
• 5). Walk the elevated dog walk. This is an upward incline leading to a level plank, followed by a downward incline. It's best to use only a slight incline at first. Once the dog is confident, you can raise the plank and use a steeper incline.
  
  

Teach Weaves

• 1). Set weave (ski) poles 24 inches apart in a straight line.
  
  
• 2). Walk the dog through in a zigzag, using the same command each time.
  
  
• 3). Connect "guide" wires to every other pole at the dog's shoulder height--a wire on the right connecting the odd-numbered poles, and one on the left for the even-numbered poles. Attempt to run the dog through without the leash.
  
  
• 4). Remove the guide wires and gradually move the poles closer together when the dog can navigate the weave by himself.