Agility training for dogs is beneficial in a number of ways.
For one, it offers a great bonding experience for both the dog and the handler.
Aside from that, dogs learn how to follow commands more effectively, not to mention the fact that they also become more energetic and physically fit.
In general, agility training is the perfect opportunity for handlers to spend quality time with their dogs while at the same time they develop the necessary skills to be top agility competitors.
What You Should Consider Before commencing with any kinds of agility regimen, it is of the essence that you take some important things in mind.
There are a number of factors that must be carefully evaluated to ascertain that the training will be done properly.
First and foremost, the dog's age will absolutely be a major concern.
The type of training that should be given to dogs will greatly depend on their age.
For instance, if you are training puppies, it is best to start with basic commands and easy obstacles, but the exercises must exclude strenuous jumps and turns.
Complex jumps and turns are best taught to more matured dogs since they are strong enough to handle such difficult stunts.
Older dogs, on the other hand, must also be assessed physically before beginning the training.
It is important that you look for signs of arthritis or other concerns that might jeopardize their overall health.
Apart from the age, it is also vital to take note of the dog's personality.
Like human beings, dogs have different personalities.
Some dogs are fearless and can take on narrow and complex obstacles without any signs of hesitations, while others easily waver and may have difficulty catching up.
That being said, it is necessary that you determine whether your dog has a passive or active personality.
This is necessary so you can adjust your training techniques accordingly.
Confident and valiant dogs are always up for the challenge as compared to submissive dogs.
Remember that time is essential in agility training.
It may take a while before dogs can fully master a particular course, hence, lots of patience and continuous perseverance is greatly needed on the part of the handler.
That being said, it is best to slowly introduce new obstacles and increase the frequency of the training to help the dogs feel more at ease.
What to Avoid Safety should always be your first priority during agility training.
Make sure that the dog is in optimum condition before performing any kinds of stunts.
Going through narrow obstacles and moving in quicker speeds can be very dangerous if the dog is not properly trained.
In that regard, it is vital that the dogs develop precision and accuracy before encouraging them to run in full speeds.
In addition to that, timid dogs must never be forced to do high jumps and difficult runs, not until they gain the needed confidence to execute the stunts perfectly.
Pushing the dog too hard is also not advisable as this might compromise their performance and lose trust with their handler.
Make sure to take note of the preceding information about agility training for dogs so you'd know what to do and not to do.