Animal Training And Consulting

Dog Agility Competitions

Dogs love challenges, adventure as well as activities that require speed and agility.  Plus the bond it creates between their dog owners as they work out the challenges and master the obstacles. Dog agility competition has gain increasing popularity among dog owners as well as recognition from both the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. Definition, qualifications and the basic training required are the basic information dog owners need to learn and understand if ever they are interested to join dog agility competitions. Moreover, dogs that compete in agility must be under control off leash, hence basic obedience is necessary.

Dog agility is a dog sport in which the trainer directs a dog to go through an obstacle course. Dogs is controlled unleash without food or toys as encouragement. The trainer is not allowed to touch the dog as well as the obstacle and his control over the dog is limited only to voice and body movement. It is a race of time and accuracy. So it is important for trainers to teach their dog basic obedience training and develop their ability to follow instructions.  Although different organizations have different set of rules, the procedures and activities that involve are basically the same.

Any dogs can compete provided that they are in good shape and no physical abnormalities. They must be well behaved and can be unleashed around people and other dogs without causing harm to them. Some organization requires minimum age requirement as well as registration in order for your dog to compete. More or less any breed of dog can do agility and earn titles including mixed breeds as long as it can get through any of the obstacles with speed and accuracy. Usually, medium to large size of dogs are the most popular agility breeds because they are quick on their feet.  

It takes only a small amount of time in teaching a dog the basic execution of most obstacles and simple training techniques. Most dogs can be willingly persuaded to run through a tunnel to follow a toy or to go to their owner and sit beside them. Training techniques vary greatly depending on the trainer and the kind of dog you have. However, competing in agility test with speed and accuracy will require both the dog and trainer's cooperation.  Both must learn different techniques in getting through the obstacle equipments, performing sequences of obstacles, and communicating during the competition proper.

Aside from the bond and friendship agility creates between their owners as they work out the challenges and master each obstacles, it also adds confidence in the dog's abilities as they learn to climb, jump, or crawl through agility obstacles. Agility offers fun as well as pure joy to both dogs and trainers and does not involve any pressures. Dogs enjoy their freedom to show their talents and abilities to get through any obstacle.  Moreover, dog owners or trainers also enjoy the pride and popularity especially when their dogs are able to get agility titles.

Agility competitions are usually hosted by specific local groups and require considerable space. Usually the primary purpose of this agility competition is to promote camaraderie among dog owners as well as promoting the working abilities of their dogs. Training dogs to compete in agility requires small amount of time as long as your dog had taken basic obedience training. It is a dog's nature to enjoy challenges and adventure, so it will be easy to direct your dog to go through any obstacles. However, if your dog is not game to perform the task, then do not force him to do it. There are dogs that do not like to show their talents and your dog might be one of them. Keep in mind that agility is a pure joy competition.