Dog agility is one of the fast growing sports today.  Many dogs and theirhandlers or partners (thats you) have tried running the agility course andfound its more than just training and preparation, its fun fun and fun!  Itsamazing how your dog reacts to you, they observe you and test you out.  Ifyou as a handler or trainer show lots of enthusiasim and havea fun attitude with your dog running over, under, and through the agilityequipment, your dog will too. They will never cease to amaze you,their expectations can far exceed your expectation.  Incredible, isn’t it!A simple method of staying in shape is guiding or training your dog throughthe agility equipment, great exercise for your dog, exercise that is verybenefitial for you also.
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Is your dog timid around people or other dogs?  Is your dog sensitive to sounds?  Agility training can provide the environment and structure to build confidence in your dog.  Agility classes are a great place for people to learn about the sport and learn how to train, but the timid dog may take a long time before he is ready to venture from under your chair or off your lap.

A timid or shy dog can only learn inside their comfort zone.  So, training must begin where they feel safe and behaviors must be taught in very small increments. Home will probably be the best place to train and have learning take place for your dog.

So, how do you train at home?  You will need guidelines and equipment. There is a multitude of websites that can give you information on agility training.  There are also books and videos that will give details and visual aids and lesson plans for beginners thru expert levels.

There is a variety of equipment that is useful and helpful to have at home.  Equipment recommendations are based on your available space and location of training.  Do you have a large yard that will hold 10 obstacles? Do you have a small yard where you will need setup equipment and then tear down before you can setup again?  Will you be training in your garage or basement, or as some agility addicts, in your living room.

For the timid dogs make sure your equipment is safe and sturdy.  The pause table is a good place to begin your agility training.   A 12” high pause table, with adjustable legs for later use, is a good starting place for all size dogs. Remember with your shy dog, setup your table in an area that is very familiar to your dog.  If your dog barks at anything new, just leave your pause table in your house or yard for several days, let your dog inspect and smell it on his own or with a little coaxing, but don’t push to fast, remember baby steps with the insecure dog.   With treats in a dish or his favorite toy placed on the table encourage your dog to get up on the table.  This may take more than one lesson, be patient.  If your timid dog looses interest in food or toys when you attempt something new, trying holding him and you sit on the table.  If your dog is too big to hold, have him on leash and you sit on the table.  If he backs away coax him, only treat or reward him when he comes to you, never when he’s pulling back away from you or the table.

Eventually, you want your dog to be able to jump on the table with your cue word, “Table”, “Box”, “Kennel”, whatever word you use, Stay on the table as you back away and then Come when you call. Build your distance slowly so that your dog is not pushed to soon.

From Pause Table to Contact Trainer is a nice transition for shy dog.  A Contact Trainer comes in different designs.  We recommend a 3-Piece Contact Trainer that has one mini A-frame side, a Pause Table, and then a mini Dog-walk side.  Your dog can Sit on the table and then be coaxed down the A-frame side or the Dog-walk side.  Just remember with the shy dog, training is done in increments, slowly and comfortably, with a little push to stretch him, but not enough to overwhelm him to cause a shutdown.

You can follow the above techniques introducing new obstacles as your dog is able to succeed.  As your dog succeeds on each new piece of equipment you will see his confidence grow.
Dog Article courtesy of http://www.carlson-agility.com/

The Tire Jump seems like a relatively easy agility obstacle, at least from a persons perspective, but in the Novice Agility ring you see many dogs that refuse to go through it, many go under it, while others choose to go around it.  How can you prepare your beginning agility for success with the Tire Jump?
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Yes, its cold outside, but don’t stop your dog’s agility training.  Depending on where you live, there might be snow on the ground from November through March, but thats no reason to give up your agility training. Bring your training indoors, right at your own home. Read the rest of this entry »

There are many methods to teach dogs how to weave.  Having attended a variety of agility camps and agility seminars, I’ve seen quite a few of the top handlers present their preferred method of weave training.  Their training techniques vary,but the one thing they do have in common, the end result, their dogs all weave fast and efficiently.
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Weave Poles can be the most challenging obstacle for you to teach and for your dog to learn.  Many agility obstacles resemble natural obstacles that dogs could find out on a hike out in the woods, jumps, frames, and tunnels.  Going over, under, or through things and places are natural for dogs,however, weaving the poles is not.
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Dog agility trials are becoming more and more popular the world over. They began in England, as so many good things, do, but “agility fever” quickly spread all over the globe. Now there are clubs and events everywhere that there are dogs.
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You may be asking, “When can I start agility training with my new puppy?” Puppies are always learning, so every time you are with your pup you can be playing and socializing with agility in mind. Always remember, if you can control your puppies environment, you can teach and train the behaviors you want, left on their own, even in a fenced yard, puppies will learn and develop behaviors that later we may want or need to extinguish.
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We are often asked, “How many jumps should I start with?”  You can never have too many single jumps to practice agility.  A good starting place is four jumps.  This is the absolute minimum number of jumps that we recommend.
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There is such a wide selection of dog agility equipment, where do I begin?  There are several factors to consider when making your agility equipment purchases.  Two major factors are your goals and your dog.
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