| Some may believe that all dogs are naturally agile | | | | are at least 18 months old as younger dogs are |
| and fit. Why would they need agility training? | | | | still growing and developing. Trying to force young |
| After all, they are able to run, jump and chase | | | | dogs to learn different stunts can impede their |
| balls or Frisbees, so what could some dog agility | | | | growth or cause some long-term damage. It's |
| equipment and training do for them? | | | | also important to consider your pet's physical |
| While it's true that most dogs are naturally gifted | | | | characteristics. Smaller dogs with short legs aren't |
| athletes in their own right, agility training means | | | | necessarily the best jumpers and larger dogs may |
| more than training dogs to sit, run or jump. Dogs | | | | have problems crawling through tunnels and other |
| have very muscular bodies in proportion to their | | | | small spaces. A good dog agility school takes all |
| weight. These physical characteristics make them | | | | these things into consideration and can adjust its |
| able to run fast, jump high, and perform many | | | | training to meet the needs of your dog, based on |
| other spectacular stunts. Some of these stunts | | | | his size and breed. Similarly, if you decide to train |
| require agility training in order for the dogs to | | | | your dog by yourself, you should keep these |
| learn how to do certain stunts or perform certain | | | | factors in mind. |
| tasks when their owners say a particular | | | | Some owners assume that agility training should |
| command. | | | | include punishment whenever a dog doesn't |
| Dog agility training can also improve speed and | | | | perform as well as it should. Experts in dog agility |
| overall time for an obstacle course and it can | | | | training know that rewarding dogs is much more |
| teach the dogs how to perform some stunts in a | | | | effective than punishing them it when they don't |
| specific way. This type of training is particularly | | | | perform as expected. Giving treats to your dog, |
| useful for show dogs that need to run, jump or | | | | petting him, playing with him and his favorite toys |
| maintain a certain pace to meet the show's | | | | are all great rewards that can be used to let your |
| requirements. Show dogs and owners must also | | | | dog know how proud you are of his performance. |
| be in step while following a certain obstacle course | | | | Agility training should be fun for the dog and the |
| in a predetermined order. Learning how to do | | | | owner. It should never be a chore or cause |
| these tasks is already difficult to start with, and | | | | trauma to the dog or the owner. |
| dogs must also learn to do these things in a | | | | You should remember that not all dogs will |
| specific way, at a particular speed, following a | | | | respond the same way to dog agility training. |
| particular command or signal, etc. | | | | Some breeds are naturally skittish or hyper and it |
| Agility training makes show dogs fun and | | | | may be difficult to teach these dogs to jump and |
| interesting to watch but before you sign your dog | | | | run on command. Don't let your dreams get the |
| up for some training, you should consider a few | | | | best of you. |
| things. First, most schools only accept dogs that | | | | |