Posted on behalf of Maureen Patin a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a friend of LazyPaw who we invited write a “Guest Blog.”
Julaine Hunter, DVM
Is Dog Agility for You?
By Maureen Patin, CPDT
What does it take?
All breeds of dogs can enjoy agility at some level. If there’s any question of your dog’s physical capability to run and jump, you’ll want to check in with your veterinarian. The handler half of the team needs to be physically able to navigate the course, while giving their dog cues for which obstacles to perform.
Most agility classes will require that you and your dog can at least perform the five basic commands of heel, sit, down, stay and come. Your dog must also be safe and sociable around other people and dogs. If either of these areas is an issue, most training centers will offer basic or intermediate obedience classes to help you prepare.
Where do you start?
A qualified instructor will break this rather complex game into easy, attainable training steps for you and your furry partner. Group classes are ideal because you’ll likely learn just as much watching the other teams, as you do on your turns at the equipment. With so many moving parts (all of yours AND your dog’s!), it is helpful to watch each exercise performed multiple times. And, most agility classes seem to build a fun camaraderie where everyone revels in each dog’s successes.
Look for a program that is inviting to the beginner, yet has the capability to take you as far as you’d like in the sport. Most programs will get you and your dog on the equipment pretty quickly. The fun really starts when you begin stringing pieces of equipment into mini-sequences. That’s when most dogs get the idea that this is big fun. Suddenly, the dogs can hardly stand to wait their turn in line to get on the equipment! You’ll find yourself looking forward to “dog class day” all week. So, get out there, find a class and have some fun with your furry friend!
Maureen Patin, CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) is the owner of What a Great Dog! Training Center in Prosper, Texas. Find more information at http://www.whatagreatdog.com or by calling 972-347-3881.
Posted July 12, 2010
| View