How To Teach Basic Agility Skills
While many dogs learn new skills quickly and they have a high level of enthusiasm for agility obstacles, you as the owner might be concerned about how to get started with training. You can begin by simply planning out on paper what skills you wish to teach first and what commands and signals you will learn for each skill. Keep in mind that while it might seem that there is much to learn, it doesn't all need to be accomplished at once. You can take it obstacle by obstacle and master one piece before adding a new one.
One great way to start is by using a pause table. This is a table where dogs must hop up and sit, stay and lay down for an extended period of time. Not only will you be teaching important obedience skills, your dog also will be learning an important component on the dog agility course. Be sure to always use the same words for each skill and pair it up with a non-verbal signal. For instance, for "sit" use the word sit and then use a specific hand signal for sit. Then create a signal and word for "stay" and "lay down." Don't forget to teach them signals for jumping up on the table and off the table, as well.
Of course, patience is highly important because learning new skills takes some time. Just keep in mind that the pause table skills will be highly important in other situations as well. Once they have mastered your pause table teachings, begin what is known as distance training. On the course, handlers are several feet away from the dogs so they must be able to follow your signals when you are not next to them.
For each new obstacle, there will be new commands and signals, which is why you really should just add one new skill at a time. Just keep reinforcing the skills your pet learned on the last obstacle. For instance, begin with the pause table and then move on to a single jump. Every day, begin by practicing pause table skills and then head over to the jump and teach that skill. Eventually your dog will be able to move from table to jump in order just by hearing or seeing your command. Then you can add a tunnel or perhaps a teeter totter or a dog walk.
When you compete, you are not allowed to use any type of incentive to get a dog to move through the course. This means no toys and no treats; however, we all know that dogs love treats. So what is a handler to do? Begin by using a small treat as an incentive and then as the dog starts to understand, forgo giving treats and reward with praise. Praise is a huge motivator for dogs, and they would rather have you get excited about their progress and show them some love and approval than just about anything else in the whole world.
When searching for agility equipment, check out the offerings from Carlson Agility. They sell all types of agility equipment, both full-size and miniature versions, which are great for smaller dogs, dogs that are new to the sport and your agility puppy. You can purchase a starter kit with just a few basics or just order one piece at a time. They have agility dog walks, agility a-frames, all sorts of jumps, tunnels, chutes, weaves, teeters and many other interesting items.
One great way to start is by using a pause table. This is a table where dogs must hop up and sit, stay and lay down for an extended period of time. Not only will you be teaching important obedience skills, your dog also will be learning an important component on the dog agility course. Be sure to always use the same words for each skill and pair it up with a non-verbal signal. For instance, for "sit" use the word sit and then use a specific hand signal for sit. Then create a signal and word for "stay" and "lay down." Don't forget to teach them signals for jumping up on the table and off the table, as well.
Of course, patience is highly important because learning new skills takes some time. Just keep in mind that the pause table skills will be highly important in other situations as well. Once they have mastered your pause table teachings, begin what is known as distance training. On the course, handlers are several feet away from the dogs so they must be able to follow your signals when you are not next to them.
For each new obstacle, there will be new commands and signals, which is why you really should just add one new skill at a time. Just keep reinforcing the skills your pet learned on the last obstacle. For instance, begin with the pause table and then move on to a single jump. Every day, begin by practicing pause table skills and then head over to the jump and teach that skill. Eventually your dog will be able to move from table to jump in order just by hearing or seeing your command. Then you can add a tunnel or perhaps a teeter totter or a dog walk.
When you compete, you are not allowed to use any type of incentive to get a dog to move through the course. This means no toys and no treats; however, we all know that dogs love treats. So what is a handler to do? Begin by using a small treat as an incentive and then as the dog starts to understand, forgo giving treats and reward with praise. Praise is a huge motivator for dogs, and they would rather have you get excited about their progress and show them some love and approval than just about anything else in the whole world.
When searching for agility equipment, check out the offerings from Carlson Agility. They sell all types of agility equipment, both full-size and miniature versions, which are great for smaller dogs, dogs that are new to the sport and your agility puppy. You can purchase a starter kit with just a few basics or just order one piece at a time. They have agility dog walks, agility a-frames, all sorts of jumps, tunnels, chutes, weaves, teeters and many other interesting items.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To find an agility equipment, or to find useful agility dog training equipment such as dog agility kit, please go to the Carlson-Agility site today.
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New Unique Article!
Title: How To Teach Basic Agility Skills
Author: Cheng Bernhardt
Email: articles@zerocompany.com
Keywords: basic agility commands,basic agility skills,dog agility training,dog agility course,dog agility classes,dog training,agility training,dogs,pets
Word Count: 580
Category: Pets
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