Dog Agility Trainers: Should You Get One?

So you’ve decided that your favorite canine has the skills to learn dog agility or compete in shows. Now comes the tricky part – even though your dog is talented and smart, he’ll need to be trained before he can compete. You have to ask yourself whether you would benefit from hiring dog agility trainers or if you’d be able to teach him all the tricks by yourself. Below are a few points you should consider.

Time - It takes a lot of time to train a dog in the different obstacles and maneuvers he’ll have to do to achieve success. If you plan on teaching him yourself, you’ll need to ensure that you have that time to devote to him in order to reach your goals. If you don’t have that much time to spend with your dog, you might consider hiring a dog agility trainer. It will still require you to work with your dog sometimes, especially if you’ll be the one guiding him through the obstacles in a show.

Money – Dog agility trainers cost money, and depending upon what kind of trainer you hire and what kind of things you want your dog to learn, the bill could be very costly. It’s important to take a look at the costs you’re facing before deciding whether you need to hire someone or not. You need to make sure that you have the means to afford a dog agility trainer and that you’re not jeopardizing your finances.

Dog Agility Training Tips

If you plan on hiring a trainer, take a long look at their experience. You’ll also want to check references to determine the success of past clients. It’s not necessarily important that the trainer’s past dogs are champions, but how the dog was treated in the trainer’s care, and what they learned. These tips can help you decide whether to hire dog agility trainers, and what to look for when you are hiring them.

How to Choose a Dog Training Center

Once you’ve decided to begin classes with your dog, whether obedience or agility training, you’ll need to find a center that meets your needs and helps you to achieve your goals.  Not all centers have the same philosophy when it comes to handling animals, and not all centers will have the same degree of respect for your reasons for training.

The most important piece of advice is to trust your instincts.  Before you sign up for the first class, visit the center while classes are in session.  Do all dogs and their owners seem happy and relaxed?   You will probably have an instant first impression.  This will be a good guide for you to decide if the center is a fit for you and your dog.

Ask if you can have a trial session before you commit to a financial arrangement.  Bring your dog and find out if the dog will be able to focus with other animals around.  If not, do the trainers have tricks and suggestions to help your dog?  If the trainers shrug and act as if they can’t help you, look elsewhere.

Do the goals of the center match the goals that you have set for yourself and your dog?  It’s fine, for instance, to seek a center that will focus on competition preparation, if that’s what is important to you.  But if you’re mainly interested in fun and exercise, and the other participants and the trainers are cut-throat competitors, you’ll be better off finding a center with a more laid back perspective.

Snoop around a little.  Is the physical facility clean?  Are there plenty of staff people for the number of clients and dogs?  Are there diplomas and certificates displayed showing that the center is up-to-date and someone will be able to respond if your dog is hurt?  Just like searching for a day care center for your child, you’ll want to be sure that safety is a prime concern for the training center.

What about equipment?  Does it seem to be well-maintained and safe?  Observe other clients working their dogs and notice if the training course is secure and monitored.

Find out the methods the staff uses to train and teach dogs.  Some centers may use more punitive approaches in training.  Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement.  If the methods seem too harsh, visit another center.

Visit with other clients, and ask if there is a list of alumni you could contact.  Often, word of mouth is the most reliable way to find out how good and effective a center truly is.

Potential Puppy Assessment for Dog Agility Training

As you might guess, not all breeds of dogs are suitable for training in dog agility. In fact, many owners have had high hopes and dreams of their dog performing heroic jumps and maneuvering through complicated puzzles only to find that their beloved dog is simply not interested. Therefore, it is paramount that owners properly assess their dogs for dog agility training while they’re still young. This will prevent them from becoming disappointed and frustrated. In this article, we will teach you the importance of assessing your puppy for dog agility training and how to go about it.

Just like people, all dogs are different and there are different temperaments within each and every litter. Some puppies are playful and rambunctious, whereas others are quiet and enjoy solitude. Therefore, when you’re choosing a puppy and want to train him, you should keep this in mind. Most successful trainers perform a multitude of tests to decide if their puppy may be able to succeed with agility training. Just remember to give each puppy a round of tests to evaluate them on a broad range of characteristics. This is because one may test favorably on one test and quite badly on three more, whereas another puppy may perform badly on one test but great on the other three. Therefore, you shouldn’t make assumptions based on one test only.

Next, you should hire a trained professional in the field of dog agility to test your puppy to see if he might benefit from puppy agility training. A neutral profession will be able to evaluate the entire litter of puppies equally. If you decide to test them yourself, you should give each puppy the same opportunity to perform. Make special notice of their exact testing readiness, alertness, and willingness to participate. Also, take into account whether they’re hungry or tired. A puppy that has just woken up from a nap or recently fed will test differently than one that is a hungry and sleepy puppy.

Then, you should evaluate your opinions and formulate a preliminary finding. Once you’ve done this, you should ask the breeder or person who has raised the puppies to provide their perception of which puppy would make a good candidate. After all, they know the puppy best and can provide valuable insight into their personality and suitability for dog agility training. In addition, evaluate the puppy’s lineage to determine if their parents or relatives successfully performed in any dog agility training competitions. In addition, you could evaluate the puppy’s parents and their ability to jump to help you determine if your puppy will be able to easily handle jumping when they’re older.

In conclusion, if you’re serious about dog agility training and are purchasing a puppy, you should evaluate them carefully before making a decision. Although taking along a personal agility trainer to assist you is the best option, by evaluating each puppy and comparing your findings with those of the breeder, you should be able to make a great choice.

What You Should Know About Dog Agility Competition

If you’re considering training your dog for a dog agility competition, then good for you! Dog agility training is not only a great way to bond with your dog, but also a wonderful opportunity for your dog to become more physically fit, harness pent-up energy, strut his dog agility expertise and boost his confidence (not to mention get some well deserved praise and recognition). Sound interesting? You bet. In this brief article, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of dog agility competitions and what you need to know to help your dog excel.

When you first begin, you will most likely start by attending local events to learn the ropes. This will not only enable you to scope out the competition, but will allow you to meet other people who are interested in dog agility competitions, as well. Here are some fundamentals that you’ll likely pick up while attending local events:

Professional dog agility competition scoring is comprised of three basic traditions of the dog’s performance. This includes standard scoring, time plus faults scoring, and points-based scoring. By means of the method of standard scoring, the handler and the dog are judged and determined by the supervision of the judge of the dog agility competition, by comparison of the Standard Course Time also known as STC. Depending upon whether the agility competition is a starter, advanced or masters’ trials, the exact time will be set accordingly.

When based on the standard scoring of dog agility competition, any blemishes are determined a penalty. The winner is determined by the shortest time with the least number of penalties. If a tie has been determined, the competitor with the fastest time is the winner.

Speed comes into play while determining the scoring of time plus faults. The dog and its handler in the agility competition that is calculated by the actual time on the agility course plus any penalties will determine time plus faults scoring. Therefore, if the time score was 38.27 seconds on the course, although the dog came across nine penalties, it follows that the score would be 47.27 seconds. In cases such as these, the dog with the lowest total score determines the dog agility competition. A jump off is used determine the winner if there is a tie of score for any of the dogs. Points based scoring is of course the last scoring choice.

The points based scoring in dog agility competitions determines the winner according to other classes such as snooker and gamblers. Certain obstacles are assigned values by the judges with each performance having a time requirement.

Throughout the obstacle course, the competitor’s points are accumulative. When the dog completes something, for instance, no faults for performance, such as no faults, the dog is given extra performance points in the dog agility competition.

The team of dog and its owner with the highest points earned is the winner of a points based score. The dog with the fastest time when there are ties clarifies winning the competition. You will be able to become familiar with the rules of each organization as you partake in competitions from the starter status or beginner’s position on up to the master level champions. All in all, you and your dog trained in agility are sure to have an enjoyable time at dog agility competitions.

Now that you’re comfortable with the fundamentals, you can train your dog on your local group’s course or you may be able to enter your dog in the United States Dog Agility Association’s master tournaments. Either way, you and your dog will have a blast preparing for and winning dog agility training competitions.

How to Get Prepared for Dog Agility Competitions

You’ve been teaching your dog tricks for months and he’s a star at running through tunnels, jumping through hoops, and listening to commands. However, he might not be quite as prepared as you think he is. Before participating in dog agility competitions, it’s important to make sure your dog is prepared and ready to be successful. Below are a few preparation tricks.

- Practice in Different Settings. One of the most important things you can do for your dog is let him practice in different settings and around plenty of people. When it comes down to the actual show, there are going to be a lot of people watching. There will be noise, and it will be held in an area your dog is not familiar with. For these reasons, it’s important to get the dog accustomed to working in different environments and with a crowd.

- Choose Comfortable Obstacles. Choose obstacles your dog is comfortable with and then have him practice those first. This will give him confidence and training before you get down to the more difficult obstacles. For instance, running through a tunnel is relatively easy but making your way through a maze might be more difficult. Praise him often as he learns his new skills and he will try harder!

- Learn All the Rules. Before entering your dog in any competition, learn all the rules first. This will ensure that your dog doesn’t get disqualified because you weren’t aware of a particular rule – and after all his hard work! Many clubs and shows have manuals or websites that list rules that you can go over before the day of the event.

By taking the time to go over these preparations, you can ensure that the big day will go off without a hitch and that your pooch will get recognition for all of his hard work.

Benefits of Dog Agility Courses

Dog agility courses are a great way to train your dog to do many different tricks. Some owners enjoy these courses for the benefits and exercise the dog can receive while others want to have their dogs participate in shows. There are numerous benefits to this kind of training. It’s important for owners to take a good look at the benefits of dog agility training before deciding whether it’s right for their furry friends or not.

Exercise - One of the best benefits of dog agility courses is exerise for your dog. Dogs who don’t get enough exercise can experience weight problems and hyperactivity that can cause a whole range of issues. By allowing the dog to expend his or her energy in dog agility training, you’ll have a satisfied dog that is in better shape, and doesn’t get into quite as much trouble.

Fun – Dog agility training can be fun for the humans as well as the dogs! You can have a unique opportunity to meet other dog-lovers and make new friends. Many of these people will be experienced dog trainers and show participants, so there’s a unique opportunity to learn a lot about dog shows and agility training.

Other Things You Should Know

Dog agility training provides a lot of benefits, but it doesn’t mean that it’s easy. In fact, it can take a lot of work to train your dog and it can be a long process. Some of the first things people start with include training your dog to stay in one place, even if you’re not holding onto the leash. From there, other things come in – such as pole weaving, jumping through obstacles, and more.

Be sure to learn as much as possible about agility training before making a decision one way or another. This can ensure that both you and your pooch are ready.

Should Your Dog Be Enrolled In A Dog Agility Training Class?

You may consider dog agility training classes when you are a pet owner. It is a good idea to join a dog agility training class to familiarize yourself with the advanced concepts, so that you do not teach your dog the wrong methods or put your dog at risk of injury.

No matter if you are planning to go to the masters’ level at the United States Dog Agility Association or you just want to teach your dog agility as an additional activity, a dog agility training class allows the sport to be presented to the dog as fun activities, rather than some forced duty.

Dog agility training has been in practice a very long time in Europe, thanks to the idea branching from equestrian jumpers, and has been practiced in the United States for more than a decade. Spectators, as well as pet owners and their dogs, find dog agility competitions quite enjoyable.

You will gain a good deal of satisfaction in knowing your dog is excited about its agility training. A dog agility training class will offer you insight into the world of performance, obstacles and scoring. Dog agility training classes also build your dog’s self-esteem.

Some agility classes are more competitive than other classes, so it is best to scout for the best atmosphere for you and your dog. When you enroll your dog into agility training classes, the dog learns how to race against the clock, as well the competitive nature and companionship that play a part in the animal’s performance.

Many dogs are eager to attend a dog agility training class and thoroughly enjoy the activities. These agility classes very inviting and give the dog an opportunity to work in new environments that may include poles, ramps, jumps and even colorful tires to use for their training activities.

Most dog agility training classes will require you and your dog to have already attended an obedience class, since many dog agility classes hold the right to ban an aggressive animal that may cause any disruption of the class.

More often than not, a dog agility class may meet for about one hour weekly during a six-week course. Classes normally start with playtime and warm ups to accustom the dog with its surroundings. These dog agility training classes are very enjoyable for the dogs and give you the opportunity to meet fellow dog owners in your community.

Training commences when the handlers gain the dogs’ attention. The dog agility training class may possibly cover many things such as jumps. Smaller jumps are used for beginner class and the more advanced dogs using larger jumps once they build up their ability to do so.

Many dog owners find dog agility training classes to be enjoyable, but must keep in mind that the training usually involves the handler showing the animal what is to be done, before the dog understands what to do. Bringing treats in form of rewards until the dog gains the ability to follow its commands on queue is a good idea. Overall, if your dog has the ability to overcome the obstacles of dog agility training classes, you may find you and your dog on the way to the master level in dog agility competitions.