10 Top Dog Agility Tips
Compiled By Ms H. Higgins of First Contact Agility
- Always do your research and start your training with a reputable club/trainer.
- Before starting agility training, make sure you have a good off lead control and focus from the dog.
- Teach the dog to work for food and toys before starting.
- Don’t do any ‘proper’ agility training until the dog is 12 months old – this allows the muscles and joints to strengthen sufficiently (some carefully planned introduction training is ok)
- Spend a lot of time on the basic moves as it will save a lot of time later
- Always reward the dog for getting something right – not tell the dog off for not understanding what you want.
- Always reward the dog while it is on the contact obstacles, not after he has exited them.
- Teach the dog to send away and recall from a distance
- Teach the dog how to do all of the obstacles with out you being close – this will make sure that he understands his job and doesn’t just rely on your body language.
- Remember, Agility is supposed to be FUN – the more the DOG enjoys himself, the better he will work!
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