Friday, October 17, 2008

The Best Dog Agility Obstacle Courses

By Richard Cross Terris

The best dog agility obstacle courses are ones that are fun for the dog but also complex enough to determine which dog is the best trained. The dog must navigate through the course himself, and often include a variety of obstacles to help separate the best trained dogs from the rest.

This all sounds very formal and scary, but in reality dog agility training can be fun for both you and the dog! There are many dog agility obstacle courses all over the country which range in ability, so whether you're a beginner or a hardened agility veteran there is usually a competition for everyone.

In most cases, agility courses are complex and contain many obstacles for the dog to navigate. These obstacles can include tunnels, ladders and see-saws amongst other things, and will test all aspects of your dogs agility training. Most competitions allow you to see a map of the layout before the competition itself so you can prepare you and the dog for what lies ahead.

Like any timed sport such as dog agility, points are deducted for mistakes as well as overrunning the time limit set for the individual course.

The benefits of dog agility training for both you and the dog are numerous. For a start, it is a great way to keep you and your pet healthy and fit. It is also a fantastic way to bond with your dog in a way that normal training doesn't allow you too - when navigating a dog agility obstacle course you become a team.


To find out more about caring for your dog, including information on agility training, please visit The Dog Clinic. You can also sign up for a free e-mail magazine all about caring for your dog at this address, so be sure to check it out!

TheDogClinic.com

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