Agility training for dogs has become increasing popular in recent decades, particularly throughout Europe and North America. This unique sport requires dogs and their human owners to function together as a team to complete an obstacle course, encouraging obedience and bonding while providing an excellent exercise opportunity to dogs. If this is your first time learning about this fun pastime, this article will outline the basic information.
What Kinds of Obstacles Are Used?
In competitions, the courses are always carefully designed to test as many different skill sets as possible, while still being enjoyable for everyone involved. These obstacles are classified as contact, jumps, tunnels, or miscellaneous. Let's look at them in a little more detail.
Contact Obstacles
These challenges are intended to measure a dog's balance and speed. One of the most common types is an A-frame, or two wooden boards connected an acute angle. Dogs are required to climb up and down this frame, much like scaling a tiny mountain. Another favorite is the teeter-totter, designed just like the children's toy. Dogs must run across as quickly as possible without losing their balance, even when their weight shifts the plank and drops them towards the ground.
Jumps
Watching competing dogs leap over various hurdles is one of the most exciting parts of any dog agility competition. The hurdles may be wooden planks just like in a track and field event, or they may be tires hung from strings for canine competitors to jump through. Some of these hurdles are designed to test the length of a competitor's jump, while others measure the height.
Tunnels
The tunnels used in these events are always made out of flexible materials, such as vinyl or plastic, to ensure the competitors' safety. They usually twist and turn, making them all the more challenging. Many also have loose fabric covering the exit end, creating another challenge as dogs try to not be slowed down too much.
What's the Point?
If your dog has not prohibitive health issues, there are many advantages to enrolling yourselves in dog agility training. For example, a dog who can obey your vocal commands and body language on the course will also be a delight at home and wherever you go. There is also the benefit of mental and physical exercise for both of you, as well as an outlet for highly energetic dogs. All in all, agility training is an excellent option for many dogs and their owners.
An experienced Dallas veterinarian will be able to tell you whether your dog is fit for agility training.
Joseph Devine |
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