Would you like to try a fun and exciting activity with your pup? Agility training is a great way for both you and your pet to get some exercise, but the benefits don’t stop there. Training is a great way to bond with your pet, and most dogs love having something to do. Agility training (or any type of obedience training) gives your dog a feeling of confidence and closeness with his family.
If you have ever watched agility trials on Animal Planet or any other channel, you know that the course can be pretty big. Jumps, ramps, poles, tunnels, and more face the four-legged competitors. You don’t need a whole lot to get started with agility training in your backyard.
- Jump — With a few PVC pipes, you can construct a simple jump for your pup. The height of your jump will depend on the height of your dog! Basically, you will need 8 short lengths of pipe, one long length of pipe (approximately 32 inches), and four T-shaped connectors. Assemble as shown in the diagram below.
- Weave — A set of weave poles is another easy project, thanks to a few PVC pipes. You need six poles that are three feet high. Place them twenty inches apart in a straight line; the easiest thing to do is place directly into the ground.
- Pause — A pause box can be marked out with tape or stakes. You can even set out a blanket, towel, or tablecloth to serve as your pause box!
You will also need some treats for your athlete and a bowl with fresh water. After your pup knows the basics, you may want to use a stopwatch to time your runs.
Ready to teach your pup to jump? Be sure to give him some time in the yard to just investigate the new toys. When you are ready to start, stand on one side of the jump with your dog on the other. Hold up a treat and tell him to come. If he chooses to walk around rather than jump over, no treat for him! You may need to show him by gesture or by actually jumping over the pole yourself, if you can.
To teach your dog to weave, put him on his leash and physically lead him around the poles. While you do, repeat the word “weave” over and over — this will be the command you use every time he is faced with weave poles. Reward a good run with praise, pets, and treats, so your pup will learn that weaving is a positive experience.
Part of agility run is the pause. Your dog must sit or lay down in a predetermined spot for a particular amount of time — three, five, maybe ten seconds. If your dog already knows Sit and Stay, you are ready for the pause box!
No matter what, HAVE FUN with your agility equipment. If your pup doesn’t take to it right away, don’t get mad. Enjoy the play and bonding with your dog, and leave it at that. If you happen to have an amazing athlete on your hands, you may want to invest in some other equipment like a ramp, collapsed tunnel, or seesaw.