Are you an owner of a highly energetic dog and seeking an activity that involves positive reinforcement training, engaging in competitions, and socializing with other dog owners? If so, dog agility might be the perfect fit for you and your furry friend.
The Kennel Club introduced Agility to Crufts in 1978 and defines it as a thrilling experience for both dog and owner. This activity consists of a variety of obstacles that dogs must run through, jump over, and weave in and out of them, while being timed. Besides testing the dog’s physical fitness, it also measures the handler’s ability to guide their dog through the course.
Which dogs enjoy agility?
Canines of all sizes and shapes can thrive in agility training, according to PDSA vet Anna. She notes that agility is not only enjoyable but also a beneficial exercise for both you and your dog, improving fitness and obedience as it promotes concentration on your commands and demonstrates the value of teamwork. Some individuals engage in agility as a competitive sport, whereas others engage in it as a means to spend quality time with their pet and provide them with physical and psychological stimulation.
Agility offers numerous ways to participate, including setting up a simple weave and jump course in your backyard. Nevertheless, the crucial aspect to ponder is whether it will be enjoyable for both you and your canine. PDSA veterinarian Anna gives some suggestions to contemplate prior to taking on agility with your beloved furry companion.
Agility in all actions.
This activity requires quick thinking and obedience from your canine, which can provide mental stimulation and maintain their interest. As a result, it could greatly improve their overall emotional and physical health.
Will agility suit your dog’s personality?
Consider your dog’s temperament before getting them into agility. Find out if they are comfortable with new experiences or if they get nervous in unfamiliar situations. You must also determine if they are fond of learning. Since agility involves various obstacles and can entail several new experiences, it is essential to determine if your dog will enjoy it, especially if you plan to enter competitions. If your dog isn’t the type, then agility may not be for them. However, if you are unsure, test the waters by trying out several activities at home and observe their reaction to the challenge.
Agility in all actions.
During an agility session, dogs are not motivated by rewards such as toys or treats, and the handler is prohibited from physically interacting with the dog or any obstacles. Instead, they must rely solely on verbal and physical commands to guide and direct the dog’s movements. Establishing this bond can be advantageous in enhancing your dog’s overall training.
Will your dog’s breed affect their ability to enjoy agility?
When considering agility for your dog, it’s worth taking their breed into account. While there’s no clear-cut rule as to whether a breed will enjoy agility or not, some may have difficulty based on their size or shape when faced with obstacles. Typically, breeds that are naturally curious and highly active tend to excel in agility.
Collies and Spaniels are among the top breeds favored for agility due to their high level of energy and intelligence, making them eager to acquire new tricks. However, it is essential to evaluate your pet’s endurance to perform strenuous activities as some breeds may encounter respiratory problems, overheating, or physical exertion.
Are you and you dog in good health?
It is important to take into account your pet’s medical background before pursuing agility training. This is because agility can cause strain on your dog’s body, particularly in their joints, heart and breathing. If your dog has any existing health issues, it is recommended to consult with your veterinarian before beginning any training. Additionally, it is worth considering your own physical abilities as well, as even small dogs can prove challenging to keep pace with during intense exercise.
Try an agility class out for size
Attending a class is a beneficial approach to determine if your dog is fond of agility training, and with the assistance of an instructor, both you and your canine companion will acquire the best methods. According to PDSA vet Anna, “Despite agility fundamentals seeming relatively straightforward, they can quickly become complicated, and there is a wide range of orders that can present an enjoyable challenge and progress as you learn. When selecting an instructor, it is essential to ensure that they are employing affirmative techniques to aid your dog’s learning, and they comprehend your dog’s specific requirements while being amenable to a comfortable pace that suits you both.”
- The Kennel Club has information about agility and picking an instructor as well as a list of registered agility classes.
- Agilitynet is a website where people post agility news and information about classes on offer.
- UK Agility has more than 14,000 registered members and runs hundreds of days of competition throughout the year. All shows offer 5 regular jump heights, 5 select jump heights and 4 levels, enabling competitors to compete against dogs of similar size and ability. Casual classes are also available for older dogs and nursery classes for the young or less experienced.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
There exist two main categories of dog training. The first is skill-based training, including techniques for teaching basic manners like sitting, staying, and lying down, which falls under the purview of a dog trainer. If, however, your dog is displaying problematic behavior such as anxiety, aggression, or fear, then you require a dog behavioral consultant like Brianna Dick of Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
If you require training for both skills and behavior, begin with behavior training, which is the more challenging of the two. Although a dog trainer can educate your dog to sit, a dog behavior consultant will be more knowledgeable in assisting your dog to cope with separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
According to Fratt, not all dogs will come to enjoy a visit to the dog park just as not every person will learn to love raves.
Kim Brophey, the owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center, is an applied ethologist and specialized in mediating family dogs. She authored the book “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior,” in which she employs the L.E.G.S framework to describe canine behaviors. If your furry friend is barking at your visitors, for instance.
Brophey suggests that the breed of dog might have been chosen over numerous centuries to protect against intruders entering through the front door. Due to the innate protective nature of German shepherds, it may be necessary to revise one’s expectations instead of attempting to eliminate this trait through training.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several training methods to choose from including group classes, one-on-one sessions, board and train programs, day training, and self-directed training. While group classes are less expensive, they are not as personalized. According to Fratt, board and train facilities are more costly and come with greater risk.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
The decision you make will be influenced by both your financial situation and your objectives for training. If your dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior towards another dog at home, it would likely not be beneficial to have training sessions take place somewhere other than your home.
Bear in mind that training your dog requires your participation, but it won’t consume much of your time. According to Fratt, she only spends five minutes per day on training. Furthermore, many of the tasks that trainers assign can be enjoyable and effortlessly integrated into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or inexpensive online resources for dog training as a cost-effective alternative.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together several resources that are available free of charge. Additionally, Fratt offers a set of no-cost lessons known as “Training Tuesday Free Lessons.”
Understand the methodologies.
The dog training industry lacks regulation, allowing anyone with a website, Instagram page, or storefront to assert themselves as a dog trainer. There is no universally accepted guideline for training methods, resulting in differing perspectives among trainers. Nonetheless, trainers generally fall into two overarching categories.
Fratt is an example of trainers who belong to the category of positive reinforcement. This method involves giving dogs a reward, such as treats, when they perform a desired behavior, encouraging them to continue that same behavior. Similarly, it may involve providing dogs with something enjoyable while exposing them to something they perceive as frightening to elicit a positive response.
Another example of a balanced trainer is Brianna Dick, who employs positive reinforcement techniques in addition to being open to utilizing corrective measures such as e-collars during training.
According to Dick, E-collar training means utilizing a collar on your dog that you operate with a remote control. The collar releases a form of stimulation, such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray, to correct your dog’s behavior. E-collars have stirred controversy in the dog training community, mainly due to the types that cause a shock.
According to Dick, caution should be exercised when dealing with trainers who rely on e-collars for all dogs. Dick believes that this is an ineffective approach that fails to produce satisfactory results. She advises that you seek a trainer who takes the time to understand your unique situation, such as your relationship with your dog and lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
To obtain a reliable roster of positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers within your vicinity, it’s advisable to consult lists compiled by diverse professional organizations. Several such associations exist, including:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Proceed with conducting interviews by contacting previous clients and determine which trainer you feel most at ease with. It is important to ascertain their ability to articulate their training techniques.
Don’t rule out medication.
Altering your dog’s brain chemistry can be intimidating, but it’s necessary if your dog is suffering from fear, anxiety, panic, or aggression that cannot be remedied through training alone. It is imperative to treat it as a medical condition.
Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, the medical director at NYC Behavior Vets and a behavior veterinarian, points out that not giving your dog insulin when it has diabetes is similar to not treating a patient with this condition because both require maintaining the proper hormone levels in their bodies.
“At the end of the day, this is a chemical imbalance. And it needs to be treated.”
Have you exhausted all possible solutions for your dog’s behavior issues, including positive reinforcement training, balanced training, medication, and trying out different trainers, but are still not seeing any improvement? In some cases, your dog may be unable to overcome their fear of your children or may be too frightened to relieve themselves outside on a busy street. As an uncomfortable thought, you might eventually need to acknowledge that your home may not be the ideal environment for your dog.
