Agility competitions are a thrilling spectacle for dog lovers. These timed courses see dogs jumping, spinning, climbing, and weaving through obstacles like poles, planks, and tunnels. While most dogs can be trained on agility, they need to be healthy, fit, and flexible to take on these challenging courses.
If you’re interested in agility training for your dog, the good news is you can start at home. Below we cover everything you need to know about dog agility training and how you can make an obstacle course in your own backyard.
Dogs are known for their ability to run, jump, and maneuver around obstacles with grace. Agility essentially takes advantage of those skills through timed obstacle courses that are completed by the dog and their handler. The obstacles in an agility course consist of jumps, weave poles, ramps, and tunnels, which must be completed in a specific pattern.
While all breeds can participate in dog agility, some are more suited to this activity than others. Below are the best dog breeds for agility due to their speed, high energy, and sharp wits:
If you want to start training your dog at home, you’ll need a few items, most of which can be purchased at lumber yards, hardware stores, flea markets, etc. Below is a list of the main obstacles you’ll need to create (we cover how to build these in more detail below).
Agility provides many benefits for your dog, both physically and mentally. These include:
It goes without saying that jumping, running, weaving, and climbing make great exercise for a dog. Not only will these activities tire them out, but they can be a good substitute for the daily walk. Agility is especially beneficial for high-energy dogs who require lots of exercises.
For dogs that are active and intelligent, agility is excellent stimulation. As well as being a great source of exercise, agility keeps them mentally active, which is so much better than a bored canine sat at home all day.
Agility requires excellent communication between a dog and their handler. Therefore, dogs trained in agility learn to be obedient and responsive to commands.
The close working relationship required in agility training strengthens the bond between a dog and their owner. Shared goals, teamwork, and frequent training together all contribute to this union.
If you’re interested in dog agility, below are a few things to know before getting started.
Due to the intensity of agility training, it’s recommended that you start competing your dog around 1 to 2 years old. While you can train them earlier, competition isn’t recommended for puppies because they are at risk of injury. Conversely, older dogs can also compete, but they may struggle with the required fitness levels. If you’re unsure whether your dog is ready, check with your vet to find out when and if they can handle obstacles such as jumps.
Agility requires an immediate and consistent response to a handler’s commands. Therefore, it’s important to brush up on your dog’s obedience skills before you start. Positive reinforcement techniques, training with a clicker, and basic commands like “sit,” “come,” and “stay” are essential for agility training. The “stay” command is particularly important for the teeter board as they must stay on the board until the far end hits the ground.
As well as learning obedience, your dog must learn how to focus while tuning out distractions. Teach your dog how to make eye contact and stay focused on you (or an object you’re holding) without getting sidetracked by other stimuli. This can be done on your walk or in your yard as you practice commands such as “look” or “watch me.”
Agility requires various types of movements, so one way to prepare is to get them used to moving in unusual ways. This includes getting them to walk backwards, step on top of objects, climb through things, place their paws in specific arrangements, etc. You can also teach them how to turn around an object tightly or rotate their body in certain directions with the aid of treats.
Flexibility is key to agility training. Not only does a dog have to squeeze itself in small spaces and move in all directions, but they also must be able to spin and stretch. Using treats or a clicker, help your dog develop flexibility by encouraging them to bow, move around in a circle, do tight turns, or weave through obstacles.
Dog agility isn’t just dependent on the dog; its success is dependent on how well the person handles the dog. To ensure that you work tightly as a unit, practice getting your dog to work comfortably on either side of you and then switch at regular intervals. Using treats, reward your dog for staying on the same side until you command them to switch. Exercises like these ensure that your dog responds well to your commands and will be responsive on the course.
In the early stages, you may find that your dog is afraid of the dark or crawling through tight spaces such as the tunnel obstacle. One way to help them conquer their fear is to associate positivity with dark and enclosed spaces. Get your dog used to crawling through practice tunnels and entice them through using treats and praise. Just be sure you don’t force them through. With patience and practice, your dog will slowly get used to going through the tunnel.
Along with the preparation above, you’ll need to learn how to train your dog through the various obstacles. Below is a summary of each obstacle and how to build them.
Weave poles can be created with ski poles or PVC pipes that you push into the ground. Using 10 to 15 pipes or poles, allow room between each one for your dog to navigate around. In the beginning, space the poles far apart and walk your dog through with a leash, so they get used to weaving. Over time, move the poles closer together; but take it slow so that your dog doesn’t hurt itself.
The dogwalk is a raised walkway with ramps at either end, and it can be constructed using a picnic bench or by placing a 12-foot piece of plywood over two cinderblocks. Initially, your dog may hesitate to climb the obstacle, in which case you can start by picking them up and placing them a short distance from the end. Get them used to walking on it and work your way up until they’re happy doing the entire length.
Standard jumps are essentially obstacles that the dog must leap over. These can be created by stacking cinderblocks with strips of plywood on top. You can then adjust the height depending on the size of your dog and their comfort level.
In the early stages, start low and work your way up: as a rule, small breeds can start with the board at ground level, while large breeds can start 1 to 2 inches off the ground. Before you begin this exercise, check with your vet to find out if jumping is suitable for your dog. Certain breeds are susceptible to joint and back problems, so jumping could injure them.
As the name implies, a pause table is platform that your dog must stop on and perform a “down-stay” or “sit-stay”. Therefore, the difficulty with this obstacle is getting your dog to stay put. To create a pause table, an old coffee table that sits low to the ground makes a great practice version. Training your dog on the pause table can be as simple as patting the surface and using treats.
Agility tunnels are roughly 10 to 20 feet long; practice versions can easily be bought at a children’s or department store and cost less than $20. As mentioned above, you may need to entice your dog through if they’re initially scared of the dark. Treats, vocal encouragement, and practice will see them running through in no time, though!
Tire jumps are easy to fashion in your yard by stringing a hula hoop or old bike tire from a sturdy tree branch. Make sure the opening is large enough for your dog to safely jump through. Initially, you may want to hold the tire low from the ground while your dog walks through it. Once they’re used to it, you can tie it to the tree and slowly raise it to jumping level.
A teeter board is like a seesaw; this obstacle can be fashioned at home using a long piece of wood and some PVC pipes. You’ll want to cover the wood with anti-slip paint to prevent splinters and improve traction. To make the teetering mechanism, you’ll also need to drill holes in the PVC pipe and use carriage bolts to hold it together.
The teeter board is perhaps the most difficult obstacle to train your dog on. The movement of the board can scare even the bravest of pups, so start by getting your dog used to objects moving beneath them. For example, you could train them on low-moving objects like skateboards or toy wagons and use treats to encourage your dog to balance on top of it. After that, you can slowly work your way up to the teeter board.
Dog agility classes can be found at any American Kennel Club (AKC) or by other training organizations in your local area. To find training sessions near you, the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) has a directory of agility groups in each state. The benefit of classes is you can introduce your dog to agility without having to build a course yourself. Once your dog has received training, they can progress to the Agility Course Test, which is an entry-level agility event.
Agility can be done by nearly any type of dog. However, there are things to consider before you start training. First, they need to be fit and healthy enough to undergo agility training. Dogs with injuries, health issues, or dogs that are old are likely not suitable for this kind of rigorous activity. If you have a puppy, they can be trained, but you’ll need to start out gradually to prevent injuries. Check with your vet to find out whether your dog is suitable and healthy enough.
Other things to consider is your dog’s temperament. Agility is beneficial for working dogs with high energy such as herding or hunting breeds. It can also be helpful for dogs with anxious temperaments as it allows them to burn off nervous energy. Agility is also great for dogs that struggle with obedience since this type of training helps them focus and channel their energy.
To determine whether agility is suitable for you, it’s first important to evaluate your fitness levels. Agility is not only active for the dog, but for the handler, too, so you’ll need to be fit enough to participate.
Agility also requires patience and determination; you must be able to repeat exercises without getting frustrated while helping your dog reach their goals. If you’re having doubts, start out slowly and see how you get on.
Agility is an exhilarating, fun, and fast-paced activity that delivers numerous benefits for both dog and owner. Not only does it provide an abundance of exercise, but agility training encourages obedience and focus while fostering a special bond between the dog and their handler. Agility is also a great way to manage behavioral issues by giving the dog opportunities to let off extra energy.
While agility training courses are a great way to get your dog into this sport, as shown above, you can also set up a course of jumps, tunnels, and poles in your own backyard. Just be sure to check with your vet first to make sure your pup is fit to start training. Have fun!