Dog agility training is a sport with organized competitions in many countries. It is most appropriate for dogs that have been trained in all the basics from an early age and is good for reinforcing the bond between dog and keeper as well as being good, energetic fun.
Agility equipment for building agility courses includes tunnels, A-frames, hurdles and fences, see-saws, weave poles through which the dog weaves in a specific way to meet competition rules and pause frames on which the dog has to pause while competing.
Training usually starts at an organized club from when the dog is around twelve months old though dogs are not allowed to participate in any of the many forms of competition until at least eighteen months old and older in some cases. Mixed-breed dogs are allowed in some competitions and while some dog breeds are perceived to be more difficult to train for agility competitions, there are so many exceptions to this notion that in reality it appears to be more the case that the dog’s capability is formed from its early training and individual characteristics.
The equipment is so varied, even by its basic type, e.g. collapsible tunnel compared to see-saw, that specific training techniques and exercises are required for each type. Usually the dog will have to be led on a leash initially, quite slowly into, onto or over the obstacle and gently encouraged then rewarded in series of stages, then as its confidence grows, the difficulty increased. Eventually the completion of the task will have to be speeded up in order to compete, as competitions require accuracy, accumulating faults similar to showjumping and then fastest times determine the winner.
Because accuracy is essential while training, this should be the focus of the keeper, then speed can be acquired as experience is gained in competitions.
Dog owners contemplating agility competitions should also be aware that you will have to be fit as well! There is a lot of running near or on a par with the dog as it competes. Great fun though, especially if you can find a dog that is well-suited to showing off its energy and exuberance this way!