5 Reasons to Try Agility with Your Dog

5 Reasons to Try Agility

When I got started with Agility I had no interest in participating in trials. While each person is different there are many reasons to try agility with your dog.

Miss Millie was 18 months old when we took our Introduction to Agility class. This class taught her the safe ways to use the equipment and it taught me that I was going to need to up my game as a handler. We had done multiple obedience classes, were working toward our Canine Good Citizen title, and did water work on a regular basis. We both had so much to learn. Here are some of the reasons why we started and continued agility training.

No Experience Needed

One of the great things about getting involved in agility is you don’t need any experience doing it. When Miss Millie and I started agility the only agility I had ever seen was on TV. I didn’t know the first thing about training a dog to jump over an obstacle or to go through a tunnel or any of the other things we’ve learned.

It is important to find the trainer that works for you. Your trainer will be teaching you and your dog and if it isn’t fun then neither of you are going to enjoy the experience. Remember training should be fun and relaxed and both you and your dog should be happy.

Any Dog Can Participate

Unlike the conformation circuit, any dog can participate in agility. You don’t need to have a purebred dog. Whether your dog is short or tall, small or long, they can join in on the fun. In agility dogs will run the same course but the jumps will be at different heights, so the Dachshund isn’t jumping the same height as a Great Dane.

If you decide to compete in AKC Agility Trials you will need to get your dog either an AKC Number (purebred dogs) or an AKC Canine Partners Number (mixed breed dogs). There are other organizations you can compete in as well and they will require separate registrations.

Develop Your Relationship

You and your dog will develop a much stronger relationship when you are training agility. Your dog will be reading your body language in addition to your verbal commands. It helps reinforce your obedience training. Your dog is able to generalize commands in different situations helping to strengthen their response when given direction.

Miss Millie was very dependent on instructions and didn’t want to be left by herself. In agility her “Wait” and “Stay” command improved. The requested duration was less and so she was able to be successful. This success transitioned to “real life” and now she has an incredible “Stay” and “Wait” command.

Activity for Both of You

When we started with agility I was looking for anything to tire out my Portuguese Water Dog. She had far more energy than exercise could ever get rid of. Miss Millie needed her brain to be tired. The best way to tire out a brain is to teach new things. Miss Millie loves learning new things and after each class she would be exhausted. To this day after agility class she needs at least an hour nap before she is ready to go.

While you aren’t out running a 5K you are running, if you can, during your turn. If you aren’t able to run you will learn techniques so that your dog can respond without you being at the obstacle. Regardless of your level of activity your brain will get a work out too.

There are some courses in trials that I’ve run that have been so hard for me to keep on course……Miss Millie generally has an opinion on those courses. She will stop working if she thinks I’m confused. Some dogs will bark or spin in circles until they get the information they need to continue.

Training

One of the great things about agility is the opportunity to further train your dog in a fun setting. Their basic obedience commands become second nature. Because agility is done off leash you will improve their recall in a controlled setting. I prefer to only have one dog working at any time, regardless of the size of the location. It is much easier to get a dog to focus on you when you are the most exciting thing on the course.

There are many reasons to try agility, regardless of yours it is a great way to connect with your dog and challenge yourself. I highly suggest taking an Introduction to Agility course. I would suggest waiting until 2 years old or until the growth plates have closed prior to starting agility. However, it is never too late to start. I know 8-year-old dogs that are just getting started and they are loving every minute of it.

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