| |
Why Agility Training for Health
What is Agility Training
Playing fetch is not
your only option these days when you want to interact in a fun way with
your dog. The area of canine sports is growing by each year with brand
new sports cropping up and old sports being reintroduced, from the
age-old dog sledding to the relatively new sports of Frisbee and
Agility.
For the active enthusiast, there's Agility. What a fun sport! Even
watching it is entertaining. The dogs and handlers may train hard, but
it is still a recreation-based sport, requiring your dog to go through
an obstacle course of tunnels, weave poles and jumps. Agility is a
terrific way to truly mesh with your dog as you both learn to understand
the slightest signals and body language.
|
Dog agility is a
sport in which the dog owner or handler is given a set amount of
time in which to direct a dog through an obstacle course. Agility
made its debut as an entertainment for spectators at the Crufts Dog
Show in 1979 and was originally loosely modeled on equestrian
stadium jumpers competitions. Since then, the sport has evolved and
new obstacles added such as the See-Saw, the Pipe Tunnel, and the
Weave Poles. Spectators in England and the US continue today to get
caught up watching the dog and handler's enthusiasm in their
athletic race against the clock. |
|
How Agility Training Helps
The objective of the
agility competition is to evaluate the intelligence and speed of the
dog. This discipline implicates harmony between the dog and its owner,
and perfect understanding as a team. Dogs must show a high level of
obedience, docility and flexibility, just as a great memory to remember
the obstacles. They will also have to know how to control themselves, as
well as the speed of their performance. At last, they will have to show
a notable spirit.
In order to perform
in these competitions, dogs must be in great physical condition. Many
people have started out using agility training to exercise their dogs.
It is a complete exercise and conditioning program, utilizing running
and jumping, speed and endurance skills. The jumping courses are pure
dog athleticism in action. Additionally, agility training helps develop
discipline and mental sharpness as well.
As with beginning
any new exercise program, for dogs or humans, start slow. Puppies can be
started in training with regular walks at four months of age, increasing
to longer 1 –2 mile walks as they get older. Young dogs should not jump;
landing on immature forelegs and shoulders can cause injuries. Obstacle
training can begin in a variety of ways. For instance, an 8-inch board
raised a few inches off the floor is a good beginning for the balance
beam. A beginner's "jump" can be anything form a broomstick propped an
inch or two off the ground. With an obese dog, we start by formulating a
proper diet, and then move on to stretching and flexing exercises.
Initially, a lot of work is done on flat ground until the dog has
dropped weight. Then can you begin adding in agility equipment like
jumps and tunnels.
If you think Agility Training is for you, check out great Web sites like
and look for a local Agility Club.
Improve your dog’s agility performance,
particularly speed and quick turns, with PetFlex. |
|
