It's obvious, just by watching, that agility dogs absolutely love the challenge of competition. They love running up and down teeter totters and A-frames, they love scampering through tunnels, leaping through tire jumps and zipping through all of the other obstacles. You probably think that dog agility is something only certain breeds of dogs or personalities of dogs can enjoy, but this is not true at all.
The owner of a very shy dog probably would think that their animal companion would never enjoy taking on these obstacles, but agility training can be a fantastic tool to help your dog gain confidence. Even a dog that is very shy around people or other animals or fearful in general can gain a lot from this type of training. You simply need to account for your dog's personality. While a dog that loves to mix it up with other dogs and seems fearless might enjoy the world of an agility dog club, your timid dog probably would be much better off learning the skills at home from you, their trusted person.
Even if you have a smaller yard, you probably can fit at least one piece of dog agility equipment and a great piece to start with is the pause table. Begin by simply leaving the table in your yard or even your living room and just let your dog get used to the obstacle and sniff it. Purchase the adjustable type of pause table and keep it low to the ground at first so that it is less intimidating. Place a favorite treat or perhaps a beloved toy in the middle of the table and gently encourage your dog to get on top of the table. Be patient, as this could take time and you might have to try for several days before you have your first success.
After your dog will jump onto the table, teach him to sit and stay and then add some distance between the two of you and have him stay for several seconds at a time. Once this has been accomplished, consider trying out some new agility equipment. A three-piece contact trainer can be a great option and this is simply a pause table with a small A-frame up to the table on one side with a small dog walk to go down on the other side. Carlson Agility sells a mini three-piece contact trainer, and the mini versions of agility equipment are a fantastic option for a shy dog because they are simply less intimidating. Of course, the mini obstacles also are ideal for training puppies or a small breed of dog. Once the contact trainer has been successfully mastered, you can purchase a dog tunnel, agility jumps, weaves and other pieces of equipment from Carlson Agility.
Just by mastering the pause table and contact trainer, you should notice an improvement in your dog's level of confidence. As you add obstacles, their level of confidence will continue to gain momentum. Mini versions of just about all of the equipment are available, so you can continue with the smaller sizes, which can be less scary and also have the added advantage of fitting into your yard more easily. You can even take them into your house on a rainy day or at night for some fun extra training. Once the mini obstacles seem pretty well mastered, you could try introducing your dog to other dogs at a local agility group or club. However, some dogs will always be more comfortable enjoying agility training only at home.
Not only does this type of training boost confidence, it's also a great form of exercise for your furry friend, who needs to get outside and run around every day. Working closely together to learn these new skills also strengthens your bond, and the two of you will become even closer through agility training.
The owner of a very shy dog probably would think that their animal companion would never enjoy taking on these obstacles, but agility training can be a fantastic tool to help your dog gain confidence. Even a dog that is very shy around people or other animals or fearful in general can gain a lot from this type of training. You simply need to account for your dog's personality. While a dog that loves to mix it up with other dogs and seems fearless might enjoy the world of an agility dog club, your timid dog probably would be much better off learning the skills at home from you, their trusted person.
Even if you have a smaller yard, you probably can fit at least one piece of dog agility equipment and a great piece to start with is the pause table. Begin by simply leaving the table in your yard or even your living room and just let your dog get used to the obstacle and sniff it. Purchase the adjustable type of pause table and keep it low to the ground at first so that it is less intimidating. Place a favorite treat or perhaps a beloved toy in the middle of the table and gently encourage your dog to get on top of the table. Be patient, as this could take time and you might have to try for several days before you have your first success.
After your dog will jump onto the table, teach him to sit and stay and then add some distance between the two of you and have him stay for several seconds at a time. Once this has been accomplished, consider trying out some new agility equipment. A three-piece contact trainer can be a great option and this is simply a pause table with a small A-frame up to the table on one side with a small dog walk to go down on the other side. Carlson Agility sells a mini three-piece contact trainer, and the mini versions of agility equipment are a fantastic option for a shy dog because they are simply less intimidating. Of course, the mini obstacles also are ideal for training puppies or a small breed of dog. Once the contact trainer has been successfully mastered, you can purchase a dog tunnel, agility jumps, weaves and other pieces of equipment from Carlson Agility.
Just by mastering the pause table and contact trainer, you should notice an improvement in your dog's level of confidence. As you add obstacles, their level of confidence will continue to gain momentum. Mini versions of just about all of the equipment are available, so you can continue with the smaller sizes, which can be less scary and also have the added advantage of fitting into your yard more easily. You can even take them into your house on a rainy day or at night for some fun extra training. Once the mini obstacles seem pretty well mastered, you could try introducing your dog to other dogs at a local agility group or club. However, some dogs will always be more comfortable enjoying agility training only at home.
Not only does this type of training boost confidence, it's also a great form of exercise for your furry friend, who needs to get outside and run around every day. Working closely together to learn these new skills also strengthens your bond, and the two of you will become even closer through agility training.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To discover a dog agility course, or to find further about training equipment for agility for dogs, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com website now.
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