For those who are newbies in the dog agility world, you probably want to learn all about the sport and how best to get involved. Dog agility is not just about competitions, although that is a big part of the fun. Dog agility is really about gaining the fullest enjoyment out of the relationship between dog and owner. Here are a few bits of jargon you need to learn now that you are part of the dog agility experience.
Dogs compete on an agility field or agility course, and these terms mean the same thing. A variety of apparatus are set up on the course and these are known as obstacles. Some obstacles are contact obstacles, and that means just what you think, the dog has direct contact with these obstacles. These include dog agility a-frames, the teeter totter and the dog walk.
There are many other obstacles set up on the course, such as the pause table. This might seem like contact equipment, but it is not classified as such even though the dog does sit and stay on this equipment for a required amount of time. Sometimes, in place of a pause table, there is a pause box. This is a square marked off on the ground. While it looks different, you practice the same skills that you would on an elevated pause table.
Other obstacles include dog tunnels and dog agility chutes, as well as a wide variety of jumps or hurdles. There might be a tire jump, a panel jump and double or triple jumps. Double jumps are simply two single jumps next to each other, forcing the dog to leap a long distance without coming into contact with the jump. Weave poles or weaves as they are commonly called are another obstacle and dogs must weave in and out through the poles. This is one of the most difficult skills for dogs to master. There are also some unique hurdles you might see such as a sway bridge or swing plank or perhaps a log hurdle, but these are less common.
The handler is the important person who helps the dog through the course using signals and commands. Sometimes this is a professional handler but often it is simply the dog's owner who is the handler. Together, the two of you are a team. Once you complete the course, your will receive a score. This score is determined by several factors. You must complete the course in due time and you also have to complete the course correctly. No treats or any other type of incentive may be used. Time faults are given if the dog does not complete the course in the time allotted, and course faults are given for any obstacles that are not completed correctly.
Certainly competitions have their fair share of regulations, but it truly is all about having a great time with our furry companions. They are enjoying the challenge of completing the obstacles and get some much-needed exercise and spending a bunch of time with their favorite person - you. Visit Carlson Agility and you will find every imaginable piece of agility equipment that you might need. They even have mini obstacles that have been scaled down to suit the needs of smaller dogs and, of course, puppies.
Dogs compete on an agility field or agility course, and these terms mean the same thing. A variety of apparatus are set up on the course and these are known as obstacles. Some obstacles are contact obstacles, and that means just what you think, the dog has direct contact with these obstacles. These include dog agility a-frames, the teeter totter and the dog walk.
There are many other obstacles set up on the course, such as the pause table. This might seem like contact equipment, but it is not classified as such even though the dog does sit and stay on this equipment for a required amount of time. Sometimes, in place of a pause table, there is a pause box. This is a square marked off on the ground. While it looks different, you practice the same skills that you would on an elevated pause table.
Other obstacles include dog tunnels and dog agility chutes, as well as a wide variety of jumps or hurdles. There might be a tire jump, a panel jump and double or triple jumps. Double jumps are simply two single jumps next to each other, forcing the dog to leap a long distance without coming into contact with the jump. Weave poles or weaves as they are commonly called are another obstacle and dogs must weave in and out through the poles. This is one of the most difficult skills for dogs to master. There are also some unique hurdles you might see such as a sway bridge or swing plank or perhaps a log hurdle, but these are less common.
The handler is the important person who helps the dog through the course using signals and commands. Sometimes this is a professional handler but often it is simply the dog's owner who is the handler. Together, the two of you are a team. Once you complete the course, your will receive a score. This score is determined by several factors. You must complete the course in due time and you also have to complete the course correctly. No treats or any other type of incentive may be used. Time faults are given if the dog does not complete the course in the time allotted, and course faults are given for any obstacles that are not completed correctly.
Certainly competitions have their fair share of regulations, but it truly is all about having a great time with our furry companions. They are enjoying the challenge of completing the obstacles and get some much-needed exercise and spending a bunch of time with their favorite person - you. Visit Carlson Agility and you will find every imaginable piece of agility equipment that you might need. They even have mini obstacles that have been scaled down to suit the needs of smaller dogs and, of course, puppies.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt loves dog agility training. To find a dog obstacle course, or to find additional agility dog training equipment such as agility jumps, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com site today.
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