Dog Training Tips: Things I've Learned About Agility Dog Education

By Darren Angles


I've owned a lot of dogs, throughout my life, but have by no means known precisely how to train them properly. I based my training on punishment and just couldn't determine why that did not operate that well. But, virtually two years ago, I started education my Papillon for agility competitors. She was incredibly high-drive and I knew she'd actually enjoy it. So, I found a good agility training school and off we went. We've been competing, very successfully, for virtually a year now and, searching back, I learned a lot of important issues about dog education!

First of all, most trainers call for that dogs have completed at the least a basic obedience class prior to proceeding to agility education. This can be essential to agility instruction and, in my opinion, each dog and handler could benefit from a fundamental obedience class. I discovered that I've a food-motivated dog and that she will operate her heart out for extremely prized treats, not for punishment! You will find expertise you and your dog will discover, by means of an obedience class, for example recalls, sit/stays, down/stays, and walking nicely on a leash. Every of these abilities is one thing you'll need to have each time you compete, to not mention day-to-day life along with your dog.

The pace of the education will often be set by your dog. Each dog learns at a various speed and, what comes effortlessly for one particular dog, may not come simply for another. So, be very patient whilst education your dog any talent. Make it a game. Let your dog take as much time as it requirements, without having acquiring impatient or frustrated, to find out what behavior you would like from it.

All tasks should be broken down into small pieces, whether or not the process is actually a basic sit, the beginnings of obstacle instruction, or much more complicated tricks or agility sequences. In the event you break the job down to one thing modest, then mark/reward and repeat, numerous instances prior to creating the task larger, you'll have success without having stressing the dog out. For example, when training an agility tunnel, you scrunch it as much as its smallest form. Have somebody location your dog in the entrance while you sit around the ground at the exit, with a treat, and contact your dog. As quickly because the dog comes through that small piece of a tunnel, you mark/reward. Slowly begin expanding the tunnel using precisely the same approach. In just a number of minutes, you will have your dog going by means of however lengthy a tunnel you will need.

For agility coaching, once the dog starts obstacle training, there is never a incorrect answer. Dogs get confused, and might shut down, if they commence being told they're carrying out the wrong factor, so keep the coaching light and by no means scold for doing the incorrect point. If the dog doesn't do what you need it to, you simply do not mark/reward for that action. You just ask once again and, the minute you get the right response, mark/reward and make a massive deal of it. That will make your dog much more anxious to provide you that identical answer again. As you commence competing, you could wish to use a specific word to indicate the incorrect response, including "uh oh," or "oops," but not using a scolding tone. This will indicate that the dog will likely be asked to try once again but every little thing is fine among the two of you.

Lastly, constantly keep the training exciting for each you and your dog. Even whenever you begin competing, or have been competing for any extended time, this is crucial. Should you begin acquiring caught up in the competitors and title-winning, you could overlook why you began agility to begin with: simply because it's enjoyable! When the game stops becoming exciting, your dog won't appreciate it any longer and neither will you. Agility is a fantastic sport and can forever secure the partnership among you and your dog. Run rapidly, run clean, and, above all, have exciting!




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