Agility : It is a canine sports modality that is practiced with the dog’s owners, which allows them to exercise and strengthen emotional ties. It consists of the dog making the route of an obstacle course, such as fences, tunnels, palisade, seesaw and slalom among others, directed by his guide, in the cleanest and most accurate way possible and competing against the clock, with the in order to assess aspects such as canine intelligence, speed, concentration, sociability and agility.
Summary
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- 1 Origin
- 2 Reasons to practice Agility with the dog
- 3 Basic tips on how to do Agility
- 4 Sources
Origin
The origin of Agility dates back to the late 70s, in Great Britain. In 1977, a member of the organizing committee of the Cruft’sDog Show proposed adapting the horse jumping courses for dog training.
At first this show was thought for the dead times of the dog show. The following year and with the help of the prestigious trainer Peter Meanwell , this idea of dog education materialized, since it was shown that the benefits were multiple.
Since then, Agility for dogs has evolved, becoming a sport for dogs that maintains two premises: the guide-animal relationship and canine entertainment.
However, it has also been acquiring a show component in the Agility circuit and competitions and exhibitions are organized.
Reasons to practice Agility with the dog
Agility practice can be a great way to educate your pet. The animal has to follow rules and obey the guidelines set by its owner with his voice. The dog learns to obey commands such as ‘stop’, ‘jump’ and ‘run’, while following the voice of its owner.
The fact of sharing activities outside the home with the dog, in this case the practice of agility, helps to strengthen emotional ties between owner and pet. It is a fun and healthy hobby, because both the owner and the dog stay in shape while having a good time.
Basic tips on how to do Agility
- Always go to an agility club where the instructors are canine educators with prestigious training. That they use suitable material, never aversive or punitive.
- It is never done with a collar or leash (if possible without anything, or antiparasitic , during training and competitions).
- Beware of dogs up to 18 months (this is when bone development is complete and growth lines are properly attached). They cannot make sharp turns, jumps, or impact exercises. Remember that there are many fun things that we have to do before, and that your puppy can do.
- Use motivation as a common thread so that your dog has more and more desire to practice agility.
- If something does not go well, do not insist on making it easier for them and you will see how, in a couple of times more, or in the next session, they will!
- Remember that depending on the size, the dog jumps one height or another.
- During learning, complete clues are not made. You learn obstacle by obstacle, and little by little circuits are made, reaching tracks of up to 22 elements … Patience!
Everyone starts at initiation, then advanced level and then competition, but you should not get carried away by competition and results, but by the activity itself.
