Agility

Agility is one of the most popular dog sports in the world.
No matter what, age, breed or if the dog is purebred or not, can compete, once fully grown, one year old.
Tilly, in the pictures is just starting agility, but is quite good at it!
Here are some helpful hints on how to master agility.

Remember your dog must know basic obedience skills to successfully master all obstacles.

The jump
Put your dog on the lead. Hold the lead over the jump so you are on one side and your dog on the other, opposite.
Hold a treat in one hand, and the lead in the other.
Start with the jump low, then call your dog to you.
Do this a couple of times, then add a voice command.
Something simple, such as, Hup, over, or jump.
Every time your dog comes to you, you must give praise and treat when just beginning.
Shortly, take your dog off the lead, and increase the height of the jump.

The tunnel
Start with the tunnel short. Put your dog on a lead, then make your dog sit, and stay while you walk round to the other end of the tunnel with treat in hand.
Hold the lead and call your dog through.
If she refuses, get a friend to push her gently through, then tug lightly on the lead and say her name to encourage her.
After a while make the tunnel longer, and take your dog off the lead.

The pause box
This is one of the simplest obstacles to master, if your dog knows basic obedience.
Make your dog sit or lay down for five seconds, then treat.
Build up to adding a small box marked out with tape around your dog.

The weave
The weave is the hardest agility obstacle you and your dog will ever come across.
Start with your dog on a lead, and go through the poles yourself, continually saying weave, weave, weave.
Make a natural passage way with your legs, and block entrances ways with your feet.
Remember this is the hardest obstacle, and will require hard work through consistency, and patience.

I will add more obstacles, as Tilly and I make our way through them!
Email me if you have any problems with these methods, and I will try my best to answer them.