Having a dog with good agility builds confidence.

 Agility training can provide the environment and structure needed to help build confidence in your dog. Is your dog afraid of people or other dogs, or is he sensitive to sounds? Even if you learn about the sport and how to train agility in agility classes, your dog may remain under your chair or on your lap for a long time before venturing out.


 Image Courtesy of Pixabay 

Your dog can only learn when they are comfortable. Therefore, training must begin where they feel safe and behaviors must be taught in small steps. Training should probably occur at home, where your dog will be comfortable.

How do you train at home? You must have guidelines and equipment. There are a variety of websites that provide information on agility training. You may also obtain information from books and videos, as well as lesson plans and visual aids for every level of expertise.

There are a variety of equipment that may be beneficial and handy to have at home. Are you planning on using a large yard to set up ten obstacles or setting up equipment and then tearing it down before setting up again? Are you planning on using your garage or basement, or as some agility junkies use their living rooms, to train?

If you are timid, ensure your equipment is safe and strong. Agility training should begin with a 12-inch-high, adjustable-leg pause table. You must begin with a familiar area with your shy dog if he barks at anything new. Put the pause table in your house or yard for a few days, and then let your dog sniff it, but don't rush. You may need to make it harder for the insecure dog by using baby steps. You may entice your dog to get on the table by placing treats or a favorite toy on it. If your dog loses interest in food or toys when you try something new, you can keep him on the table with you. If he is too big to hold, keep him on the leash and you on the table. You should coax him if he backs away, and only reward or treat him when he comes to you.

Your dog should be able to jump on the table at some point using your command word, “Table”, “Box”, or “Kennel”, for example. Slowly build your distance so that your dog is not pressured too soon.

A Contact Trainer is available in many forms. It is a great transition from the Pause Table to a Contact Trainer. A Contact Trainer comes in a variety of designs. We recommend a 3-piece Contact Trainer with one mini A-frame side, a Pause Table, and a mini Dog-walk side. Your dog can either sit on the table or be coaxed down the A-frame or Dog-walk side. Training with a shy dog is a gradual and comfortable process, but it should not be so much that it overwhelms him and causes a shutdown.

 As your dog masters each new obstacle, you can increase the difficulty level. Your dog will become increasingly confident as he completes each new piece of equipment.



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