Practice Sessions

Safety for you and your dog is the number #1 priority when learning and practicing for the sport of agility. We want you to strive to learn exercises and methods of mastering the agility obstacles for both you and your dog. Effective teamwork is necessary and you must hone your skills at strategy and effective use of time and effort while your dog learns to focus his attention, build confidence and display accuracy and speed.

Basic Training Principles:

• Give only ONE command!
• Teach for correctness from the start (reliability is diminished if you ignore this principle and re-teaching costs more than just the time it takes).
• Practice with a friend or assistant.
• Use consistent words and body language to communicate to your dog.
• Choose an "off-duty" or release word for your dog such as "free", "okay", "good job", atta boy (girl)".
• Reward correct or improved behavior and always do so before the release.
• As your dog learns the obstacles, change the distance and angles of entry. If a problem occurs go back to the last level of success.
• Vary the types of food rewards so some are more tasty than others.
• Use a sticky treat like Biljac for "spot" or "Target" rewards on contact zones.
• End an exercise while your dog is experiencing success--refrain from excessive repetitions.

Details regarding the Open Tunnel

The Open Tunnel is a flexible tube about 24" wide and up to 20 feet long. The dog enters the end specified by the judge and exits the other end. Select a command word for this obstacle, i.e. "tunnel", "through", "go in". Make sure the dog is comfortable at the entry and exit as you extend the tunnel length or shape it into an angle. You can gradually increase the length of the tunnel, the angle of entry and spped at which dog enters, travels through and exits. Use a tab on your dog's collar to direct your dog's entry to the obstacle as your dog exhibits more confidence on this obstacle.

Closed Tunnel
Pause Table
Weave Poles
A-Frame
Dog Walk
Seesaw
Bar Jumps
Broad Jump
Tire Jump