Agility Curious? Get Started with Real World Training

No fancy equipment is needed to get your dog started on some agility training. photo: AdobeStock

If you’re interested in agility training, it’s probably because you think your dog will have fun doing it and there is absolutely no better reason to give it a try. But there are plenty of other benefits to be had, whether it’s on a formal agility course or out in the real world. 

Our pups need exercise to thrive mentally and physically, just as we do. Training a dog in the specialized skills required for agility also creates a unique bond between dog and handler. But you may be wondering how to get started in a sport that can look intimidating from the outside.

You may also think you need a lot of expensive equipment to reap the benefits of dog agility. But the good news is you don’t. In fact, you and your dog can explore many aspects of agility training in your regular “real world” life. It’s fun, easy, and free–plus you’ll get a taste of the type of training required if you decide to really pursue the sport.

Agility Equipment is Where You Find It

I was visiting my mom when I announced at breakfast that my dog and I were going out to do some agility training. Needless to say, she was surprised as she doesn’t have an agility course or any equipment. But she does have a field with several fruit trees in it. 

Using the setting at hand, I was able to practice sending my dog to an obstacle/tree and directing him to stay out and find another obstacle/tree. He was able to practice wrapping tightly around a lemon tree as well as driving hard back to me for a reward, skills we need when we compete. We also worked on his commands to turn toward me and away from me and practiced with him working on both sides of my body. We were actually able to replicate a pretty good agility workout using only my mom’s trees in the real world.

Getting Started

Ready to get started with your own real world agility skills? Here’s a list of readily available “equipment” and some simple exercises for you and your dog.

Dog on Your Right. You are the equipment in this case! Bear in mind this skill can be a bit hard for dogs who are used to always walking or heeling on their owner’s left side. But teaching your dog to be comfortable heeling, jogging, and even sprinting with you on both sides of your body is a great place for you to start your real world agility training. Use treats and praise to reward right-side walking. After that, you can graduate to fruit trees.

Send Away and Come Back to Me. You can use trees, cones, barrels, trash cans, or stools for this one–anything tall and round. Start a little distance away from the obstacle and encourage your dog to go out around it and return to you. In this skill, your dog is learning to work away from you as he drives to the obstacle, building confidence and strengthening recall behavior. Every time the dog drives back to you, you throw him a little party (meaning lots of happy praise) and give him a cookie. This exercise gets the dog using his side muscles as he drives around the obstacle and promotes balance and speed.

Balance Skills. Having good balance is a plus for any dog, but agility dogs need their balance to be outstanding. To enhance your dog’s natural balancing skills, encourage him to walk on logs, benches, downed telephone poles, or landscape timbers. Surfaces that are 12 inches or wider are best and make sure they are close to or on the ground. If using a bench, check the spaces between the slats as you don’t want your dog’s toe to get caught.  Also check logs or other wooden surfaces for anything sharp or protruding. It doesn’t have to be a long surface; you  can also use a low, wide stool or a stump for your dog to practice balancing on. 

Be patient as you train, allowing your dog to find his balance on his own. Let him take his time. It’s fine if he jumps off and on until he gets comfortable; even that action is a good work out. As he becomes more confident, you can progress to having him turn around and walk in both directions on the surface. Just don’t make things too hard for your dog at first. As with any training, you want him to enjoy success. 

Jumping. Have fun teaching your dog to jump over logs and branches. Or be creative–the first jumps I used with my dog were brooms laid across paint cans. If you’re making your own jumps, just be sure the dog can knock the bar (or broom stick) off if he doesn’t clear it. For safety reasons, don’t ever jump your dog on concrete; it’s as hard on their joints as it would be on yours. 

Make sure the jump you’re using is an appropriate height for your dog; higher isn’t  better. A good rule of thumb is not to set a jump any higher than your dog’s withers (that’s the top of the shoulder where the neck connects to the back). If you are using logs and benches, don’t worry if your dog uses his rear feet to help himself over. Again, he is still using his body in a dynamic way so he’s still getting the benefits of exercise. 

Finally, a word of caution: safety should always come first. Dogs should be in good shape to start any kind of agility work; that means not too fat, not too old, not too young, and not with underlying illnesses or medical conditions. Do not train your dog on uneven or slippery ground; he needs a solid footing with both cushion and traction (grass is perfect). Also don’t train when it is too dark for your dog to see well. Remember, the idea is to benefit their bodies, not harm them. 

If real world agility training appeals to you and your dog, chances are the actual  sport of agility may, too. So why not give it a try and see how it goes?

See you in the real world!