What training equipment does the owner need to buy before training the dog at home?

Agility training for dogs is an exciting recreational activity that helps both the physical and mental development of pets and their owners. Not only is agility training at home great fun, it further strengthens the bond between each other and makes your dog a great athlete. Training at home also requires the preparation of some related equipment, which we will introduce to you next.

Dog agility training is no ordinary game, it's the key to strengthening your dog's bond. Dogs don't just spend their lives in the park, they can also be great athletes. Agility training is one of the best canine exercises for owners to be able to connect with their dog, instill some confidence in it, and burn off some pent-up energy.

The agility competition means that the dog runs through all the obstacles within the specified time. The obstacles include tunnels, saws, ramps and fences. The victory is judged by the time it takes to pass the obstacles. This popular canine sport is often played in large dog clubs, where dogs receive proper training and injury prevention measures. However, agility training doesn't have to be done in a professional setting, and performing agility moves at home is not only fun for pets, but also boosts their self-confidence.

What is dog agility training?

This is a canine sport, in which there is no food or toys as incentives, the owners can only use their voices to motivate the dogs, and it is forbidden to touch any obstacles or dogs. During training, the dog needs to get used to the trainer's gestures, body signals and sounds
Some common agility training equipment

A frame

The A frame requires two flexible ramps 1 meter wide by 3 meters long, both ramps should be hinged together and raised so that the hinged frame is nearly 2 meters off the ground, roughly forming an A shape. Paint the contact areas bright yellow at the bottom of the two ramps to indicate where dogs need to place their paws before descending and ascending. Before practicing on the A-frame, it is best to set the height of the ramp according to the size of the dog, so it is best to gradually increase the height of the A-frame.

wooden bridge

To improve your dog's agility, a single-plank bridge is helpful. The composition of the single-plank bridge requires three planks about 30 cm wide to be connected. The middle plank needs to be 1.3 meters off the ground, and the other two planks will form ramps to help the dog reach the top and bottom of the center plank. The single-plank bridge is good for improving the balance ability of the dog.

tunnel

The tunnel is an important part of home agility training, and dogs are passed through a vinyl tube about 6 meters long and 0.5 meters in diameter. At the beginning of training, the tunnel can be a straight passage, but once the dog builds its confidence, the tunnel can be made into a curved shape. The tunnel should be wide enough for the dog to pass through easily. Closed places often frighten dogs, so this training needs to be done step by step.

bar

When setting up a home agility training class, jumping is an integral part of the training. The dog must jump over the bar, the height of the jump depends on the size and dexterity of the pet. Owners can also make jumping equipment out of cheap PVC pipe. When placing the bar, there must be enough room for the dog to jump between the post and the railing. It's best to look for lightweight railings so that even if you knock them over; your dog won't get hurt.

Double, triple and extended jump bars

All types of jumping for agility training can improve a dog's physical endurance. A board jump is a series of vertically positioned agility bars that the dog must run over. During double jumps, triple jumps and extended jumps, dogs must cross these rails without touching the panels. The master can place two or three bars on two vertical bars, keeping a sufficient distance between the bars. In the secondary jump training, the bars are placed in parallel. However, in triple jump training, the spacing of the bars is adjusted according to the height of the dog.
long jump platform

Long jumping is an agile sport that should only be performed when the dog is confident enough to jump. In long jump agility training, it is necessary to set up a wide area with four or five slightly raised platforms. Dogs must not touch any platform during the entire training process. The length of the platform is adjusted according to the height of the dog, and sufficient training is required before practicing long jump, otherwise, it may cause harm to the dog.

tire

The tire jump is another flexible obstacle that requires tires to be approximately 45 to 60 centimeters in diameter and must be suspended in the air. Like other agility jumps, the dog must jump through the opening in the tire. The height of the jump is determined by the size of the breed. For better visibility, it's a good idea to wrap the tire with fluorescent tape, which will help cover up any openings or uneven tire surfaces. Dogs need a lot of practice to pass the level in one go.

Pause station

A pause table is a flexible obstacle where the dog must stay still in a specific place for a certain period of time. Suspend a square platform approximately 7.6 cm by 7.6 cm so the dog can rest on it. Dogs need to stay in a sitting position for a while. The height of this platform is usually based on the height of the dog. Generally, its height ranges from 20 cm to 76 cm.

braided rod

The braided poles are a series of diagonal spaces that simultaneously form a central line that the dog needs to avoid to reach its destination. This is a group of upright columns, about 10 to 12, 1 meter high and 24 cm apart from each other. At home, braided poles can be made from PVC pipe, but there must be enough spacing for the dog to pass through.

The above is the equipment needed to train dogs for agility. These equipment are the same as the equipment in the official competition. In addition to training the dogs how to cross-domain these equipment, the owner also needs to plan routes for the dogs. In the eyes of professionals, route planning is also a part of getting good results. The owners should spend time with the dogs and sweat in this training place.

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