Dog Agility Explanation and Why It Is Fun for Your Best Friend and Is Good for You and Your Pocket Also.

Read further and see whether you think your dog would love this type of fun and exercise:

Agility first got its start in England but now it is the fastest growing dog sport in the US. It is a sport that both gives both exercise and entertainment for both the dogs and their handlers whether they have qualified in their run or not. It has become very popular among spectators, the action is always fast and entertaining. It's fun for everyone!

For an Agility course a handler/dog team competes. Agility courses have obstacles the dog must perform correctly. These obstacles consist of various jumps, various tunnels, weave poles, a dog walk, a seesaw or teeter, an A-Frame, and a pause table. The exact type of obstacles on a course depend upon the class and the sanctioning organization.  A judge in advance determines the direction and flow that team must take and the handler or the team directs the dog by approved methods off leash through the course. Approved methods are to clap, cheer, run with the dog, and call the dog through each obstacle as is appropriate for the team. The course is timed and the team that finishes with the fastest time and the fewest course faults. And don’t worry, a Labrador Retriever may run faster and jump higher than your pet Dachshund but they compete in different classes and the heights/requirements are adjusted.

There are many different types of Jumps.  They may be winged or wingless hurdles and a panel or wall jump. There are also different types of spread jumps, including the double and triple bar, and broad jump. A tire jump can also be found also. This is just a tire or hoop suspended on a frame. Many dogs are fearful without training of this type of jump. There are other specialized jumps which may be seen on an individual course.

There are usually two types of tunnels on an Agility course. There is a “open” tunnel which is just a pipe type tunnel which can be formed to make various shapes that the dogs run through. There is a “closed”  chute, or collapsed tunnel.  This tunnel consists of two parts. The start portion is made of a rigid barrel and a chute of material follows. Dogs enter the barrel and traverse their way by burrowing to the other side. This is one of the obstacles in which Dachshunds excel since they love to tunnel and burrow.  Even though some are faster than others the tunnels are considered a favorite obstacle by most dogs.  In UK trials, there is also used a crawl tunnel in which the dog traverses low to the ground.

The Weave Poles are upright poles that the dog weaves in and out.  The dog traverses between them all. The Dogs must enter with the first pole at their left shoulder and then proceed down the line of poles. The handler just runs alongside and doesn’t enter. The number of poles may vary. This obstacle usually takes the longest to train and it is recommended you have a set in your backyard or during travel to practice with.

The Dog walk, A-Frame, and Seesaw or Teeter are called contact obstacles.  The dogs run over each obstacle and they must touch the yellow paint known as the contact zone at the ends of each board. This demonstrates both discipline and is also a safety feature for the dogs. They are not allowed to jump off the top of the A-Frame which can be may be over 6 feet tall, or the Dog Walk while crossing. The teeter, or seesaw, is a moveable contact board.  Just imagine a seesaw that may have used as a kid or seen kid’s on in a playground.  The dog travels up the board, touches the contact zone and then rides it down to the ground where the dog then leaves the obstacle.

The Pause Table is simply that although some dogs don’t like this break in their action.  The top is a 3' x 3' square, which rests on an adjustable stand.  This is adjusted to the various jump heights for the dog class. Some sanctioning organizations have the table at the same height for all dogs.   The dogs pause on this table for a count of 5 seconds and then proceeding to the next obstacle.

The above is why it is fun but now for the benefits:   

Dogs have less health problems and live longer -  “Overweight dogs die at a younger age than those maintained at an optimum weight.” Dog Obesity continues to increase. Man's best friend has a growing problem. The number of obese dogs has increased to 22-48% according to a new study. This is largely due to lack of physical activity and a high-calorie diet.  Bump up the exercise level and try Dog Agility and also add in some playtime. A dog that does nothing but lay around the house is going to gain weight far more quickly and you wish for your best friend to be with you a long time don’t you. Obesity can definitely shorten a dog's life. Research shows that thin dogs live on average two years longer than dogs that are slightly overweight. Unfortunately, much like their owners, most dogs in the United States are overweight.  So, start exercising with Dog Agility. 

Dog Agility for exercise while fun could save you money.  A recent article entitled “Why Slimmer Pets Make Smaller Vet Bills” reports that your overweight dog can easily run up thousands in medical bills - which you'll gladly pay, out of love for the cherished pooch. Even if you have pet insurance many insurers won't pay for treatment if your pet is overweight. Again, start exercising with Dog Agility. 

For more information on the health risks associated with Dog Obesity which could cost you much money go to:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1660&articleid=694