For the most part, dog agility competitions use the same types of obstacles. While each organization will have rules about height and the amount of obstacles on a course, you tend to see agility equipment such as agility tunnels, an agility chute, a pause table, a teeter totter, weave poles, an A-frame and a dog walk on just about every course.
When it comes to jumps, most organizations will include single pole jumps as well as double or triple pole jumps. A panel jump also is a very common site, and you often will see a tire jump. Jumps can be fairly easy to train a dog to navigate, and you always will find several agility jumps on any course. So if you are planning on a buying a few pieces of agility equipment, jumps are always a good choice.
UKC also sometimes throws in a window jump, which is very similar to a panel jump with a window-size hole cut out of it. Other hurdles you might find on a UKC course include a picket fence hurdle, log hurdle or a water hurdle. UKC and NADAC also use some hoop obstacles on some courses, and UKC has some other interesting and unique agility equipment including the sway bridge and a swing plank.
While dogs love jumps, there are many other pieces of equipment to teach and some are easier than others. Pause table skills, such as sitting or staying, are quite important for agility and obedience. In general, the pause table is an easier skill to learn than agility equipment such as weave poles or a teeter-totter. In addition, your dog's obedience will improve and you can work on distance training with the pause table.
Contact obstacles, such as the tunnel, collapsible chute and the dog walk, all can be fairly easy to teach, as well. Dogs can be somewhat intimidated by the tunnels and chutes at first, but with practice and praise, they tend to enjoy zipping through them pretty quickly. The height of the dog walk also can be scary at first, so introduce this item slowly and let them take their time getting used to the height. Obstacles such as the teeter also can be tricky at first, because of the movement and sometimes dogs are intimidated by the height of the A-frame, so just be patient and give them time to adjust.
All of these pieces of agility equipment can be purchased from online retailers like Carlson Agility. You can find everything you need for training as well as specialty equipment such as K9 training equipment. If you have a timid dog, a puppy or perhaps a small dog, then simply purchase mini agility equipment instead of the full-size version.
When it comes to jumps, most organizations will include single pole jumps as well as double or triple pole jumps. A panel jump also is a very common site, and you often will see a tire jump. Jumps can be fairly easy to train a dog to navigate, and you always will find several agility jumps on any course. So if you are planning on a buying a few pieces of agility equipment, jumps are always a good choice.
UKC also sometimes throws in a window jump, which is very similar to a panel jump with a window-size hole cut out of it. Other hurdles you might find on a UKC course include a picket fence hurdle, log hurdle or a water hurdle. UKC and NADAC also use some hoop obstacles on some courses, and UKC has some other interesting and unique agility equipment including the sway bridge and a swing plank.
While dogs love jumps, there are many other pieces of equipment to teach and some are easier than others. Pause table skills, such as sitting or staying, are quite important for agility and obedience. In general, the pause table is an easier skill to learn than agility equipment such as weave poles or a teeter-totter. In addition, your dog's obedience will improve and you can work on distance training with the pause table.
Contact obstacles, such as the tunnel, collapsible chute and the dog walk, all can be fairly easy to teach, as well. Dogs can be somewhat intimidated by the tunnels and chutes at first, but with practice and praise, they tend to enjoy zipping through them pretty quickly. The height of the dog walk also can be scary at first, so introduce this item slowly and let them take their time getting used to the height. Obstacles such as the teeter also can be tricky at first, because of the movement and sometimes dogs are intimidated by the height of the A-frame, so just be patient and give them time to adjust.
All of these pieces of agility equipment can be purchased from online retailers like Carlson Agility. You can find everything you need for training as well as specialty equipment such as K9 training equipment. If you have a timid dog, a puppy or perhaps a small dog, then simply purchase mini agility equipment instead of the full-size version.
About the Author:
Cheng Bernhardt enjoys dog agility training. To discover an agility equipment, or to find additional agility dog training equipment such as agility jumps, please go to the Carlson-Agility.com site now.
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