Dog agility preparation

Dog Agility Preparation:

Assessment and Evaluation

Before you sign your dog up for training classes, purchase books on agility, or set up obstacles in your back yard, you'll need to do a bit of preparatory work. The first and most important thing you'll need to do is determine whether your dog is physically and mentally able to do agility. Make an appointment with your veterinarian for an evaluation and assessment, paying special attention to his hips, elbows, and spine.

Another area that must be evaluated is socialization. Agility involves your dog being able to be off-leash around other dogs and people. Clearly, he shouldn't have an aggressive temperament, and it's important that he be properly socialized to handle the excitement of an agility event. If your dog has not been properly socialized, you will need to work with him to ensure his ability to get along in this situation before doing anything else, as this is critical to his and your success.

It may be worth your while to investigate "Canine Good Citizen" or similar classes that teach socialization skills, often sponsored by breed associations. Skills taught in addition to basic obedience include:

- Accepting a Friendly Stranger
- Sitting Politely for Petting
- Out for a Walk (walk on a loose leash)
- Walking Through a Crowd
- Reaction to Another Dog
- Reactions to Distractions
- Supervised Separation

Related Pages

Dog training

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