Looking After Your Dog, Part Seven - Dog Agility Training
Dog agility is a sport in which a dog runs on a course, laid with intermittent obstacles, under the supervision of its owner or trainer. The sport made its debut as an entertainment event for spectators at the Crufts Dog Show in 1979, and has not looked back since then. Dog agility sport now enjoys immense popularity in England, Western Europe and North America. Dog agility is very much modelled on the show jumping sport of horses (equestrian), with a few additions of its own.
There are a lot many different variations of the sport. International rules and specifications have been laid out for the sport, and they require a supreme level of agility from the competing dogs. Trials, which are conducted by dog training clubs, are sanctioned by several national and international organizations. The required level of competence relates directly to the height of jumps and the size of obstacles in a dog agility course. Apart from the dog agility events held at the national/international level, the sport is also carried out at a lower scale in small districts and towns. Here, the rules might not be as stringent as they are at the large scale games.
In a dog agility competition, the obstacles are arranged in various course configurations as deemed suitable by the competition judge. The dog handler/trainer is supposed to direct their dog around the course in a progression predetermined by the judge. As per the rules of agility, the trainer may impart any commands but may not touch the dog or the equipment. Dogs are faulted for taking down a jump bar, taking obstacles out of sequence, running past or stopping before the next obstacle to be performed etc. Moreover, the course needs to be completed in a set time period, or the trainer may face a penalty from the judge.
In dog agility sport, dogs compete against other dogs of similar height. However, the configuration of the course may vary from one organization to another. Regardless of the course layout, the dog with the least number of faults and the fastest completion time wins the competition.
Dog agility training may start at an early stage of a dogs life. This would help inculcate a sense of timing and discipline from the very start. Pamper your dog with praises, toys and treats so as to motivate it through the advanced levels of training. With proper training, your dog could very well win one of those popular dog agility competitions.
Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog health. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now
Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.
Written By: Niall Kennedy
 ABC News | Treating Dogs' Cancers Helps Humans? ABC News Some of the most promising insights into cancer are coming from pet dogs thanks to emerging studies exploring remarkable biological similarities between man and his best friend. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs. Every year, millions of dogs ... E-Training for Dogs Announces Availability of Two New Online Dog Training ... |
 Cinema Blend | Jason Reitman to recreate 'Reservoir Dogs' -- with a major twist -- EXCLUSIVE Entertainment Weekly by Anthony Breznican Jason Reitman has aimed his sights at reinterpreting a new classic: Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. After re-creating The Breakfast Club, The Apartment, The Princess Bride, and Shampoo in a series of Los Angeles staged readings ... 'Reservoir Dogs': Jason Reitman Sets Stage Reading Of Tarantino Classic With ... Jason Reitman Using An All-Black Cast For His Reservoir Dogs Reading Terrence Howard, Anthony Mackie Among Cast of LACMA Reading of Reservoir Dogs |
 Wall Street Journal | Dog-on-it: Another Hollywood award show Boston.com With Uggie stealing hearts in “The Artist,'' snagging the spotlight at celebrity events and reportedly preparing for a sketch with Oscar host Billy Crystal, Hollywood really has gone to the dogs this year. There's even a brand-new award show honoring ... Dog-on-it: Another Hollywood awards show Hollywood dogs do battle ahead of canine Oscars Hollywood Is Going to the Dogs |
 ABC News (blog) | Dogs Bites News Anchor's Face on Live TV The Hollywood Gossip What should have been a feel-good news story soon became anything but when Kyle Dyer, an anchorwoman at NBC's KUSA Denver affiliate, was bitten in the face by a dog that had been rescued by a heroic firefighter from an icy lake a day earlier. Dog Bites Newscaster: Tips to Prevent it from Happening to You Rescued Dog Bites News Anchor on Live TV Anchor Bitten By Dog |
 News 10NBC | Proposed Gorham dog breeding business on hold MPNnow.com By Julie Sherwood, staff writer The Gorham town Planning Board's approval last month of a dog-breeding facility is, for now, “null and void” because the application was not reviewed by the Ontario County Planning Board, Town Supervisor Fred Lightfoote ... Hundreds turn out for meeting to discuss dog-breeding facility Joanne Brokaw on Animals, God, Faith & Life |