March 28, 2018
Agility training is great way to bond with your puppy while helping them get some exercise! Here are some basic fun skills you can teach your puppy that will help them master an agility course. You never know, your furry friend could qualify for an agility course competition.
- Tricks – Puppy tricks are a great way to offer your puppy mental stimulation and exercise. Aside from the basic puppy tricks like shake paws, sit down, wave, and take a bow, you could teach your puppy how to jump through a hoop, give you a kiss, and weave through your legs.
- Side – Encourage your puppy to walk by your right and then left side. You can reward your pup with a treat. Puppies must be able to perform on both sides.
- Climbing in things – Get a box or a bin and encourage your puppy to climb inside it. You can create a line of boxes so your puppy can climb in and out of the boxes.
- Climbing on top – Flip the box or the bin, make sure it is sturdy enough to hold your puppy. Encourage your pup to climb on top, and sit on the on the box.
- Ladder – Place a ladder on the floor and with a treat to entice your fur-baby to step through the rungs.
- Moving Items – A skateboard is perfect for this agility exercise. If your puppy is scared of the skateboard because it moves, you could practice on another object while they build up the courage to climb on top.
- Tunnels – This is very easy to create just place a blanket over two chairs spaced apart and teach your pup how to run between the tunnel.
- Jumps – Jumping is very important in an agility course. You could use start with small jumps, place a broomstick over two chairs spaced apart and encourage your puppy to jump over it.
- Weave Poles – If you do not own any cones, you could place chairs in a straight line for your pup to go through. Make sure they are spaced apart enough that your puppy will only enter between the 1st and 2nd cone or chair.
After your puppy has mastered these core agility skills at home, you and your pup could continue training by attending an agility class. Agility helps build confidence and trust.
Remember to always use positive reinforcement and praise. Make sure you and your fur-baby are both having fun and getting some great bonding time!
Here are some exercise tips that your puppy will appreciate.
