Dog agility training: everything you need to know

By Charlotte Stiles

According to the American Kennel Club, agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country. It’s known not only to strengthen the bond between you and your four-legged friend but also to be great fun and a good form of exercise!

Whether you’re interested in starting agility training with your dog, or you just want to know more, we’ll explain the answers to the following questions:

What is dog agility training?

Dog agility involves training your four-legged friend to complete a course with a variety of obstacles in a certain amount of time. This means it puts your dog’s ability to follow instructions, fitness, and speed to the test.

At the end of their round, they will be awarded a score based on their time, performance, and whether they made any mistakes. You can read more about dog agility scoring in this article.

To give you a taste, we’ve listed some examples of obstacles that can be found in an agility course below (source):

Now we know what dog agility training is, let’s take a look at what can influence how good a dog is at agility.

Can any dog learn agility?

Whilst there’s nothing stopping any type of dog from attempting agility, the enjoyment level for your pet, and how good they are at it, can depend on a few factors which we’ll discuss in this section.

Age

Younger dogs (above the age of 1) who have more energy and don’t suffer from debilitating physical conditions associated with older age (such as arthritis, blindness, or poor hearing) are more likely to be able to move around the course and follow your instructions.

If you want to train your puppy for agility, vets strongly recommend waiting until after their first birthday to decrease the risk of injuries and ensure that they have finished growing. If you want to attend training sessions and competitions hosted by the American Kennel Club, there are also other age restrictions which we’ll talk about later.

Breed

Breeds with more energy or an aptitude for training are often better suited to agility. Similarly, breeds of dogs who often suffer from conditions affecting movement or exercise (such as brachycephalic breeds or those with inherited musculoskeletal problems) are more likely to find it difficult.

You can read more here about which breeds excel in agility in this article.

Size

It’s no surprise that large or giant breed dogs may find it harder to maneuver themselves around the course within the time limit, but there can be exceptions! But don’t worry, dogs are placed into categories according to their size.

Temperament

Obedient dogs, those who enjoy being given tasks, and working with their owner are more likely to get the most out of agility. As we mentioned earlier, these characteristics can sometimes be associated with the breed of dog.

If you’re thinking about attending group agility classes, you also might want to think about how well your dog is likely to get on with the other participants of the class!

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What do I need for dog agility?

Your dog doesn’t need to have all the appropriate qualities and characteristics we discussed in the previous section just to attempt agility.

Similarly, there’s no need to go out and buy all the agility training equipment just because you’re considering trying out dog agility with your pet. The right attitude and a few dog treats are a good place to start! You can even start by making your own dog agility course in your backyard.

Another thing to consider is your ability to run around the dog agility course. In the beginning, this is unlikely to be a limiting factor in the success of your training, but if you decide to do competitions or progress to an advanced level, it’s worth thinking about.

In any case, you’ll need to be able to keep up with your pets' movement around the course.

Can you do dog agility training at home?

We’ve given an overview of the pros and cons of home dog agility training below.

Training in a relaxed environment your pet knows.
No professional advice, guidance, and instruction
No need to travel to the class.
You need to buy or make your own equipment (such as tunnels, weave, poles).
No fees.

If you’re thinking of giving it a go at home, the AKC recommends reading the regulations for agility, rewarding your dog with snacks, and practicing for around 15 minutes each day.

Don’t forget, agility is supposed to be fun for both you and your dog, so take it slow and enjoy the process! You can read more about getting started in agility in this article.

What are dog agility classes?

We’ve given an overview of the pros and cons of dog agility classes below.

Proffesional advice, guidance, and instruction.
Fees.
Opportunity for your dog to meet and socialize with other dogs.
Need to travel to the class.
Possibility to enter competitions, meet other pet parents, and become part of a community.
Not suitable for four-legged friends who don't like other dogs.

If you want to compete in competitions organized by the American Kennel Club, you’ll also need to sign up for the AKC Canine Partner program. It’s also important to be aware of the rules and regulations associated with this. You can check AKC events and clubs in your area using these pages.

If you want to take part in AKC competitions, your dog must be over 15 months of age, spayed or neutered, registered with the AKC, fully vaccinated, and healthy.

If you’re thinking of taking your pet out for agility classes, it’s a good idea to ensure they are microchipped and that your contact information is up-to-date.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article about dog agility and that you’ve got all the information you need to consider whether you and your pet may enjoy agility training.