Ways to Improve your Dogs Agility

The training involved to help improve your dog's agility is not easy. It takes time to train your pet and get him to obey your commands. Agility training also lays stress on your dog’s joints and legs, and should be done in moderation. Avoid training your pet if he’s just a few months old. Puppies or younger pets have soft bones that can easily fracture if they’re overworked. You must therefore visit the vet before you start training your pet to make sure your dog’s health is not at risk. Instead of simply trying to improve your dog’s agility, it’s best to first train your pet to become more obedient. You could either take your pet for professional obedience training classes in your area or obedience train him on your own if you’re confident enough.

Onstacles and Weave Poles

• To start to improve your dog's agility use smaller equipment and easy obstacles so that your pet gets used to the idea of agility training and doesn’t get extremely tired. Dogs may be frightened to attempt certain obstacles so constant reassurance is required. Don’t over work your pet if he’s ill. Instead, wait for your pet to completely recover and then gradually get him back to the training.
• Weave poles are often intimidating for pets. To get them used to it, you should keep the poles farther away and teach your dog to go through them in a zigzag manner. Once your pet gets used to it, you can shorten the distance between the poles. To improve your dog’s agility you must make sure that your pet is not overweight. Feed him a diet that’s ideal for his age, breed, weight, medical condition, and level of activity.

Other Tips to Improve your Dog's Agility

• Conditions like hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis hinder agility in pets. To keep these illnesses in check you must administer nutrient supplements to your dog. There are plenty over the counter supplements that boost joint mobility and help improve your dog's agility, but it’s best for you to ask your vet if these supplements are safe for your dog. Supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin are ideal for the joints. However, these supplements may have no effect on some dogs even though they may benefit others. If your pet is currently taking any medications, over the counter supplements may interact with these medications and cause drug interactions so keep that in mind before you administer supplements to improve your dog's agility.
• To successfully improve your dog’s agility you must be consistent in the training sessions. Never physically reprimand your dog for not obeying your commands. Pets make ideal companions and shouldn’t be forced into activities that harm their health and well being.