Do you have a dog who is bouncing off the walls? You might want to consider channeling your dog’s energy in a new direction with the sport of dog agility! Regardless of if you have an interest in competing or just something fun to do with your pup, dog agility training is a fun sport that can help to build your dog’s confidence and get the two of you more active together. Here are just some of the benefits of getting involved in dog agility.
What is agility?
Dog agility has become one of the most popular and recognizable dog sports. Dog agility is a high-energy sport where dogs are trained to race over obstacles, jump over jumps, and run through tunnels. This fast-moving sport is judged on the accuracy of how dogs perform each obstacle, as well as speed. In dog agility, the course or arrangement of the obstacles is different and unique each time a dog runs. In dog agility, the human handler directs the dog around the course, telling the dog what obstacle to take next. Dog agility is a sport you can play recreationally in your backyard, take classes with a local community group, or can be played competitively.
Physical benefits
One of the significant benefits of agility is that it is a fantastic opportunity for dogs to get physical exercise. A perfect sport for athletic and high-energy dogs, agility provides a perfect outlet for burning off excess energy. This can help your dog to be more relaxed because their exercise needs are being met. Note agility, especially competition-level agility is high-impact and physically demanding. Before beginning agility training with your dog, talk with your dog’s veterinarian and ask if there are any restrictions or considerations for your dog with agility.
Mental enrichment
Although dog agility is a physically active sport, it’s also a great mental challenge for our dogs. This dynamic sport requires quick thinking on the part of dogs and their handlers which makes this sport a perfect activity for providing your dog with a mentally stimulating challenge. Dogs thrive when they have mental enrichment and stimulation in their lives. A dog who has a job to do is going to feel more fulfilled and may display fewer symptoms of stress, anxiety, and boredom. This can lead to fewer destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, and excess barking.
Confidence building:
Even if you have no interest in competing in dog agility, getting your dog in recreational agility classes and training can support your dog in building their confidence. Agility training can help to bring nervous or shy dogs out of their shell and help them to be more confident in their daily life. For example, many dogs need more certainty or comfort when walking on novel surfaces. This is especially true if they weren’t exposed to these novel surfaces as puppies. Through dog agility, training dogs can become more secure and confident, which can translate to less anxious dogs in all areas of their life.
Increases your physical activity:
Although the dogs are the ones doing the obstacles, dogs know what obstacle they should take next because their handler is running alongside them and guiding them through the course. Agility is an active sport not just for dogs but also for people. You don’t have to run as fast as your dog, but you will be guiding your dog around the course. An added side benefit of agility is not only is agility great physical exercise for your dog, but it can also help people to be more active as well. If you want to add regular exercise to your routine, dog agility may be the right sport to explore with your dog.
Bond as teammates:
Training in any sport, including dog agility, is an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with your dog. Training in a fun sport like dog agility also helps you and your dog to develop a shared language and build a stronger bond with each other. Agility is not something you simply teach your dog; it’s an activity you do together, turning you into equal teammates. This sport provides a fun and fast-paced opportunity to practice keeping your dog engaged with you and interested in what you are doing together. The training you do and the relationship you build on the agility course can help to foster and deepen the relationship that you have with your dog in all areas of your life together.
