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Basic Obedience
You and your dog will have more fun if you've first established some basic obedience skills first. Your dog should be able to follow instructions and perform such basic tasks as sit, stay for a period of time, etc. If your dog doesn't know the basic commands it is a good idea to enrol in a dog obedience class.
Remember, that like most things, mastering dog agility obstacles requires a lot of practice and hard work, but will be well worth the effort once learned.
Initially, you can slowly guide your dog through the obstacles while on a lead. you can also help your dog manouevre the obstacles with training treats or titbits and lots of praise. Start slow and have patience.
Training Tips to using the obstacles contained in your Kyjen Dog Agility Starter Kit:
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Pause Box
Game Objective: to stay in the box without moving for 5 seconds
Difficulty Level: EASY
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Training: Have your dog sit or lay and then stay still while fully inside the box. Practice with treats and consistent voice commands. Build the length of time your dog sits until the full five seconds is achieved Then practice without treats.
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Open Tunnel
Game Objective: your dog runs through the tunnel unaided as fast as they can
Difficulty level: MODERATE
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Training: Start with your dogs lead attached and feed it through the end of the tunnel. Ask your dog to sit and stay whist you go to the other end. Hold the lead and give your dog a voice command such as 'come' and give them a treat when they reach you. The tunnel can be shortened in length if necessary to begin with. Next use the command and treat but no lead. Then gradually build up the distance away from and the speed at which your dog runs through the tunnel.
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High Jump
Game Objective: your dog must jump over the cross bar without knocking it off.
Difficulty level: HARD
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Training: Start with the bar low and gradually increase the height of the jump. With your dog on their lead, ask them to sit on one side of the bar, then go to the other and use a voice command such as 'over'. Give your dog praise and a treat when they jump over the bar. Slowly increase trhe height whilst your dog is on a lead.
Next remove the lead, but give the same command and reward. Slowly increase the distance, speed and height at which you dog jumps over the high jump.
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Weave Poles
Game Objective: to test your dogs precision. Your dog must start at one end and weave back and forth while hugging the centre line.
Difficulty level: HARDEST
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Training:
Start with your dog on their lead and lead them through the poles keeping the lead perpendicular to the ground. Change direction with a short tug on the lead and a treat if necessary. Eventually repeat the above without the lead. Thsi takes quite a bit of practice. |
| NOTE: Please be aware that young puppies and dogs have a shorter attention span and tire more easily than older more mature dogs. |
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