If you're looking for a fun way to wear off a bit of your dog's excess energy or occupy his/her busy/inquisitive mind, then agility is for you. Even if you're just looking for a fun way to spend time with your best friend, agility can be the answer. This exciting dog sport is just about the most fun you can have with your dog.
Agility provides dogs with an excellent outlet for both physical and mental energy. This sport not only allows dogs structured exercise, but also allows them to flourish mentally. Agility builds confidence, attention, stability and ability. Through owner's guidance, dogs learn to traverse a maze of obstacles with precision and speed. Running against the clock, dogs learn to zoom through tunnels and chutes, jump through tires, balance atop a narrow dog walk four feet above the ground, weave through a series of upright poles, negotiate a see saw, hurdle a variety of challenging jumps and climb a six-foot high A-frame.
Whether your dog is young or older, small or large, shy or bold, purebred or mixed, agility is a sport to can enjoy together. Dog owners are attracted to agility for a number of reasons. Most just want to spend quality time with their best friend. But others are attracted to the competition and progress to the stage of competing in trials for prizes. Yet others join to help their dogs work through problem behaviors, such as fear or lack of attention.
Agility training empowers. Shy or fearful dogs are quickly empowered by their own ability to negotiate and conquer the many challenges this sport has to offer them. Dogs quickly exchange their concerns for confidence. Attention is another bonus in agility. Dogs learn to stay focused not only to properly negotiate a course, but also to gain guidance and instruction from their owners, thus receiving the payoff (which, in many cases is a fun toy or lots of cuddling from you!).
Whether you are interested in serious competition or just plain fun, agility offers precious play between you and your dog. Dogs and owners that play together not only stay together but cement a special bond of trust, attention and willingness.