Dogs are agile little critters, and dog agility is a natural part of your dog's heritage. As a modern dog owner, you probably can't let your dog hunt small, furry animals to let him exercise these skills. Canine agility training can provide a great outlet to get those muscles and instincts working. It also helps burn energy in working and hunting breeds.
Agility Varies by Breed
All dogs can participate in canine agility; however, some dog breeds are more naturally suited to agility training than others. Border Collies tend to dominate agility sports due to their natural drive, speed and easy trainability. Even if you have a giant dog, though, such as an Irish Wolfhound or a Newfoundland, you can still pursue agility with your dog; you'll just have to work a little harder with certain obstacles due to the size of these giant breeds.
Agility Training Comes in Many Forms
If you're talking canine agility, you're probably thinking of the AKC-sponsored sport where dogs run around obstacle courses competing for the fastest time. Canine agility courses typically include such well-known features as weave poles, the A-frame, a dog walk, various jumps and tunnels and sometimes even a teeter-totter. However, you and your dog can participate in agility training in many levels; you don't have to shoot for competition on these obstacle courses.
Many dog training schools offer Introduction to Agility classes, with the option to take more advanced classes if you're interested in pursuing agility competitively. Your agility training could be as informal as teaching your dog to jump on and off rocks when you're out walking, to crawl under a fallen log or to weave around tree trunks. You can give your dog an opportunity to exercise his agility at practically any level, so don't skip dog agility just because you don't want to compete.
How to Start Dog Agility Training
For people new to agility with no experience whatsoever, there are many resources to help you get started. You can find many well-written books to walk you through agility training. However, most people find that they benefit from Introduction to Agility classes that teach some basic techniques that help with training. If you want to compete in agility, you'll definitely want to establish a relationship with a local agility trainer or club that can help you get started.
AKC, NADAC or USDAA: What's it all Mean?
There are three main agility organizations in the United States: the North American Dog Agility Counsel (NADAC), the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Newer on the scene and serving a much more niche audience is the Teacup Dogs Agility Association (TDAA), designed for extremely small dogs.
While each of these organizations shares the same basic approach to canine agility, the rules and events vary by organization. If you're interested in competing in agility, you should take the time to learn about the respective organizations and determine which one you want to join. These groups require registration in order to compete, so if you're not registered with a specific group, you can't compete in their events.
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