Kickstarting Agility Training for Your Canine Companion

Jan 6
04:07

2024

Brad Carlson

Brad Carlson

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Agility training for your puppy can commence right away. Introducing your young canine to a range of obstacles will not only boost their confidence but also make their future agility training sessions more enjoyable.

You might be wondering,Kickstarting Agility Training for Your Canine Companion Articles "When is the right time to start agility training with my new puppy?" The answer is simple - right now! Puppies are always learning, so every interaction with your pup can be an opportunity to play and socialize with agility in mind.

The Importance of Controlling Your Puppy's Environment

Remember, if you can manage your puppy's environment, you can effectively teach and train the behaviors you desire. If left to their own devices, even in a fenced yard, puppies will learn and develop behaviors that we may later want or need to eliminate.

Introducing Your Puppy to Different Surfaces

One of the initial behaviors we teach our pups is "Box" or "Table". This behavior is a precursor to the agility pause table. Entice your pup onto a low pause table and reward them with a treat. You can name the pause table anything you like. If I were to start over, I would name the pause table "Box" instead of "Table" to avoid confusion with other "T" words on the agility course, such as tunnel, tire, and teeter.

Teach your pup to "Box", which means to climb onto a variety of obstacles. In our training field, we use "Box" for upside-down kennel tops, the bottoms of barrels turned upside down, bird crates, and more. Be inventive with your pup, encouraging them to climb onto all kinds of surfaces, exposing them to different shapes, sizes, and textures. Once your pup is comfortable getting up on a "Box", you can start asking them to sit on the box as well.

Using Buja Boards for Motion Training

Buja boards, typically made from plywood and measuring 36" x 36", can be used for motion training. The underside of the board has a 2x4 box where a partially deflated ball is placed, allowing the Buja board to rock gently. Initially, reward your pup for getting one paw on the board, then reward for two feet and eventually all four. The speed at which your pup becomes comfortable on the Buja Board will depend on their temperament.

Starting Perch Training with Young Pups

Perch training can also be initiated with young pups. The Perch is generally a 1'x1' wood surface that is raised by 2"x4"'s underneath, making it about four inches in height. The Perch helps teach pups rear-end awareness. Again, reward your pup for getting one front paw on the perch and then the other. Perch training is mostly used with just the front paws on the Perch.

These are just a few behaviors you can teach your young pup. Exposure to a variety of surfaces and heights will help your pup build confidence in their future agility training. For more information on puppy training, check out American Kennel Club's guide or The Spruce Pets' tips.