3 Benefits of Dog Agility Training
One of the most popular activities for dog owners and their canine companions is agility training. You have probably seen dog agility before, dogs zooming through an obstacle course at impressive speeds, flying over jumps, zipping through tunnels, all while side-by-side with their handler. Seeing so much joy on the faces of the dogs as they run, may make you wonder, could my dog do that? The answer is probably yes! Agility works for just about every dog, no matter what breed, size, or age they are. When most people think of agility, the first breeds that come to mind are often Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, but really, any dog can be an agility dog, my agility dog is a rescued Pitbull, and she’s a natural!
Whether your dog is a trained professional or just starting out, here are just a few of the benefits of participating in the sport of dog agility.
Physical Fitness
Have you ever taken your dog for a long walk only to arrive home and have them zoom around the house like the walk was just a warm up? Typical neighborhood walks are often not enough to satisfy the physical needs of our dogs. Agility is an excellent form of exercise and can be great for helping your dog release their energy in a safe, fun way, particularly for breeds with high drive and loads of energy. While some dogs may enjoy life as a couch potato, much like people, it is not best for their overall health and wellness to be so sedentary. Providing opportunities for physical exercise is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight and mobility. Agility training can help improve your dog’s overall conditioning as well as resulting in increased strength, balance, flexibility, body awareness, endurance, and coordination. In order to participate safely in agility training, dogs need to maintain a healthy weight and a certain level of physical fitness. A good trainer will provide a strong foundation of skills and make sure that each dog is working at the appropriate level for their physical capabilities.
Mental Stimulation
Not only do dogs need outlets for physical exercise, they also require mental stimulation, especially highly intelligent and driven working breeds! Agility training has mental benefits for both the dog and the handler as it requires them to learn new skills and cues to successfully maneuver through a variety of obstacle courses. It can be a great way to keep your dog’s mind active and challenged as it involves problem-solving and concentration, honing your dog’s focus and control. Since they have to listen to your cues in order to successfully navigate the course, they must concentrate and pay attention, a dog’s version of multi-tasking! This type of mental stimulation can be especially beneficial for hyperactive or easily distracted dogs, as agility training helps to encourage focus and engagement with the handler. It can even be beneficial for older dogs, they may move at a slower pace, but can still benefit from the enrichment to keep them mentally sharp. Providing your dog with mentally engaging activities can also help to reduce behaviors related to boredom like, barking, digging, and destroying stuff around the house. Boredom doesn’t come only from a lack of exercise, dogs who lack a satisfying outlet for their intelligence may be prone to more destructive behaviors, agility training is a great boredom buster!
Bonding
Not only is agility training great for challenging a dog’s physical fitness and mental capabilities, it also helps to strengthen the relationship between the dog and their handler. During training, you will act as your dog’s coach, providing direction, guidance, and encouragement as your dog learns new things and successfully completes tasks. Through training exercises and course work, you will develop a clear line of communication, both physically and verbally, which will allow you to move in sync with each other. Working together as a team will build a greater level of trust, understanding, and confidence in each other, resulting in an almost magical connection.
Bonus
The benefits of agility training for your dog are benefits for you too! Agility helps to improve mental focus and problem solving skills, as the handler is required to memorize sequences, deliver cues with accurate timing, and adjust their handling strategy on the fly to successfully guide their dog through the course. Not only is it a great workout for your dog, there will be some physical activity involved for you as well, agility is a great way to get your steps in! Plus, did we mention how much fun you are going to have? Spending quality time together and enjoying a shared activity is the reason that most of us get dogs in the first place, enhancing your bond through the sport of agility is a bonus!
Dog agility training is a fun way to spend quality time with your dog and enhance your bond with your furry friend, while also providing numerous physical and mental benefits for both of you. So if you’re looking for a rewarding activity that you and your dog can enjoy together, agility training is definitely worth considering. You will both have a great time learning new skills together and your dog will be an agility pro in no time!
