Sport Spotlight: Agility

April 03, 2020 2 min read

Dog Agility is a competitive sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. The teams that run the cleanest (without mistakes) and are the fastest win. Almost all dog breeds can be trained to do agility and most of them thrive at it and love it. Agility competitions are held all over the world! Most of them are in America, England, and Australia. A growing sport in the United States with over 1 million entries to the AKC’s Agility Program each year. Dogs are intelligent creatures, and they love a challenge, and it is a great way to create an even deeper connection between you and your dog. Some people do agility training just for fun, while others enjoy competing in agility trials. Dogs usually start competing in agility between the ages of 1 and 2. You can start training your dog before they're of age to compete. Begin by working on basic commands like sit, stay, lay-down. Agility training can be great for high energy dogs and wonderful for their health. It works part of the brain that is associated with getting tasks done which makes them feel like they’ve done something productive.

Agility training for dogs is an obstacle course that consists of:

  1. Weave Poles
  2. Dog walk
  3. Standard Jumps
  4. Pause Table
  5. Tunnel
  6. Tire Jump
  7. Teeter-board

Qualifications to compete:

  1. Dogs must be 15 months or older.
  2. Registered with the American Kennel Club or listed with the AKC Indefinite Listing Privilege Program. Mixed Breeds can be registered through the Canine Partners Program.
  3. Must be spayed or neutered.
  4. In great health and up to date on vaccines
Agility is a great way to get rid of your dog’s extra energy. Running through a course that involves passing over and through a variety of obstacles will challenge your dog’s mind and body. Involving your dog in agility will help to strengthen his muscles, improve coordination, keep him fit, and increase endurance. A great product to help your dog’s sore muscles and keep them supple and pain free is our Therapeutic Canine Comfort and Care Shirt! The shirt fabric emits far-infrared rays, keeping muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments supple and relaxed. The shirt provides supportive compression for anxiety and comfort. It helps harmonize bodily functions safely and naturally stimulating recovery time, promoting blood circulation, increasing oxygen flow, and ultimately reducing pain and stiffness. It is comfortable to wear during rest or during play. The material is also breathable with wicking qualities making it easy-to-use and even easier to care for. Keep your dog comfortable and on the right track with our line of canine therapeutic products.


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