LIMITED EDITION! Affordable Agility found some spring-colored PVC for our Easter Sale – Pink, Purple, Yellow, and Green! Make your course colorful and fun for spring practice and enjoyment all year ‘round! Make your course all bright and beautiful this spring. 
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05Apr
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27Mar
A dog and a teeter are a wonderful thing. I love seeing a dog who enjoys teeters run a course – they pounce the obstacle with so much energy and enthusiasm. Make sure your dog is well-acquainted with this common obstacle to keep up to speed on courses. -
21Mar
Obesity can be a problem for many dogs, especially in the spring when winter weight is still hanging on for dear life. Agility can be a great solution for both handler and dog to get in shape, but it’s best to remember that the weight didn’t appear in a day and won’t go away in a day, as well as realizing that it’s important to be careful with your tubby pooch. Agility puts more stress on their joints than a lighter dog, so start your equipment low until the weight is off and then turn it up!Agility is definitely a sport for your dog, and keeping up an exercise regimen outside the course is important for good performance health. Use conditioning obstacles like cavalettis and ladders to tone muscles and build body awareness, and ‘cross train’ by going hiking and walking!
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09Mar
Cavalettis are step-obstacles. You should use a row of at least four (preferably more) cavalettis that are at the right height for your dog. Cavalettis should be set about a stride apart, and come to your dogs’ hock. The idea is to walk over the obstacles, not jump. Think of how horses prance in a show, or how football players run through steps, lifting their knees – that is the motion your are going for with your dog.Set up the cavaletti row or circle, and coax your dog through. Some dogs take to it naturally, and some don’t. Be sure to reward your dog and keep it positive! At the end of the row, reward, turn around and go back. If you hear your dogs’ feet ‘ticking’ on the bars, the spacing may be off, or they may be too high. Space them differently for walk and trot so your dog picks up their feet as they pick up speed.
Make sure you stop while your dog still has energy, and is having fun. This gets your dogs’ muscles toned and solid, much like high repetition, low weight works on a human. If your dog is in good shape, they are less likely to be injured on-course, and if they are injured, are more likely to heal quickly.
Tags: agility training
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07Feb
Do you have a dog that ‘pops out’ between poles? You can resolve this training problem by using weave wires and retraining your dog. Weave wires teach the dog to remain within the path through the end of the weaves. If at any time your dog starts to ‘pop out’ again, bring back the wires! I like this style of weaving because it keeps frustration out of the weaves – it takes repetition, but sets the dog up for continued success and rewards.
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