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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19Mar
Despite the mild winter throughout most of the United States, it’s still been a big slow-down for my dogs. The warm-to-freezing swings also leave them feeling off, I can tell. I’ve been taking advantage of nice days, and the rotten ones are perfect for working on indoor practice in whatever open area I can scrounge up. Rocker Boards, cavallettis and contact trainers are perfect to work with in limited space and time. This whole week is supposed to be amazing, though! So excited, we can go hiking and work!They’re muddy messes though! I’m fond of them as mudballs, though. How can you resist muddy toes?
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13Mar
Q. Can visually impaired dogs do agility?A. Fully blind dogs can not compete in agility, however, several venues accept dogs who are blind in one eye or have visual impairment. I have a dog, Quick, who is diagnosed with Collie Eye Anomaly – he has serious holes in his vision. He does just fine, since he’s learned to trust me, and also to turn his head to look for the obstacle (or sheep!) Some dogs, however, have what is called Early Take-off Syndrome (for more information, check out Linda Mecklenburg’s site.)
For practicing with your visually impaired dog, I suggest discussing with your vet first, and then your trainer, to come up with effective strategies to work with your dog. Maybe verbal commands would be better, or handling from their seeing side. Does anyone else have a dog with visual issues? how do you work with that?
Tags: dog safety & health
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