Canine agility courses are a great way to give your dog regular exercise, train them to be obedient and follow commands, and bond with your pet all at the same time. As agility training gains popularity, it is increasingly easier to find dog agility equipment readily available for home use. Here are some tips to consider when purchasing dog agility equipment.
Instructions
1. Consider the dog you will be training. Dogs face different challenges during agility training and have unique needs depending on their size, age and breed. Measure your dog or know how large they will be at their adult size to help you find agility equipment that will be the right size for their build.
2. Purchase adjustable equipment so that you can increase or decrease the length and level of difficulty of the agility course as your puppy grows or your adult dog ages. Look for jumps with bars that can be raised or lowered and tunnels with removable sections.
3. Opt for portability. Some agility equipment will have bases requiring that they be anchored into the ground, while others can be taken apart and relocated. Portable equipment means less manual labor for you and less wear and tear on your lawn. Having the option of moving pieces around changing the layout of the agility course also provides your dog with an extra challenge.
4. Note total measurements. Unless you have a few acres on which to station your agility course, take into consideration the total dimensions of the agility course you are planning in relation to the overall size of your yard when shopping for agility equipment. Leave plenty of space between the individual stations of the course, room on the side for you to coach your dog and wide areas at the course's start and finish points for your dog to accelerate when beginning their run and slow back down when they have completed the course.
5. Find out how much assembly is required. If you are not particularly handy or you do not want to spend a lot of time assembling a course, look for agility equipment that can be put together with few or no tools or pieces that come already assembled.
6. Consult a veterinarian. Make sure your dog is in good health before beginning any exercise or training program with them. If your dog has certain health problems such as arthritis or hip displaysia (a degenerative bone disease common in some larger breeds), there are some agility stations, like high jumps, that they should avoid. A visit to your veterinarian will help you determine if you need to consider any special needs when purchasing agility equipment for your dog.
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