Agility Builds Confidence in Your Dog

Brad Carlson

Is your dog timid around people or other dogs? Is your dog
sensitive to sounds? Agility training can provide the
environment and structure to build confidence in your dog.
Agility classes are a great place for people to learn about the
sport and learn how to train, but the timid dog may take a long
time before he is ready to venture from under your chair or off
your lap.

A timid or shy dog can only learn inside their comfort zone. So,
training must begin where they feel safe and behaviors must be
taught in very small increments. Home will probably be the best
place to train and have learning take place for your dog.

So, how do you train at home? You will need guidelines and
equipment. There is a multitude of websites that can give you
information on agility training. There are also books and videos
that will give details and visual aids and lesson plans for
beginners thru expert levels.

There is a variety of equipment that is useful and helpful to
have at home. Equipment recommendations are based on your
available space and location of training. Do you have a large
yard that will hold 10 obstacles? Do you have a small yard where
you will need setup equipment and then tear down before you can
setup again? Will you be training in your garage or basement, or
as some agility addicts, in your living room.

For the timid dogs make sure your equipment is safe and sturdy.
The pause table is a good place to begin your agility training.
A 12" high pause table, with adjustable legs for later use, is a
good starting place for all size dogs. Remember with your shy
dog, setup your table in an area that is very familiar to your
dog. If your dog barks at anything new, just leave your pause
table in your house or yard for several days, let your dog
inspect and smell it on his own or with a little coaxing, but
don't push to fast, remember baby steps with the insecure dog.
With treats in a dish or his favorite toy placed on the table
encourage your dog to get up on the table. This may take more
than one lesson, be patient. If your timid dog looses interest
in food or toys when you attempt something new, trying holding
him and you sit on the table. If your dog is too big to hold,
have him on leash and you sit on the table. If he backs away
coax him, only treat or reward him when he comes to you, never
when he's pulling back away from you or the table.

Eventually, you want your dog to be able to jump on the table
with your cue word, "Table", "Box", "Kennel", whatever word you
use, Stay on the table as you back away and then Come when you
call. Build your distance slowly so that your dog is not pushed
to soon.

From Pause Table to Contact Trainer is a nice transition for shy
dog. A Contact Trainer comes in different designs. We recommend
a 3-Piece Contact Trainer that has one mini A-frame side, a
Pause Table, and then a mini Dog-walk side. Your dog can Sit on
the table and then be coaxed down the A-frame side or the
Dog-walk side. Just remember with the shy dog, training is done
in increments, slowly and comfortably, with a little push to
stretch him, but not enough to overwhelm him to cause a shutdown.

You can follow the above techniques introducing new obstacles
as your dog is able to succeed. As your dog succeeds on each new
piece of equipment you will see his confidence grow.

About the author:

Brad Carlson is a Dog Trainer at Agility by Carlson. For more
training details, visit our website at
http://www.carlson-agility.com/

About the Author: