3 More Benefits of Dog Agility Training
We have already talked about some of the benefits of dog agility training in our last blog, 3 Benefits of Dog Agility training, but did you know that there are even more ways you and your dog can benefit from this dynamic and engaging sport? Agility training helps to build a strong bond between you and your furry friend, as well as improve their physical and mental health; It also helps to keep them fit and active, and teaches them valuable skills that can be used in other areas of life. With your help, your dog will learn how to jump over barriers, run through tunnels, weave around poles, and navigate different obstacles at varying levels of difficulty; All of these physical and mental challenges can contribute to improved focus and a healthy lifestyle.
With so many positive benefits, you can see why agility is one of the most popular dog sports! Read on to learn more about the ways agility can improve your dog’s life, and yours.
Increased Confidence
Something that you may not think of as being that important for dogs is confidence. But if you have ever seen a nervous, scared, anxious, or fearful dog - you have seen how a lack of confidence can negatively impact a dog; Just imagine how much a strong sense of confidence will benefit your dog! Dogs that participate in agility training become more confident in their skills and abilities as they work with you to explore new objects and unusual surfaces in a new place. Much like people, dogs seem to get a confidence boost from successfully completing challenges, so as you reward your dog for each exercise, you will likely see them approach the next new task with more enthusiasm. As we mentioned before, dogs enjoy many physical benefits from agility including improved coordination and body awareness, which also help contribute to their confidence level. This increased confidence will even transfer over into other parts of your dog’s life, as it can lower anxiety and help them become more at ease in new environments, around new people, or other dogs.
Improved Focus
While the beginning levels of agility training may have you working with your dog primarily on leash, as you progress, the leash will come off and you will have to rely on your dog’s off leash skills to achieve success! Not only will you have to compete with the distractions of the other dogs and humans in class, but the invisible distractions like sounds and smells provide many opportunities for improving focus. With training, your dog will learn to harness their self control and commit to the tasks you are asking them to do. I have seen many dog’s basic skills improve through agility training, from recalls to sit stays to general handler engagement and attention. Agility training can be a powerful way to improve focus, as your dog will be positively reinforced for engaging with you and completing the course - plus they get the added fun of running around a doggie dream playground with their best friend, what could be better than that? Over time, your dog’s improved focus in the agility ring will make ignoring distractions in their day-to-day life much easier too!
Socialization
Aside from all of the physical and mental benefits that dog agility training offers, it is also a great way for dogs and their handlers to socialize. Many agility classes involve multiple handlers and their dogs sharing the same space, providing an opportunity for exposure to new people and dogs. The fun your dog will have during agility training combined with plenty of positive reinforcement may help your dog form positive associations with new people and other dogs. This helps to increase your dog’s confidence around other people and dogs and boosts their sociability. Not only is it great for the dogs, but handlers will have the opportunity to build relationships and friendships as they share experiences with other handlers. Involvement in dog sports can be a wonderful way to get involved in a community of dog owners that share similar interests, and may even result in a new doggy friend or two for your dog!
Overall, dog agility training is a great way to keep both dogs and their handlers physically and mentally fit. It helps to build a strong bond between dog and handler and provides an activity that they can enjoy together. Additionally, it is a great way for dogs and their handlers to meet and socialize with other people and dogs. For these reasons, dog agility training is a wonderful activity for anyone looking to share a fun and rewarding experience with their dog.
So, now you may be asking yourself, is this something my dog and I can really do? The answer is - Yes! Agility has something to offer every dog and handler team. Whether you have championship goals in mind or are just looking to spend quality time with your dog, the potential benefits are the same. For those with a strong competitive spirit, agility trials offer a unique opportunity to challenge your teamwork and agility skills in front of a crowd. At agility trials, the canine athletes are timed for how fast they can successfully complete the courses, but what if competition isn’t your thing? No worries, while agility is a competitive sport, you don’t have to set your sights on competition to reap the rewards. Find a local training facility that offers Agility Foundations classes and get signed up, you and your pup will be glad you did!
