Agility-Learning The
Equipment
Mike & Claudia Clifton
Semper Fi Boxers
Fayetteville, Georgia
Learning how to safely negotiate the agility equipment can be tons of fun for you and your little Bubba. In order to learn the equipment and boost the confidence of you and Bubba, you will be introduced to the equipment slowly, one piece at a time.
In our classes, we encourage you to use lots of praise and treats or toys. We want Bubba to look forward to coming to agility class. We want it to be a special place for both of you.
We teach the single bar jump first. Using a treat and/or praise, we will have you walk little Bubba through the jump with the bar set at it’s lowest level. Over time, as Bubba learns what is expected, we will raise the bar, until he is jumping his regulation height. In AKC Agility, almost all Boxers will run at the 20 or 24-inch jump height. The tire jump and wall jump are taught in a similar manner.
Next is the open tunnel. The open tunnel looks like a big accordion. We will start out with the tunnel compressed to the point where it is about two feet long. With assistance, you will start Bubba into the tunnel and then call him through the tunnel. When he comes out the other side, you WILL give him tons of praise and probably a treat if he wants it.
Each time Bubba goes through the tunnel, we will expand the length of the tunnel another foot or two, until he is running through the entire length of the 15-foot tunnel.
When Bubba is confident with a straight tunnel, we will gradually introduce a curve in the tunnel until he is zipping through the entire “U” shaped tunnel. The collapsed tunnel/chute is taught in the same gradual manner.
The real eye opener for dog and owner both is the dog walk. The dog walk is an elevated 12-inch wide walkway. Why is the dog walk an “eye opener?” Because this is where most dog owners learn that their dog has to learn to USE their back feet in order to get across the dog walk. When on the ground, a dogs back feet just sort of follow the front feet. It doesn’t work that way on the dog walk. The dog must learn to place his back feet on the walkway so that he doesn’t fall off!
We start you off on a very low dog walk, only about a foot off the ground. Still, even a foot off the ground can be scary to a dog. After Bubba becomes confident with the lower practice walk, he will move to the higher, more elevated dog walk. He will be led over slowly and encouraged by your praise and treats.
Each time he successfully completes the dog walk, he gains confidence. As he gains the skill needed, he will be allowed to move over the dog walk faster. But, NEVER faster than you are comfortable with. Safety is always the first concern.
As you can see, learning the agility equipment is a gradual and systematic process. Bubba’s confidence and skill are increased through familiarization and mastery of the equipment.
So, put on your jeans and running shoes, grab little Bubba and go find out what Agility is all about!
Isn’t it time
you and your Boxer had some fun together? Try Agility!
Copyright
2003
Semper
Fi Boxers
Michael
& Claudia Clifton
All
Rights Reserved
Not
to be reprinted or copied in any format without express written approval.