If your dog is timid around people or other dogs, then agility training can to build confidence in your dog. An agility class is a great place to learn about the sport and how to train your dog. But it may take some time before it is ready from your lap or under the chair.
A timid dog is only ready to learn from inside its comfort zone. So the best place for training is probably the home, where it feels safe and the learning can be done in small increments.
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.
You can find a lot of equipment that is helpful and useful to have at home for dog training. All the equipment recommendations are based on location of training and the available space. Do you e.g. have a large yard with room for 10 obstacles? Or do you only have a small yard, so you have to tear down the equipment before you can setup something else up? Will the training be in the basement or garage; or maybe in the living room?
The equipment has to be safe and sturdy when training a timid dog. A good place to start your agility training is a pause table. A 12″ high pause table (preferable with adjustable legs) is a great starting point for dogs in all sizes. Setup the table in an area that the dog is familiar with. If your dog is the type that barks at everything new, you can leave in the house or yard for a couple of days before using it. Then the dog can inspect and smell it. Remember you need to use baby steps with an insecure dog.
Use treats or your dog’s favorite toy to encourage it to get up on the table. Be patient because it may take more than one lesson. If the dog looses interest, try something new; e.g. place yourself on the table holding the dog. If it is not possible, have it on leash when you are sitting on the table. And only treat it when it comes to you. Never do it, if it is pulling away.
When the dog gets more experienced, you might want the dog to jump on the table using a cue word like Table, stay on the table as you back away with the word Stay and Come to you, when you call. You should extend the distance slowly, not pushing the dog to hard.
If you follow the above instructions, you can introduce new obstacles that can give your dog a new success. When it success a new piece of equipment, its confidence will grow.
Martin Elmer is the editor of Hundefan – a website about hundeartikler. Here you can also read about hundelem.
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