While it’s more common to train dogs in basic ways like obedience commands, house training, and basic tricks, not all pet parents consider agility training. Dog agility is a sport where handlers lead dogs through obstacles like tunnels, weave poles, hurdles, pipe tunnels, and tire jumps.
Dog agility training may only seem like a simple obstacle course where your canine can actively participate, but it comes with interesting advantages for you and your furry friend. So let’s discuss what you’ll gain from dog agility training.
Benefits of Agility Training for Dogs
If you’re a proud fur parent of a brainy pup, dog agility is something you should not miss. If you’re planning to engage your pet with agility training, below are five awesome benefits you may expect.
1. Strengthens dog/owner bond
A canine won’t successfully finish an agility course without its owner’s support. This means that your pet dog will depend on your physical guidance and verbal directions throughout the whole course. This will help increase your pet’s trust in you, which will reinforce your bond with them.
2. Develops self-control
Untrained pets will leap and run at any obstacles they find attractive. Some dogs would even be nuts about tunnels, jumps, and seesaws. Others might run everywhere at full speed. However, your pet will learn to establish self-discipline and dedicate to the task you want them to do in agility practices, with or without equipment.
Does your pet have a lung condition that keeps you from involving them in agility training? Taking them to a veterinary internist can help address their condition. A pet internist in Leighton will create a tailored treatment plan for your pet to give them the best chance to recuperate and live a normal healthy life.
3. Burns mental and physical energy
Agility training is excellent for helping canines release energy in an enjoyable and safe manner. In addition, it’s ideal for all dog breeds, especially the ones with high drive and energy, as it allows them to run at their full potential while remaining laser-focused throughout the course. Agility helps canines gain lean muscle, improve their coordination, and reinforce their joints.
As for burning their mental energy, a short agility training session can leave your pet interested and exhausted. Do you suspect fractured or broken bones judging from your canine’s movements following agility training? Take your pet to a vet surgeon immediately to attend to the situation. You may browse the web to learn more about common pet conditions requiring a veterinary surgical procedure.
4. Keeps them physically fit
The amount of practice involved in dog agility training means your dog will develop muscles and strength as they go through obstructions and various challenges. The speed needed to finish the course also means your dog gets a cardiovascular workout, which yields essential benefits. Since agility training involves running, jumping, and crawling, sprains and strains are sometimes inescapable.
Thankfully, pet laser therapy is proven effective for managing sprains and bone fractures and even speeds up recovery. You may take your dog to the nearest vet center that offers pet laser therapy to help them get in shape immediately.
5. Increases self-confidence
As pets continue to excel, practice, and learn agility training, they also establish confidence. Throughout an agility course, you tell your dog they can climb, run, leap, and go through any obstacles. This helps shy dogs conquer their nervous tendencies.