Training Tip: Condition Before You Compete
This issue’s training tip is contributed by Jeanne Baker of North Carolina, who has taken her former shelter dog, Abby, to the top heights of agility competition. Abby is a MACH6 and was the number one ranked All American Dog last year! Jeanne shares tips on the importance of keeping ourselves and our competition dogs in shape.
Abby is an 8-year-old Beagle mix that I adopted from a local shelter in 2017 when Abby was around 1 year old. Abby initially started off as a therapy dog but we changed gears in 2019 and started our agility journey. Abby thrived in learning the cues and excelled in all the contact obstacles. As a newbie, she was easy to train with her enthusiasm. At this time, she is my first and only agility dog. From Novice A to MACH6 and an invite to our first AKC Invitational in 2023, we have learned new skills together through trial and error.
As I began Novice A, I realized I had to be physically fit to pursue my agility goal. I became more active in strength training and even took up running again in my 60s. With time, I finally learned blind crosses, distant handling and important verbal cues as well as the importance of connection throughout the course. However, with any goal, there are always disappointments when things don’t go quite as planned.
For me, knocked bars were very frustrating. I finally realized that Abby was not in her best physical shape. She is not an active dog on a daily basis plus she is the only dog in the house. Abby is happy curled up in her bed watching for squirrels out the window and, of course, the Amazon delivery truck. Taking a weekly class and performing at trials on the weekends was not enough exercise for Abby to be in her best shape.
I began hiking off leash with Abby where she can run, smell and chase critters. She loves her hikes especially when a friend joins us with her dog. After about a month, I saw a huge improvement with less knocked bars. Sure, she still knocks a bar but this is usually a result of my handling.
As you pursue your agility journey, remember that conditioning your dog is just as important as practice. Whether it is hiking, swimming, disc or a play date with another dog, whatever activity that suits your lifestyle. Dogs need to be dogs and be able to sniff, smell and chase. It is good for their mental game and makes a happier dog. The benefits of exercise for both the handler and dog are essential for agility success.