Coming soon, in the process of looking for land!
Agility Boxers
Dog agility is a competitive sport that tests one’s skills in
training and handling a dog over a timed obstacle course.
Exhibitors race against the clock as they direct their dogs to
jump hurdles, scale ramps, burst through tunnels, traverse
a see-saw and weave through a line of poles in an obstacle
course! With scoring based on faults similar to equestrian
show jumping, dog agility has become an exciting spectator
event.
Most dogs like to run and jump, but agility is more than
that. It is the exhibition of a very strong and highly tuned
relationship between the handler and his or her Boxer.
Any dog with good physical conformation and energy is a
strong candidate for the sport of agility.
Dog agility is a competitive sport that tests one’s skills in
training and handling a dog over a timed obstacle course.
Exhibitors race against the clock as they direct their dogs to
jump hurdles, scale ramps, burst through tunnels, traverse
a see-saw and weave through a line of poles in an obstacle
course! With scoring based on faults similar to equestrian
show jumping, dog agility has become an exciting spectator
event.
Most dogs like to run and jump, but agility is more than
that. It is the exhibition of a very strong and highly tuned
relationship between the handler and his or her Boxer.
Any dog with good physical conformation and energy is a
strong candidate for the sport of agility.
AGILITY ORGANIZATIONS
AKC – American Kennel Club: www.akc.org
NADAC – North American Dog Agility Council: www.nadac.com
USDAA – United States Dog Agility Association: www.usdaa.com
CPE – Canine Performance Events: www.k9cpe.com
UKC – United Kennel Club: www.ukcdogs.com
Why I love Puppy Agility for Boxers?
~Only flatwork training will be used on Boxer P. AKC Puppies~
My interest as a breeder for agility, I feel that agility builds a dog's confidence & obedience.
I would think this activity could be very helpful in preparing a young dog to have the confident, outgoing personality exhibitors want to see in the breed ring. Don't waste valuable time that can be put to excellent use, in getting your wonderful Boxer baby ready to be as successful as possible in later life.
Remember: for success in the ring, TRAIN EARLY AND TRAIN OFTEN should be everyone's motto.
This is important in agility. So, as far as agility using obedience commands: a 5 second wait or stay on the pause box, a sit or a down on the pause box (most competitors use both voice and hand signal on this), and come are the most important and helpful obedience commands.
Another advantage of agility training is that your dogs will be more approachable and responsive! It will strengthen the bond between you and your dog because a dog would not be able to successfully complete an agility course without the help of its owner. This means that your dog will be dependent on your verbal instruction and physical guidance.
Agility for puppies is all about playing together, building a strong relationship and just having fun! When learning agility foundations it’s essential to start with super simple, super basic stuff. Some exercises look like fun games rather than agility, my goal is to introduce:
A-Frame – This is exactly what it sounds like – an A-shaped ramp which requires your dog to run up one side and down the other. (Small version)
Dog Walk – The dog walk is essentially an A-frame that has a flat section in the middle.
Seesaw – A pivoting plank, just like you can see on a playground. Your dog runs up one side, waits for her weight to swing the other side down, and then runs down. Some call this obstacle a teeter-totter.
Crossover – This obstacle (which isn’t used by any of the major organizational bodies anymore) is like a multi-sided dog walk. It consists of several ramps leading to a central platform. To successfully negotiate the obstacle, dogs must ascend and descend via the predetermined ramps without using the others.
Tunnel – A flexible agility tunnel your dog must run through.
Collapsed Tunnel – A collapsed tunnel is like a normal tunnel, except that the frame is removed from the far end. So, your dog will have to run in the open side of the tunnel and then push her way through the opposite side which is caved in.
Pause Table – A raised platform that your dog is required to jump up on and pause for a predetermined length of time before moving on.
*Weave Poles – A series of vertical poles through which your dog must weave like a slalom skier.
*Jump – Jumps are obstacles dogs are required to bound over. They’re typically constructed like a hurdle used in human track and field events.
*Spread Jumps – A jump that requires your dog to clear a predetermined distance and
*Panel Jump – Jumps that utilize a flat panel, rather than a hurdle-like design. Picture a short wall that your dog must jump over.
*Broad Jump – A series of raised platforms your dog must jump over without contacting any part of the obstacle.
*Tire Jump – A vertically mounted tire (or any other torus-shaped object) suspended in a frame. Your dog must jump through the center of the tire.
* Caution: I will not be introducing the puppies to any of the jumps for safety reasons. Very young puppies should not do any jumping. Older puppies should not do more than three or four 6-8" jumps in any practice session. A regulation height A-frame should not be used for puppies. These obstacles are too strenuous. Only flatwork training will be introduced by Boxer P. AKC. *
Flatwork Training
In flatwork, dogs learn to follow the handler’s motion and cues without any obstacles involved. In the beginning, this can be as easy as having your puppy heel next to you. Later on you introduce turns to the left and right as well as speeding up and slowing down. This may sound easy, but if you try it you will find that it is not that simple for your puppy to always stay by your side.
Flatwork training is essentially “just walking”. There is no impact on your dog’s joints and he/she will not risk getting hurt. In fact, you can even do your flatwork training during walks or after a potty break in your backyard.
Many owners starting out in agility are not big fans of flatwork because it can be “boring” and does not involve obstacles. However, the more time you invest into teaching your dog to follow your cues without obstacles, the faster he/she will succeed once you add the obstacles!
Especially fast and athletic dogs often leave their handlers in the dust once obstacles are introduced or become so excited that they cannot listen to their owners anymore.
A good foundation of flatwork will make sure your dog will always pay attention to you!
The exact dimensions and design details of these obstacles vary from one organizational body to the next, and many allow these sizes to be adjusted to suit the size of your dog.
Of course, you can always be creative and design unique obstacles for your pup when they go to their new homes. Just be sure to keep your dog’s safety in mind when doing so.
I am not a professional, I will only be doing an easy fun intro to agility for the puppies once they can show signs of walking, running, and jumping on their own... this will help to start the first stage in their agility/obedience to possible learn for competitions - if you choose to continue on your own! I am mainly choosing to start this fun training to hang with the puppies and get them started on their future.
Any training will be done on one puppy at a time with a leash in my backyard!
Did you know?
High Energy and Very Active, Boxers are strong, quick, busy dogs who need plenty of exercise; they enjoy physical and mental challenges.
Click below for a Puppy Agility PDF Written by Tracy Hendrickson - Sunchase Boxers.
Tracy is a nationally ranked Boxer obedience competitor and has earned over 200 performance titles with her Boxers.
She has taught agility and obedience at her local clubs for over 20 years.
Tracy is a nationally ranked Boxer obedience competitor and has earned over 200 performance titles with her Boxers.
She has taught agility and obedience at her local clubs for over 20 years.
AGILITY COURSE IDEAS!
