Eight reasons to try agility training with your dog—even senior dogs!
One way to keep your senior pet physically and mentally active is through agility training! When you think of canine agility training, you may imagine spry, young dogs dashing through various obstacles at top speeds.
In an agility competition, the dog runs through a timed obstacle course with anywhere from 12 to 18 obstacles to navigate through. During the trial (show or competition), the dog runs the course off-leash, following hand signals, body language and vocal cues to complete the course. Obstacles include tunnels, jumps, weave poles, ramps and see-saws.
Senior dogs can benefit from agility training just as much as young dogs.
While many of these same types of obstacles are used in senior agility courses, modifications are made to keep your senior dog safe while they participate. For example, the senior agility course may have shorter hurdles to jump and fewer obstacles in total. The goal of senior agility courses is to allow your senior dog to get essential mental and physical exercise while preventing injuries.
Even if you don’t want to enter formal competitions, you can try it out just for fun! See if there are dog agility clubs in your community, or create simple training exercises at home and see if you and your pup enjoy it.
8 reasons to try agility training with your dog
Agility training has great benefits for both you and your dog, whether they’re young or senior. Here are some great reasons to give agility a try:
Anyone can compete in agility training. You don’t need to be an athlete or in great physical shape—in fact, one of the added benefits is that agility training can help you get some exercise, too. Start slowly with short walks on a leash, move on to jogs and gradually introduce basic obstacles. Gauge your dog’s ability and reset the activity level as needed.
Just as for people, before you start a new activity with your pet, it’s a good idea to check with your veterinarian. Puppies that have not yet matured should not participate in agility. Your veterinarian may have course modification suggestions for senior dogs with arthritis or other mobility concerns.
Remember, agility isn’t just for the athletes of the dog world. Consider getting your senior pup, your couch potato or your restless bestie up and running with agility training!
