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Our Guide to Agility Training for Dogs

Our Guide to Agility Training for Dogs

Updated on January 24, 2023
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get after achieving a goal, something you’ve worked hard to accomplish. For both humans and dogs, the sense of achievement and fostering a healthy competitive spirit can be a challenging and exciting part of life. 

 If you’ve ever seen an obstacle course for dogs, you’ve seen agility training. Agility training for dogs is like Olympic training for the cleverest of canines. If you and your dog are sports lovers, dog agility training might well be your favorite new activity.  

 Agility training for dogs is all about fun—for pet parents and dogs of all sizes, breeds and abilities. You could be winning championships with your pet after training and practicing together. Plus, you’ll form a team bond that gives you both purpose and enjoyment.

Getting Started with Dog Agility Training

At what age should you start agility training? 

To start competing in dog agility training, your dog should be at least 15 months old. Before then, pups 8 weeks and older can begin learning some light, basic exercises that will help tremendously in later agility training. Practicing skills—such as pivoting and heeling—are foundational training actions that aren’t high impact and will set your young one up for agility success.  

Once your puppy is physically mature, its growth plates will have closed, and that’s when you can begin formal dog agility training. Consult your veterinarian to determine if your dog’s growth plates have closed and if they are ready to attempt jumps. Before then, young dogs might hurt themselves trying to jump hurdles too early. Waiting until those growth plates are closed will prevent putting any strain on your young pup’s developing joints.  

Some training clubs include puppy agility foundation classes if you’re eager to get started and your pup is in good physical health. However, knowing the details of your puppy’s health is an important first step before training.  

 What To Know Before Starting Dog Agility Training 

Before beginning dog agility training, you’ll want to master the 7 basic dog commands. These basic obedience cues allow your dog to feel focused, comfortable and under control—ready to learn a fun and exciting new sport.  

 What are the 7 basic dog commands? 

  • Sit 

  • Stay 

  • Down 

  • Come 

  • Off 

  • Heel 

  • No 

You and your dog can learn these basic commands together with Petco’s online and in-store training classes. Before starting agility training for dogs, you should practice off-leash etiquette and socialization with other dogs. Also, it will be helpful to know what motivates your dog before attending agility training courses, whether that’s affection, treats, games, toys or anything else.  

Start slow, be patient and reward achievements—even the smallest wins! Be realistic and don’t take anything too seriously. The most important thing to remember is that dog agility training is for fun. Both you and your pet should find it enjoyable. 

 How do I start my dog in agility training?  

You might have already seen agility videos online or on TV. If you’ve decided it’s something you and your dog want to try and you’re ready to start your dog with agility training, we’ve got some tips for how you can have the best chance of success.  

When your dog is still young and learning basic obedience, there are lots of things you can try at home to get a feel for agility exercises before you invest in dog agility training courses.   

Dog agility training involves running through tunnels, leaping over jumps or hurdles, weaving through poles and balancing on beams. But let’s be clear—your dog isn’t working alone. You’ll be working as a team of two—pet parent and dog. You don’t have to be as fast as your dog. You’ll be acting as director of the team, and your dog will look to you for where to go and what to do.

Dog Agility Training at Home 

There are plenty of methods for practicing agility at home with your dog. First, you’ll want to set up some basic dog agility training equipment. Next, you’ll get started on dog agility training basics.

Basic Dog Agility Training Equipment  

You’re fired up and about to get agile with the proper dog agility training equipment. The most common pieces that come in a dog agility training kit for beginners are tunnels, weave poles and jumps, found in both indoor dog agility kits and outdoor dog agility kits.  

Open tunnels will train your dog to successfully run into the entrance from any angle, running through quickly and exiting on the other side. It’s one of the easiest to train for and the perfect starting point for new learners.  

Weave poles keep your dog focused straight ahead while they weave through a sequence of poles as quickly as they can, staying close to the centerline the whole time. 

Jumps are set up for dogs to leap over a horizontal bar, and some jumps are panels testing the ability to jump across a certain distance, like high-jump and long-jump.  

 Basic Dog Agility Training Moves   

Start with some dog agility training exercises with your new equipment.  

Tunnels are usually relatively easy to teach, especially with a short tunnel where your dog can see through to the other side. Lead your dog to the tunnel opening, pairing that with a “tunnel” cue. Having another person on the other side of the tunnel with treats can help speed up the learning process. You might also throw a few dog treats inside the tunnel, and your dog will quickly learn to make their way through.  

Weave poles can be more challenging to teach, so be patient with it and allow for lots of practice and repetition before expecting your dog to master this skill. Set up the poles at least shoulder-width apart. Lead your dog on a leash through the middle of the poles, weaving in and out to the other side. After a bit of practice, gradually move the poles closer to the centerline, and over time, your dog will learn the bending movement needed for this exercise.  

For jumps, it’s important not to start too high. For small breeds, begin with the bar on the ground. And for large- and medium-sized dogs, placing the jump 1- to 2-inches off the ground is a good starting point. To begin, keep your dog on their dog leash so they can’t go around and avoid the hurdle. Pair this with your “big jump” cue and model the behavior by jumping over it yourself. Give lots of positive reinforcement and treats to reward each achievement and slowly raise the height of the jumps as your pup gains confidence.  

 Finding A Dog Agility Training Class  

If you’re ready to book an agility class for your dog, you can find both private and group sessions with our in-store and online training classes. You can also shop for all the dog training and behavior supplies you need to get ready to start your lessons.

Make a dog agility training plan for you and your dexterous dog, whether that’s an at-home weekly training regimen on a few online sessions with an agility trainer every month.  

Once you’ve mastered dog agility training at home, you can continue the training with sequencing by putting all the obstacles together into a course.

The Benefits of Dog Agility Training for You and Your Dog

Is agility training good for dogs? 

Absolutely. Dog agility training provides great exercise, mental stimulation, creative problem solving, great flexibility and strengthens your parent-dog bond.  

There’s also the social aspect for dogs, giving them the feeling of having a job or a purpose, an enriching part of human life too. Working together with their pet parent builds a strong bond and a deep level of trust and communication.  

High-energy dogs will particularly benefit from dog agility training due to their more demanding mental and physical stimulation needs. It can also keep older dogs in top physical shape, helping them to live a long, healthy life.  

This level of bonding and accomplishment brings benefits to dogs and pet parents. You’ll meet fellow dog parents, which can potentially lead to new friendships. It’s a fun way to get a little exercise with your favorite canine cutie, and you’ll get mental stimulation too! Figuring out courses is just like reading maps, building puzzles, or strategizing games of chess. And spending time with animals and dogs has been shown to reduce stress levels within humans and create emotional well-being for everyone involved.

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