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Puppy Agility Training
You may be asking, "When can I start agility training with my
new puppy?" Puppies are always learning, so every time you are
with your pup you can be playing and socializing with agility in
mind. Always remember, if you can control your puppies
environment, you can teach and train the behaviors you want,
left on their own, even in a fenced yard, puppies will learn and
develop behaviors that later we may want or need to extinguish.
One of the first behaviors we teach our pups is "Table" or
"Box". This behavior transfers to the agility pause table. But
more than that, the table is the center and control point of our
puppy training. We introduce pups and older dogs to the table
set at a 12 inch height. If you have a very small pup you could
use an 8 inch table, but even with bigger dogs we use the 12
inch table and not higher. To begin, lure pup up on a low pause
table, treat him for getting on the table. Once the pup is
comfortable getting up on the table, then lure the pup up to a
sit. You can also lure to a down.
Next you want to work on distance to the table. If you have a
person to help you you can use a white target plate on the
table, take the pup and step back from the table about 3 feet.
Have your helper make a noise to get the pup's attention, and
place a treat on the table. Release your pup to, "Go table." The
pup gets his reward only when getting up on the table. If you
don't have a helper, than place your treat in a covered
container that will be recognized as a treat box for your pup.
Leave the treat container on the table, step away from the table
about 3 feet, face the table and say, "Go Table".
If your pup is very young, you can hold him as you lift him off
the table and move away from the table. If your pup is too big
for you to hold then use a flatbuckle collar and light dragline
for your pup.
Now introduce your jumps to your pup. But you are not going to
use the jump bars yet. First you want your pup to go through or
between the jump uprights. Set a jump about 4 feet away from
your table. Take your pup to the other side of the jump. So you
are lined up pup, jump, then table. You want to get your pups
attention to the treat on the table, either with a helper or a
treat container, release your pup to the table, "Go Table". Let
the pup run ahead of you, but go meet him at the table so that
he can get his treat, praise him then offer him another treat
for sitting on the table.
Progress with adding one extra jump at a time. Spacing the jumps
about 3 feet apart. You are developing a jump chute that will
lead the pup to the table. Remember your goal is to build the
command, "Go" and "Table". You are also teaching the pup to move
out ahead of you, working away from you and getting comfortable
working around tables and jumps. Your pup is getting familiar
running through the jump uprights, but you are not focusing on
having your pup jump.
With all your puppy training, have fun with your pup. Use all
your puppies motivators, praise, toys, and food. It is up to you
to be more interesting to your pup than all the other
distractions out in the yard.
About the author:
Brad Carlson is a dog trainer at Agility by Carlson. For more
training details, visit our website at
http://www.carlson-agility.com/
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