If you have not heard of agility or are just beginning to look into this area, there are many different websites you can visit. I have recently added a new section to the Best of the Web area that highlights several of these sites. If you have any favorites that are not listed, please let me know so I can add them to this area.
Now, back to that first question I posed. Agility is a sport you and your dog participate in that is similar to the events that horses and their riders compete in. To compete, the dog and handler navigate a series of obstacles that include jumps, see-saws, tables, weave poles and several other types. It is meant to be fun for the dog and handler and is a pleasure to watch. I feel one of the best things about agility is that any dog can compete. This is not a sport that requires a certain size or breed. The biggest thing is that your dog must be under control and willing to listen to your verbal commands at all times. There are different height obstacles, depending on the size of the dog, but that evens the score, so to speak. If your dog is well trained, the mixed breed dog has as good a chance as the purebred to take a first place, or score points to increase rankings.
Once again, I go back to training. Our dogs need to be well trained, regardless of breed. To participate in agility, your dog needs to listen to your commands at all times, since the course will change at each competition. Also, this training gives you and your dog the chance to form an even stronger bond. Basic obedience training is where to start, and if you find a training site like I did, agility is used as a "break" in class for the dogs and owners, since it can be fun and gets everyone moving.
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