Title - Agility Training for a Border Collie

As a known herding dog, you must know that your Border Collie is typically known to be extremely energetic and athletic. With all these capabilities and pent up energy, it is absolutely crucial that Border Collie owners make it a point to ensure that their dogs get all the exercise that they need. If not, it shouldn’t be a far-out possibility that your Border Collie will soon resort to destructive behavior, all so they can release all that pent up energy that they have inside them. They disdain being unoccupied for long periods of time. As a result, with or without you, they will find a way to entertain themselves through any sort of physical activity.

Another thing that you should know about your Border Collie is that since it is from a breed that produces extremely intelligent dogs, not only are they in need of physical stimulation- they truly appreciate mental stimulation as well. This is one of the reasons why agility training is perfect for Border Collies. Not only will agility training benefit a Border Collie’s health, they actually welcome it, precisely because they enjoy the challenge!

Agility training is considered a sport that involves a handler directing the Border Collie through an obstacle course. The objective is to get through the obstacle course as quickly and as accurately as possible. Typical obstacle courses usually feature jumps, seesaws, weave poles, tunnels, pause boxes, and pause tables. Other times, additional obstacles such as sway bridges and swing planks are even used. However, the ultimate test here is not only of the Border Collie’s skill set but of the relationship between the dog and trainer.

As with the case with any other type of dog training, agility training can begin at an early but reasonable age. You would not want to make the mistake of beginning rigorous training at a time where your Border Collie isn’t strong enough to handle the physical demands. Usually, the recommended age is 18 months. Despite everything, your Border Collie’s health should still be your number one priority. Just to play safe, it always helps to consult a professional in such cases.

Last but not the least, understand that agility training isn’t only done with the intention of having your Collie compete in events. Agility training can most certainly be done simply out of leisure and for your Collie’s overall well-being. All the equipment you need for agility training are sold in pet stores. The bottom line is, agility training can prove to be a rewarding experience for both you and your Border Collie.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com