Dog Agility Beginner & Getting Started Articles
Here is my hand picked collection of articles geared toward helping you and your dog get started in dog agility. Scroll through to find the resource for you!
29 Posts Tagged With "starting"
Getting Started in Snooker - Video
18 Apr 2025
Learn everything you need to confidently enter your first dog agility Snooker run! In this video presentation with Stephanie Theis of k9nut.com, we cover the terminology, rules, planning strategies, and tips for running a successful Snooker course.
Dynamic Dog Agility Handler Warm Up - Video
12 Feb 2025
You know you and your dog need to be warmed up before you get in the ring to help avoid injury and to perform at your best. Right? But, maybe you don't know where to start. Here is a video and PDF created by Chris Kerton of Karma Fitness outlining a dynamic warm up routine specifically designed for dog agility handlers!
Use NFC/Mulligans for New Environments/Equipment in Competition - Video
17 Aug 2024
Use NFC/FEO and mulligan runs to acclimate your dogs to new equipment, flooring, and other environmental factors. It was the best $20 I've spent!
(Re)Training Weaves with Guides and 2x2s
18 Jun 2023
In this blog post, I'll explain how to train a dog to weave using 2x2s combined with weave guides, whether they have previous experience or are new to weaving.
Around The Clock/Around The World Training
06 Jun 2020
"Around the clock" or "around the world" training is an approach for systematically training and proofing the dog (and handler's) ability…
Dispel the Dementors
02 Mar 2016
Today's Dog Agility Blog Action Day on the subject of "FUN" got me thinking about what makes training and trialing agility fun for me. For…
Just DO Agility!
03 Jun 2015
I sometimes get questions from novice handlers asking about preparing for competition and especially about getting stressed out at…
The Connection Between Threadles and Back Sides
09 Sep 2014
Near the end of a recent International Handling In Action seminar I threw together a quick exercise to work on Threadles and…
The Power of Recall to Side/Heel - Video
29 Aug 2014
Training a Recall to Side or Recall to Heel is an important foundation agility skill that is often overlooked or brushed past when starting…
Puppy Agility: Connection Comes First
05 Mar 2014
Many performance dog owners want to start "working on agility skills" immediately with their new puppies. Some have the goal of having that…
Remembering Courses and Conquering Missed Walk Throughs
04 Dec 2013
Just a few weeks ago I arrived at a local USDAA trial thinking we wouldn't be running for at least an hour and as I walked in to the…
If I Knew Then... Proactive Handling
07 Mar 2012
For today's Dog Agility Blog Event Day : "If I knew then what I know now" I want to share the most important agility handling concept I…
Jump Wrap Handling - With Video
11 Apr 2011
The Jump Wrap is a very common handling maneuver where the goal is to have the dog collect as they approach the jump so that they can turn…
Make the Second Obstacle Free
11 Feb 2010
This is a tip that is obvious but is often overlooked by agility handlers. In fact I see handlers who would benefit from this tip at every…
Mental Aspects of Front and Rear Crosses
26 Jul 2009
After discussions on the challenges of timing crosses with some students I wanted to pass along some thoughts about Front and Rear…
Post Run Note Taking
14 Feb 2009
At a recent trial I was talking with agility pal and local trainer Ashlee Trotter after her run and was intrigued by her after run note…
Serpentine Handling Techniques
15 Feb 2008
The Serpentine is a common obstacle sequence and there are many ways to handle it. I'll present the most common approaches and I've…
The Benefits of Reversing Course
26 Dec 2007
There was a discussion of Flatwork on the I replied to the trainer that one way that helps handlers and dogs break out of their handed…
Learning the Collapsed Tunnel/Chute
04 Jul 2007
I saw some good posts on the Agile Teach email list about teaching the Chute . So I thought I'd jot down my approach and some other's…
Handling Confusion
08 Jun 2007
The other day I was reminded of some tips I've learned for dealing with those times when we forget where we are going on course or it is our…
Reading Course Maps
19 Mar 2007
While working on another project I created a legend for the symbols used on an agility course map. So I decided to post it here for folks…
Learning the Rear Cross
17 Aug 2006
I walk you through learning the footwork for a rear cross and demonstrate with pictures and video clips.
Learning the Outside Arm Turn
09 Aug 2006
The Outside Arm Turn can be used to initiate turning your dog during a Rear Cross . It is effectively a partial "spin" cue. In itself this…
Learning the Hand Target
17 Jun 2006
Teaching your dog to target your hand with their nose is a very valuable behavior that can be used to train other behaviors. It helps focus…
One Jump Drills
08 Mar 2006
I've been asked by fellow agility enthusiasts for handling drills that don't need a whole backyard of agility equipment. So I put together…
Learning the Post Turn
03 Feb 2006
The Post Turn is one of the basic agility handling manuevers. It is an extension of the obedience healing we all learned in basic dog…
Learning the Front Cross - Video
04 Apr 2005
I walk you through learning the footwork for a front cross and demonstrate with pictures and video clips.
Using the Handler Line - Front/Rear/Blind Cross Line
03 Nov 2004
After reading my Handler Line- Front/Rear/Blind Cross Line definition a reader sent in a jump sequence asking "How would I apply the…
Handler Line - Front/Rear/Blind Cross Line
28 Oct 2004
The Handler Line, Handling Line, Front Cross Line, Rear Cross Line, or Blind Cross Line is an important concept that all Agility handlers…
