Puppy Agility Pre-school

Puppy Agility Pre-School

(a headstart for the future agility dog)

When I brought Bryce home, he was 16 weeks old. He was too young to start "adult" agility, as it is too stressful on a growing puppy body, yet I wanted to take advantage of the sponge-like mind puppies have at that age. Here are some of the things I did with him - so far, I'm pleased with the results!

Basic Obedience (sit/down/stand, short stays, a good solid recall).
Walk on my left/right side - since he'll need to work on both sides.
Target my hand - useful for giving direction on a course.
Get-out - hand signal and throw a toy.
Children's toy tunnel - Can find these in toy stores for about $20.
Collapsed tunnel - Box with both ends open and a sheet draped over it.
Rear-end awareness - Most dogs don't realize their back end is attached to the front! I had him walking over and through obstacles such as a baby gate flat on the ground, jump bars, etc. and used a clicker to reinforce his using his back end.
Walk a board supported by 2 books - prepares them for the dog walk.
Walk a board on top of a 1x2 - prepares them for the tipping motion of the seesaw. Try a pencil instead of a 1x2 for a more sensitive dog.
Contacts - Place one end of the board on something so it becomes a ramp. Don't make it too steep! Place puppy at the end, 2 feet on, 2 feet off and reinforce. Then place the puppy an inch higher, encourage him to move down, reinforce. Gradually work up the ramp. You can also teach this at the bottom of a flight of stairs.
Jumpless jump training - Set up a jump with the bar on the ground. Teaches them to go between the standards. You can do all sorts of work calling around either side, sending out, etc. without stressing young shoulders.

Good luck!

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