Agility Training

[DIPANNITA DAS]

Hello again,

I want to know if you have any links or sections on how to engage your dog in playing. I have a GSD, if you have an agility training section I will be happy to go thru it if you can point me. Idea is rt. now I play fetch with my dog in my backyard. I want to include some additional games that I can play with him, to engage him, exhausts him something simple DIY type play cum training. Thank you in advance 

[Adrienne Farricelli]

There are several sections that cover various forms of play in general under the brain training section. Here are some ( please note that some require some preliminary training skills). 

Treasure hunt: 

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/elementary/the-treasure-hunt/ 

Jazz up and settle:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/high-school/jazz-up-and-settle-down/

Hot and Cold:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/university/hot-and-cold/

Hide and seek:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/university/hide-and-seek/

Ball pit game:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/elementary/the-ball-pit-game/

Muffin game:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/elementary/the-muffin-game/

Magic Carpet:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/college/the-magic-carpet/

More here (under brain training):

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/

I don't have an agility training section. With agility, there are several things to be aware of, such as waiting for a dog's growth plates to close which varies from one breed and another. So it would be important checking first with a vet on the ideal age to get started, I think in German  shepherds growth plates close anywhere between 14 to 18 months, but of course this varies so it's best to check with your vet. 

However, this doesn't mean you can't starting introducing some agility equipment for them to explore. I love to introduce pups and young dogs to agility tunnels so to help their confidence and give them something fun to do.

Here is how I have used an agility tunnel to help an anxious dog: https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/case-studies/01-sadie-replacement-behavior/

[DIPANNITA DAS]

Thanks once again.

[JMFS]

Amazon has some relatively economically priced beginner sets.  Without knowing the age of your GSD, though, I'll throw this caution out there: until 18 months their growth plates aren't fully able to handle the load and if they land wrong the soft tissue can get damaged.  For smaller dogs it might be more like 12 months, but our bigger dogs are late bloomers.  🙂  The tunnels and weaving poles are still a-okay to use, I'd just avoid any jumping exercises until mature.

There was a gal at the dog park once who had two GSDs and she would put them in a sit stay while she walked off into the wooded section (this dog park was Awesome).  She'd hide two balls, one for each dog.  Then she'd walk back and release them to find.  It was fun to watch them proudly bounding back to her with their prizes.  Meanwhile, there was my dog, head under water, fishing out rocks . . . lol.  When he was a puppy I had a plastic pool for him and I'd put sinkable toys in there for him to pull out.  I never did find a good use for his skill (I didn't know Adrienne, yet!), but he sure enjoyed it.

This is the course I bought:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TBQ4Z2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Most of them are around $60 for the poles, ring, and tunnel.  If you have anyone crafty you could get them to build a ramp (I don't know what type of space you have available).  In fact . . . I think I need my husband to do that with our spare lumber - glad you asked this question!  😆

[DIPANNITA DAS]

Than you so much for sharing 🙂