All4Paws - Positive dog training and agility for all
21/02/2025
How to Choose the Right Agility Trainer!
So there's lots of good advice out there about how to choose a good dog trainer or behaviourist, but what about agility?
So, if I were looking for an agility trainer, even just for a pet dog for fun, this is what I would be looking for.
🐾 Trainer to be experienced and have trained a dog to a competitive standard.
🐾 Methods used to train must use positive reinforcement and should be the same used regardless of the aim of just training for fun or wanting to compete. You might be surprised at the number of people who get the bug when their dog does well and if you've been taught incorrectly or picked up bad habits, it's much harder to retrain than it is to do it properly from the start. Plus it's safer.
🐾 Know how to train good foundations off equipment, using flatwork and teach beneficial skills that can be taught at home without equipment.
🐾 Understand the importance of a correct warm up and cool down.
🐾 Instructors need to be teaching people good handling skills, it's not just about the dog.
🐾 Equipment must be to Kennel Club standard and in good condition. Tunnels need to be secured correctly using either appropriate pegged straps or sandbags. Contact equipment (dog walk, a-frame and seesaw) should all have a non slip rubber surface.
🐾 Instructor should be experienced in setting courses in a safe manner, with the correct amount of space and correct angles between obstacles.
🐾 Training must be off lead, working on leads and lines on agility equipment is a huge safety hazard with risk of getting caught. Apart from the risk injury, it can also dent their confidence if this happens.
🐾 Class numbers should be appropriate to the amount of equipment available and number of trainers. Ideally a maximum of six in a group for an hour's lesson.
🐾 Finally cost, I wouldn't be expecting to pay more than £15 an hour for a group class, with exception of training with an instructor who has competed at top level or maybe in an indoor facility.
🐾 Now you may think, oh I just want to do this for fun, surely a lot of that doesn't matter. But it's incredibly easy for injuries to happen if safety standards and training methods are not up to scratch, and this could put your dog out of action for some time and cost you in vets bills.
🐾 Just because it's done correctly doesn't mean it won't be fun!
If you've any agility related questions please feel free to ask 😊🐾
