Agility

Agility.  This fun-filled activity is enjoyed by many dog owners and cool canines.  Apart from all the fun, there are other benefits to agility that you may not have considered.

First of all, any "team" activity between you and your dog helps to create a better canine-owner bond.  It establishes/improves your pet’s trust and confidence in you as his friend and owner.  It improves the communication between the pet and the pet owner, and also sharpens your dog’s mind and teaches him to think.

Agility helps to create a smarter dog as he learns to follow basic obedience instructions.  Agility training helps to keep your dog vigorous and alert, and increases his problem-solving skills with obstacle-training and problem-solving inherent in the sport of agility.

Agility helps keep your dog healthy.  It improves your dog’s coordination, improves balance and flexibility,  strengthens and tones muscles and keeps your pet in tip-top shape. Think of the muscles needed to climb ramps, make jumps, run through tunnels, walk the teeter-tot, etc.

By participating in an active sport such as agility, you will find your dog is probably less inclined toward destructive, boredom-produced activities, which helps maker a calmer, happier dog.

Agility also helps the owners!  As an owner-active sport, agility with help keep you in good shape, too.  It will help build muscle and lose fat.  It increases your flexibility and endurance.

Including it in your daily or weekly activities will surely strengthen your relationship with your dog and provide him with an outlet for his natural energy. 

Arizona is home to several agility, flyball and coursing clubs.  Check out the links on the right side of the page (under "performance") and consider signing up for a course!  Your dog will thank you for it!