Shetland Sheepdog Training for an Agile Sheltie

Looking for more ways to to give your Shetland Sheepdog a workout? A choice that you cannot pass up is agility training. Like all herding breeds, Shelties are comfortable with and score high in agility given their intelligence, speed, and dexterity. And its really obvious that training for agility trials is one of the best ways for you and your pet to bond and exercise together, too! Indeed, through consistent shetland sheepdog training, you will soon notice how the dog is more alert to your day to day commands.

If you think you are still new to what agility training or competition can offer, you may want to check first with an AKC branch if there is an agility or sheltie club in your area. These clubs are excellent sources of training seminars, novice competitions, and general advice and support. These clubs have their own specific rules about training and the like, so take time to go over these materials.

The actual agility course has many basic obstacles which change from competition to competition. These obstacles include A-frames, hurdles, the dog walk, seesaws, cloth tunnels, plus other obstacles determined by club, region and ability. Proficiency and fastest time are the benchmarks of the performance of the dog. This means dogs are ranked according to their completion of the course, together with their mastery of a given obstacle. The owner, as the dog's handler, will run alongside the dog in the course while giving directions.

If you are still green when it comes to the trials, it's easy to feel intimidated by the other well-established competitors, but its good to recall that all the dogs and owners around you started out from your level, too! You have many novice competitions to choose from, and you will also learn much from watching and studying the strategies and methods of other contest participants. As your dog grows in skill and your handling gets surer, try encouraging him to more obstacles, different courses and different levels of competing.

The smartness and sportive spirit of the sheltie will ask the responsible dog owner to prepare stimulation for the dog on a daily basis. The best possible answer to this is training for and competing in agility trials. This way, a better knowledge of the dog is established, trainability is enhanced, and owner and dog get plenty of exercise. It's a big deal for the sheltie that he pleases his or her owner, so you may find shetland sheepdog training more smooth flowing than you expected. In fact, prepare to get hooked on the training the moment you and your dog hurdle the initial obstacles!

Richard Cussons wants all shelties to be agile. Discover tips on shetland sheepdog training for an agile sheltie at sheltiesavvy.com.