Throughout training your pup to run an obstacle course, you will need to teach him simple commands such as 'up', 'through', 'weave', and 'round'. Take your pick, but be sure to use a single command for each activity. Mixing up the commands or using different ones each time will only confuse your pup and make the training go that much harder.
“Sit!”:
Training your German Shepherd should start as soon as you take them home. If you’re getting your puppy from a breeder, this would be around 8 to 12 weeks old. As puppies, German Shepherds are very impressionable. They learn rather quickly and have not yet picked up bad behaviors that can disrupt training.
Coax your dog through the course using small treats as rewards, and make sure to offer some free play to run around unstructured after you've put some practice time in together. Above all, make sure that your dog is having fun while doing the activities on the obstacle course.
The Bottom Line. You can start agility flatwork and tunnel training with a puppy as young as 8 weeks old. However, until your dog can complete a full course he should be at least 12-18 months of age. Agility is a high-impact sport.
Teaching an old dog new tricks is possible, but won't happen overnight. Research says it takes up to 4 weeks for an old dog to learn new things, so patience cannot be over stressed.
Backyard obstacle courses are a great way to build trust with your dog, provide exercise, and prevent boredom.
Puppies shouldn't be asked to jump in extreme or competitive situations until they're at least 12-15 months old (or older for giant/slow-maturing breeds). This is because puppy growth plates aren't closed until at least 12 months of age and jumping on open growth plates can cause long term damage.
Yes, neutered dogs can compete in agility. In fact, in AKC agility it is a requirement that non-purebred dogs are neutered or spayed in order to enter an event. In other venues such as USDAA, competitors are allowed to show intact dogs of any breed or mix.
From 3 to 9 Months GSDs excel at obedience, so begin teaching your puppy basic commands like sit, down, and stay, as well as loose-leash walking, from an early age.
Tricks to Teach your DogTricks help your dog to 'learn how to learn'. If your dog can learn tricks, then he can learn obedience and good manners. ... Shake Hands. Start by having your dog sit. ... Crawl. Start by having your dog lie down. ... Play Dead. Have your dog lay down on his tummy. ... Roll Over. ... Go Back. ... Take a Bow. ... Wave.
2:1912:13How to Train a German Shepherd Puppy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBuild a healthy relationship with your German Shepherd. The first rule which your German ShepherdMoreBuild a healthy relationship with your German Shepherd. The first rule which your German Shepherd puppy need to learn after you're brought him home is to urinate in a specific place.
We advise puppy owners to carry their puppies up and down stairs for at least the first 6 months, but this depends a lot on the breed and size of a puppy. At some stage, puppies do need to learn how to negotiate stairs, but in a safe and controlled way.
9:4720:14DIY Agility Obstacles for Under $100 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPiece. You want eight pieces cut at 12 inches. You want six of these little tea couplers or teaMorePiece. You want eight pieces cut at 12 inches. You want six of these little tea couplers or tea joints. We want six well we want five pieces cut at five inches long and then you want two pieces.
The Best Dog Breeds For AgilityBorder Collie. There's a lot of reasons that these whip-smart workhorses dominate on the agility course. ... Australian Shepherds. ... Shetland Sheepdog. ... Golden Retriever. ... Jack Russell Terrier. ... Cocker Spaniel. ... Papillon. ... Whippet.More items...