No dog agility training would be complete without learning the weave poles. The weave poles can be one of the hardest dog agility training exercises for a canine to learn. This is because the weave poles require a dog to move in a direction that is not natural to the dog. Other events, like the tunnel, are approached like a dog would go about it in real life. There are a few tips that will make dog training in the weave poles easier.
Consult Experts There are many dog agility training experts to help your dog learn the weave poles. These experts can be found at dog training schools, where you can sign your dog up for classes or for one-on-one dog training. If you do not want to use a dog training school, or just cannot afford a trainer, there are also dog agility training dvds on the market. One such dvd is, World Class Weaves!, ($54.99, www.weave-poles.com). On this dvd, dog training expert Joe Cavano will teach you how to help your dog do weaves with speed, accuracy and independence.
Equipment
Make sure you are using the right equipment when dog agility training. You should be using a leather, nylon or rope lead when dog training. Provide your dog with a leather or webbed buckle collar. You will also need to wear comfortable clothes, as you will be running to.
Equipment Placing When teaching a dog the weave poles, it is important to have your equipment the same size and placement as your dog will encounter in agility competition. Make sure your poles are 3/4 of an inch wide, about three feet tall and spaced 22 inches apart, as per new AKC regulations. You can construct the weave poles yourself or purchase ones that have been made specifically for dog agility training.
Training Time
It is better when dog agility training on the weave poles to train for five minutes at a time. Training daily will help your dog remember the technique more than a once a week intensive training. This will allow for the routine to become a part of your daily dog training regime.
Get the Dog’s Attention Before you start your dog training, make sure you have your dog’s attention. Stoop down and speak softy to your pet, perhaps offer a small treat. As soon as they are focused, you can begin dog training on the weave poles.
Use Treats
Treats are the ultimate motivator when dog training. You can use treats to entice your dog through the poles. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement of what they have accomplished during dog agility training. They will want to continue pleasing you in order to gain their prize.
Use a Toy You may want to start out your dog’s agility training on the weave poles with a favorite toy. The objective is to weave the toy in and out in the direction you want your dog to go. Just remember to keep the toy one pole ahead of your pet. This keeps your dog’s focus on what they need to do ahead and not what you are doing at its side.
Enter to the Left
Always make sure that your teach your dog to enter to the left. All of your dog training will be for naught if you do not teach your dog which way to enter.
Never Go Backwards
When dog agility training on the weave poles, never go backwards. Ever. You do not want to teach any bad habits during dog training. If your dog misses a pole, do not make a big deal out of it. Either keep going cheerfully on or go back to the beginning and start over.
Repetition Once you have gone through the poles once, turn around and do them the other way. (Remembering to enter on your left.) The more constant repetition you have when doing the weave poles, the more likely your dog agility training is going to stick in your pet’s mind. This will help make navigating the weaving poles a habit for you dog.
Change Locations Change the location of your dog training every day, or at least every other day. You want your dog to become familiar and comfortable with the weaving poles, not your view of the back yard. This will help your dog to be more comfortable in dog agility competitions.
Exercise Patience Be extremely patient in your dog training when your dog trying to learn the weave poles. Remember, this is not an activity that your dog is naturally inclined to do. So if your dog training on the weave poles is not going as well as expected, stay calm, and try again another day.
Dog agility training in the weaving poles can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. Your dog will love the attention and praise it receives as it accomplishes another goal in its dog training. So gather all your equipment, harness your patience and have a great time with your dog training.
