A positive agility training method that's fun for you and your dog Designed expressly for dog owners who want the interactive thrill of agility sports without the rigid rules, pressures, and expenses of competition, Having Fun with Agility is a practical, down-to-earth guide to today's most popular canine sport. The seasoned trainer and award-winning writer Margaret Bonham explains proven, positive methods--such as clicker training--that will help your dog perform the kinds of fabulous feats you see at competitions. Whether your pet's a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, a Basset Hound or a mixed breed, Having Fun with Agility will help you and your dog master the basics--and enjoy doing it.

Based on the positive training methods of Ali Canova and Joe Canova, two of the top agility competitors in America, this book will get you and your dog started in agility training. This author makes it easy with her step-by-step approach, footing diagrams and course illustrations, and beautiful full-color ­photographs. The unique method from proven champions strengthens the connection between any dog and his owner, and success is guaranteed for any breed, from miniature poodle to border collie. Every step has a specific drill that improves fitness and shapes behavior. Whether you want to compete on an agility team or simply have fun in your back yard, this is the only guide you'll need for a lifetime of satisfaction.

A positive agility training method that's fun for you and your dog Designed expressly for dog owners who want the interactive thrill of agility sports without the rigid rules, pressures, and expenses of competition, Having Fun with Agility is a practical, down-to-earth guide to today's most popular canine sport. The seasoned trainer and award-winning writer Margaret Bonham explains proven, positive methods--such as clicker training--that will help your dog perform the kinds of fabulous feats you see at competitions. Whether your pet's a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, a Basset Hound or a mixed breed, Having Fun with Agility will help you and your dog master the basics--and enjoy doing it.

This book provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for training your dog to master each agility obstacle with safety, fun, and competitive excellence in mind. It Includes important principles for building a happy and successful working relationship with your dog, as well as a solid foundation for all of your agility training. The focus is placed upon setting high standards from the start so that no retraining will be necessary later down the road.

The fun and easy way to teach a dog new tricks Dog Tricks & Agility For Dummies (previously titled Dog Tricks For Dummies) makes trick and agility training fun for both you and your dog. You will learn to teach simple tricks, like tail wagging or barking on command to more complex tricks like fetching keys, your dog's dinner bowl, or the laundry. This hands-on guide provides the lowdown on the coolest dog tricks and offers expanded coverage on infusing the thrill of agility (whether for fun or competition) into your dog's life. Push a cart or stroller, run an agility course, play Frisbee and fly ball, and put the toys away Navigate all types of agility obstacles big and small, narrow and wide Prepare your dog for canine good citizen certification Determine if your dog can get involved in pet therapy and what's involved (i.e. nursing homes, children's centers, prisons, etc.) Make your own agility obstacles at home and set up a course Officially enter agility trials

Flatwork: Foundation for Agility isn’t about the obstacles; it’s about what happens between the obstacles. Your dog spends more time between the obstacles running with you on the flat than he does performing the obstacles. It’s on the flat, after all, that you set up your dog’s approach to the next obstacle. It’s on the flat where you as handler do most of your job guiding the dog. Performing flatwork successfully requires excellent communication between dog and handler. Flatwork: Foundation for Agility is also about developing a communication system with your dog as you teach him each agility maneuver without the distraction of obstacles. As you follow this training program, you will develop a set of cues and movements that indi¬cate specific behaviors to the dog, and you will become aware of exactly what your body is really “saying” to your dog. Flatwork is your agility foundation, teaching you how to handle and how to make all your body language clear, consistent, coherent, and timely while also teaching your dog how to take direction and stay with you on course.

Would you like to build a better bond with your dog? Make new friends? Travel to new places? Accept new challenges? You can do it all through the sport of agility. Agility blends desire, control training and athletic ability into a rip-roaring good time. All healthy dogs can enjoy agility work, releasing their energy constructively and learning how to be under control even when they're in high spirits. All About Agility explains how to get involved in this exciting canine sport, including training tips for every challenge on the course. Learn how the sport has evolved, how the courses differ in different organizations and what the rules and titles are. Find out what to expect at a competition and how to prepare. Get training tips from the top pros, including: Stuart Mah S. Shane McConnell Harry and Pat Guticz Mike Bond Richard Budny The Revised Edition includes the new AKC Jumpers With Weaves classes, revised USDAA jump heights and all the latest information on the fastest-growing sport in the canine world. "Written in an easily readable, upbeat style, this book has much to offer both the agility novice and the experienced competitor...Chances are you will be tempted to start out as soon as you can with your own agility star." —AKC Gazette