Are you looking to improve your dog agility handling skills? There are a number of amazing dog agility handling moves that you can learn and use to increase your dog’s agility and performance. With the right moves, you can take your dog’s agility to the next level and have a blast while doing it. We will discuss some of the best dog agility handling moves that you can use to help your pup become an agility champion.
What are Dog Agility Handling Moves?
Dog agility handling moves are techniques used by handlers to guide their dogs through an obstacle course. These moves include the reverse serpentine, V-shape weave, blind cross, and backside turn. As a handler, you must learn these moves well in order to successfully maneuver your dog during the agility competition.
The reverse serpentine allows the handler to direct their dog in an “S” pattern. This move is useful for steering the dog around obstacles and tight turns.
The V-shape weave is a move that allows the handler to create a weaving pattern between two poles. The handler must be constantly in motion, guiding their dog as they weave back and forth between the poles.
The blind cross is a move that requires the dog to switch sides under the handler’s command. It can be used to quickly switch the dog’s direction and avoid obstacles.
The backside turn is a move that requires the handler to stay in one spot while their dog circles around them. This move is beneficial for separating the dog from the handler, which can be useful when navigating tight turns and long jumps. By learning and mastering these moves, handlers can ensure that they and their dogs have a successful agility performance.
Best Dog Agility Handling Moves
When it comes to teaching your dog agility, there are a few key moves you should focus on. The reverse serpentine, V-shape weave, blind cross and backside turn all make great starting points.
Not only are they easy to teach, but they will give your pup the foundation they need to learn more complex moves. The reverse serpentine is a good move to start with as it allows you to practice agility while keeping your pup focused on you. To do it, start with your pup moving in a straight line, then have them make a U-turn and move in the opposite direction.
It’s important to keep your pup’s attention during this move, as it requires concentration and focus. The V-shape weave is also a great move for teaching agility.
Have your pup move around obstacles in a V-shape, weaving back and forth as they go.
This move is great for teaching your pup to stay focused on you despite the distractions around them. The blind cross is another good move that helps teach your pup to do agility without being able to see you clearly. Have your pup move around an obstacle, then turn and come back towards you as if you weren’t there.
The backside turn is an important move for teaching your pup to move around obstacles quickly and accurately. Have your pup move around the obstacle, then make a sharp turn and head in the opposite direction. All of these moves are great for teaching agility to your pup and will give them the foundation they need to learn more complex moves.
Reverse Serpentine
The reverse serpentine is a must-have for any dog agility handler. It’s a great move for teaching your pup to follow commands and remain focused on the course. It involves having your dog zigzag through a line of obstacles.
The goal is to get your pup to understand the concept of a serpentine, so he’ll learn to move in a series of curves and turns. It’s a great way to challenge and engage your pup while also teaching them how to work with you as a team.
To practice the reverse serpentine, start with a few obstacles in a straight line. Have your pup run through the middle of the obstacles, with each corner providing a turn for them.
As your pup gets better at the move, you can add more obstacles and challenge them further.
Make sure to reward your pup for a job well done, as it will help them learn the move quickly, and with enthusiasm. The reverse serpentine is a great way to have fun, challenge your pup and build your relationship with them. It’s a great move to practice for agility competitions, and it’s also a great way to give your pup a mental and physical challenge. So get out there and have some fun with your pup while practicing the reverse serpentine!
V-Shape Weave
The V-Shape weave is a great move for your dog to practice agility handling. This is a fairly advanced move, so make sure your pup is comfortable with the basics before giving it a try. The V-Shape weave involves your dog weaving in and out of two upright poles.
It’s important to give your commands in a clear and concise manner, as this move takes a lot of precision. To start, have your dog stand still between the two poles, and then give your command to weave.
You may need to encourage or guide your pup if they are having difficulty, but remember to be patient and reward them with a treat and lots of praise once they complete the move successfully. With practice, your pup will be doing the V-Shape weave like a pro in no time!
Blind Cross
Blind crosses are tricky but oh-so-rewarding! They require the handler to be very aware of their dog’s body language, so make sure you take the time to practice and master this move before attempting it in a competition. You can start by teaching your dog to do a simple turn and then adding the blind cross.
Make sure to give your pup lots of verbal cues and reward them for a job well done.
A blind cross can really help you shave off a few seconds in the course, so you shouldn’t overlook it. When you’re ready to practice this move, start by standing in the middle of a lane and calling your pup to you.
As your pup comes to you, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. This helps teach the dog to stay in the same lane. As you go around the corner, give your pup a verbal cue to turn with you.
Then keep walking in the opposite direction.
Once you reach the end of the lane, give your pup a reward. Now that your pup knows the basics of the blind cross, it’s time to start working on it at a higher speed. It’s important to remember that this move requires a lot of practice, so don’t get too frustrated if your pup doesn’t get it right away.
Just take your time and be sure to reward your pup for a job well done. With a bit of patience and practice, you and your pup will be ready to tackle the blind cross on competition day.
Backside Turn
The backside turn is one of the essential dog agility handling moves, and it is a great tool for making tight turns with your pup. It requires your pup to understand the concept of “going away,” which basically means going in the opposite direction of the handler. To execute a backside turn, you’ll need to give your pup a verbal cue and use a sweeping arm motion to guide them in the direction you need them to go.
This move can be used as part of a course to make tight turns without losing time, or as a way to switch leads and create better flow in your handling. To master the backside turn, practice the move at home with your pup first.
Start by having your pup go away from you a few steps and then stop and look back at you.
When your pup looks back at you, give them a treat and then move your hand in an outward motion to guide them in the direction you want them to go. As your pup gets used to the motion, move further away and increase the speed of your hand motion. With enough practice, you and your pup will be executing backside turns with ease in no time.
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