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Training a dog to do agility is not easy but you can do it if you don't get too frustrated. I did it! And I am still doing it because it is fun. My name is Gabi and I am 10 years old. My dogs name is "Foxtails Gem of the Sea" but I call her Ruby. We both love agility. I wish we could do it more but I have to go to school.
I have been training Ruby since I was 7 years old but we didn't just go right into agility. First, we did obedience. Trust me it helps... a lot! Obedience helped me teach her to sit, stay, down and everything else.
When Ruby was 6 months old the fun part began. On the first day we found out that if you wanted her attention you should have food. With help from my trainer "food dispenser" Bonnie Simmons, Ruby learned to like all the obstacles that were rewarded by food. After a year of training we got to go to our first trial.
My goal when we are at a trial is to have fun. I would like to get my novice standard title but mostly it is to have fun. When I am at a trial I can tell Ruby knows what we are doing there. When she sees other dogs run she whines and barks because she wants it to be her turn.
It is a little nerve racking but remember your just there to have fun, and if you like it you can do it again. I like it, and since I kept trying I got my novice Jumpers title and a chance to write this article. You might to, if you keep trying. If anything you will find that you will have a great relationship with you dog.
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