When you begin using agility equipment, you might find that your dog enjoys some obstacles more than others. Sometimes, for instance, a dog might be a bit shy about using a dog tunnel and the collapsible chute. Here are a few tips that can help make tunnel training a big success.
We sell several different types of dog tunnels. The collapsible chute has a small barrel at one end and the chute attaches to the barrel. We offer a mini barrel and chute as well, which is ideal for small dogs and for puppy training. Our full-size chutes can be purchased in 10-foot or 12-foot lengths. The mini chutes can be purchased in six, eight or 10-foot sizes. We also sell sandbags and tunnel weight bags to ensure that your tunnel or chute stays in place during practice sessions.
As with any piece of agility equipment, it can be wise to simply allow your dog to simply sniff around the dog tunnel or chute and warm up to the equipment. As a trainer, you can even get down on the ground and stick your own head into the tunnel to rouse your dog’s curiosity.
One helpful tip would be to detach the barrel from the chute and simply begin by coaxing your dog through this short barrel. This is just two feet long and your dog can see through it easily. Decide on a command such as “tunnel” or “through” and be consistent with your command. Once your dog navigates through the barrel, provide plenty of praise.
After they seem comfortable with the barrel, you can train them to head through the tunnel. You can even use the same command for this apparatus as it is so similar to the chute. The tunnel can be easier an easier piece of agility equipment to teach than the chute because a dog can see through it to the end. If necessary, you can have one person coax the dog into the tunnel using the “tunnel” or “through” command and have another person waiting at the other end providing encouragement. It doesn’t take long for dogs to understand and begin zipping through the tunnel.
Once the barrel and tunnel are comfortable, it’s time to up the game and try out the chute. The chute, because it is collapsible, can be a bit more daunting. However, your dog now already understands the tunnel command and has practiced with the barrel. So simply give the command and encourage your furry friend to head through the barrel and the chute. Again, you could have someone at the other end holding the chute open initially to ease the uncertainty.
While dogs sometimes are uncertain at first about tunnels and chutes, they soon enjoy zipping through these pieces of agility equipment. Once they have mastered their tunnel and chute skills, you can add them to the rotation on your backyard agility course.
Brad Carlson enjoys dog agility training. To find agility equipment or to find more about training equipment for dog agility equipment, please check out the Carlson-Agility.com website today.
