Training for agility is one thing that the Border Collie
dog breed loves. 
All you have to say is ready, set, go and they are off to race. They love to run as well as work and with a combination like this, they make the ideal dogs for agility competitions. They learn very quickly and are very willing to perform the things they are taught. They have excellent focus and concentration and are rarely distracted from the task at hand. Their drive to work is an asset in agility and they get just as much enjoyment out of agility as you do.
To train your Border Collie in agility, you can build your own equipment or you can purchase it. There are many different types and materials you can choose from, and if you have a long weekend coming up it could prove to be a very interesting project to build your own. You have to build your agility course to the exact specifications that are used in the competition. If you don't train your dog on the proper equipment, he could get confused when he goes to the competition and this could cause him to lose out on being the winner that you know he is.
When you enter your Border Collie in agility competitions, he will love the freedom he has to run. The speed alone will excite him and you will soon see him finish the course. Your dog must be in perfect sync with you as you guide him around the course to the finish. You have no leash or collar for control, so this is where good obedience training comes into play. You should start training Border Collie puppies at a very early age if you are going to use them as agility dogs. They need to build up the stamina it takes to complete these courses and they also need a basic knowledge of how the course works, even though there might be differences in the courses from one competition to the next.
Once your dog gets the idea of how the Border Collie agility course works, you are on your way. You can start off with a
puppy by offering him an eight inch board to jump over or use the same board for a teeter. Broomstick handles will serve a puppy to practice his jumps also. As they keep working, they gain confidence in what they are doing and with confidence comes speed. No dog breeds do it better than a Border Collie, especially one that comes to love the competition. That is why Border Collies are used so much in these types of competitions and usually walk away with the top prizes, making their owners very proud to have such a dog.
Border Collie agility is not only good for your dog, but it will keep you in tip-top shape as you are the one that has to train him. It will prove to be a great bonding experience for both of you as you learn together the ins and outs of Border Collie agility.
