Introduction to Dog Agility [Paperback]

Margaret H. Bonham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Written especially for beginning canine Agility competition enthusiasts, this manual covers all aspects of the competitive sport. The author starts with instruction on evaluating a dog's physical fitness and overall readiness for Agility training, then makes specific diet recommendations, and advises on treatment of injuries and the use of positive training methods. Advanced discussion describes obstacles used in Agility competitions, then shows how to teach the dog jumps, getting through tunnels, and other competition events. Filled with instructive full-color photos and illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
If you're among the growing number of canine agility enthusiasts, you'll find valuable information and advice in this book. The author, a professional dog trainer, tells you how to evaluate your dog's physical fitness and readiness for agility training, and then covers all aspects of this competitive sport. Here are diet recommendations, advice on the correct use of clickers and other positive reinforcement tools, basic commands, and specific training methods for the various competitive events. Instructive color photos take you step-by-step through the training methods. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764114395
• ISBN-13: 978-0764114397
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,052,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am an award-winning author of thirty books living in the wilds of Montana as a Colorado refugee. Because I love confusing people, I go by Margaret H. Bonham with my pet books and M. H. Bonham in my science fiction and fantasy. I train in shotokan and ninjitsu martial arts, I race sled dogs, and podcast. I frequent science fiction conventions, so be sure to check out my blog for places I'll be at.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Introduction to a Fun Sport, November 13, 2000

By 

David Hathaway - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Dog Agility (Paperback)

I waited to buy a dog agility book until this was published, and I am glad I did. Everything about the book smacks of quality, from the gorgeous color photos to the full color layout to the little notes and tips. She carefully avoids the impersonal "it" by naming fictional dogs "Ace" and "Sierra". It is a clever invention that really does help in making the material more understandable. It is attention to details like this that make it better than some books I've browsed and declined to buy.

The book covers most aspects of the sport, from selecting a breed to giving the actual agility rules from the various governing bodies (including the UKC!). She gives instructions on how to build some backyard agility equipment; I've already built the tire jump from her plans, and it was effortless. I wish she had given plans for some of the harder equipment, like teeter boards or A-frames, but those are bigger projects requiring some thought anyways.

Her large section on handling and sequencing seems overly long... until you try it on your own. I'll swallow my pride and admit now that it is tougher than it looked. I am glad she spent a lot of space on this important information. I'll now go back and carefully read this section over again.

This is a book I won't quickly outgrow. I feel like it will be useful all the way through my first few trials, and then some. And all the while, it will look dang good on my coffee table!

I'm glad I waited for it!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Start For You and Your Dog, May 2, 2001

By 

Laura S. Culp (Conway, Arkansas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Dog Agility (Paperback)

I purchased this book in anticipation of adopting a mixed breed from my local shelter. Cracker Jack is a australian shepard/sheltie mix who I thought would be the perfect dog for me to start with agility training. This book is so helpful in learning the skills myself and with the teaching of the skills to my dog. The color photos are wonderful, much better than having fuzzy black and white photos as in the other books offered, and the book is a very clear, concise, easy to read, step by step manual. The most suprising thing was that it showed not just the standard breed of dog that comes to my mind for agility (i.e. australian shepards, shelties, border collies, golden retrievers, etc.) but it also showed a wide range of other dogs who can benefit and succeed from agility training and competition like the terriers, corgis, even the bulldog and even the giant great danes! I highly recommend this well planned and designed book for anyone interested in agility training of your dog (no matter what the breed or size!) and for those who simply want to strengthen their bond with their pet.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dog Agility, April 6, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Introduction to Dog Agility (Paperback)

This is a great book for pros and beginners alike! It has got what most qualifacations and obstacles are for the major agility associations; not to mention how to build a lot of the more simple ones. There are also great pictures of training to see how to do certain obstacles and so you can be able to see if your dog is doing it right. It also has instructions for any obstacle imaginable! I recommend this book to any one having trouble trying to pull off a double jump or to anyone who just thinks their dog could do this (which is a lot; all healthy dogs are capable of doing this!)!