Dog agility is an exciting sport that strengthens your bond with your dog, builds confidence, and channels their energy into something positive. But before you start tackling jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, you need a solid foundation. Without it, agility can become frustrating, overwhelming, or even unsafe for your dog.
In this guide, we’ll break down why foundation skills matter, how to teach agility basics to puppies, and how you can set your dog up for success with our online course: Foundation Agility: Driven by Drift—a step-by-step programme following Drift’s training journey from 20 to 36 weeks old.
Why Are Foundation Skills Important for Agility Training?
Just like a house needs a strong base, your dog needs solid foundation skills before stepping onto an agility course. Without them, you risk confusion, injuries, and setbacks. Here’s why these early skills are crucial:
1. Body Awareness and Coordination – Young dogs are still developing their coordination. Teaching foundation exercises like balance work, rear-end awareness, and controlled movement helps them navigate obstacles safely and efficiently.
2. Confidence Building – A puppy that has been introduced to different surfaces, objects, and movements from an early age will be more confident when facing agility equipment. Confidence prevents hesitation and fear-based refusals on the course.
3. Engagement and Focus – Agility is a fast-paced sport that requires attention and teamwork. Puppies who learn to engage with their handler early will have an easier time following cues and staying on task in a high-energy environment.
4. Clear Communication and Handling – Agility is all about teamwork between dog and handler. By establishing early communication skills, your dog will better understand directional cues, body language, and verbal markers, making transitions to obstacles much smoother.
How to Teach Agility Basics to Puppies
🐾 Tip: Start foundation training early! Even though full agility training should wait until your puppy’s body is fully developed, foundation work can begin as early as 20 weeks old.
Step 1: Focus and Engagement Games – Before agility, your dog needs to stay connected with you, even in distracting environments.
🔹 Reward eye contact and name recognition.
🔹 Play fun games like “find me” to encourage focus.
🔹 Use reward-based training to make engagement exciting!
Step 2: Body Awareness and Strength Building – A well-balanced dog is a confident agility dog!
🔹 Teach your puppy to step onto different surfaces (rubber mats, wobble boards, platforms).
🔹 Use cavaletti poles at ground level to improve stride awareness.
🔹 Encourage rear-end awareness by teaching your pup to move their back feet independently.
Step 3: Foundation Handling Skills – Handling begins long before the agility equipment!
🔹 Teach directional cues (left, right, forward).
🔹 Introduce verbal markers that will later transfer to obstacles.
🔹 Practise reward placement so your pup learns to move in the right direction.
Step 4: Confidence on Equipment – Puppies should not be jumping or weaving at a young age, but they can explore safe, puppy-appropriate agility equipment.
🔹 Start with normal tunnels, wobble boards, and planks.
🔹 Reward calm interactions with new obstacles.
🔹 Keep sessions short and fun to build a positive association.
Step 5: Foundation Sequences and Relationship Building – Before tackling full courses, puppies should practise small movement sequences to build drive and confidence.
🔹 Use reward-based games to encourage movement in a specific direction.
🔹 Practise handler movement (running together, changing direction smoothly).
🔹 Reinforce quick recalls and impulse control.
Take Your Puppy’s Agility Training to the Next Level!
Want expert guidance to get your puppy’s agility foundations right from the start? Join our online course: Foundation Agility: Driven by Drift!
🐶 What’s Inside?
✅ A step-by-step agility foundation programme
✅ Training videos following Drift’s journey from 20 to 36 weeks old
✅ Fun, structured exercises to build engagement, confidence, and skills
✅ Low-impact, puppy-safe agility training to set your dog up for future success
🌟 Start your agility journey the right way!
Click here to enrol in Foundation Agility: Driven by Drift.
You Made It! Here’s a Special Reward Just for You!
🎉Since you’ve read this far, you’re clearly serious about setting your puppy up for agility success—and we love that!
As a thank-you for your dedication, we’re giving you an exclusive 25% discount on our online course:
🌟 Foundation Agility: Driven by Drift 🌟
💥 Use code: SPRING25 at checkout to save 25%!
📅 Hurry – this special reader reward is only available until April 30th 2025!
🚀 Click here to enrol and start training today!
Final Thoughts
Dog agility is more than just speed—it’s about teamwork, confidence, and clear communication. By focusing on strong foundation skills, you’re giving your dog the tools they need to succeed and enjoy the sport for years to come.
Start your training today with Foundation Agility: Driven by Drift, and set your puppy up for agility success!
🌟 Ready to build an agility superstar? Don’t forget to use code SPRING25 for 25% off—offer ends April 30th!
📢 Enrol now and start training with Drift’s proven foundation methods! Sign up today.
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