One of the most exciting parts of watching dogs compete in agility is watching them fly over a bar jump. You can see the focus in the dog's eyes as they prepare to jump. You might even hold you breath until they clear it. Now, you can also teach your dog to hurdle the bar jump as well. Follow the steps below for some basic hurdle training!
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First things first, allow your dog to get used to how a jump looks fully assembled. Make sure they are comfortable being around it.
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Set the height of the bar jump very low - so that the dog can simply step over it. Lure your dog over the bar jump using a treat or a toy - whatever motivates them! Once they make it over, treat them with their reward.
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After your dog understands that they are supposed to go over the jump, you can begin using a verbal command such as "jump!" or "over!".
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Start increasing the height of the jump gradually as they get comfortable. The bar jump should not exceed the height of your dog's shoulders for safety and to help prevent injury.
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Have fun, and enjoy the extra time spent with your furry family member.
When the jumps are set up, you want to make sure they are on a soft surface. You do not want to have a dog jump repetitively on a concrete, or asphalt-type surface. Grass, dirt, and indoors work well.
