Agility for Puppies: Top 5 Fun Exercises to Get Started

Puppies under 12 months are still growing – both physically and mentally. Avoiding activities with high or repetitive impact on their joints is crucial. At the end of each bone is a vulnerable area called the “growth plate,” where new bone develops. Injuries to growth plates, even minor ones, can lead to lifelong deformities and pain.

The age at which a dog reaches skeletal maturity varies by breed. Smaller breeds generally mature around 18 months, while larger breeds can take 2–3 years.

That’s why early training focuses on foundation work or “flatwork.” These skills prepare a dog for agility equipment, such as full-height jumps and contact equipment like the A-frame, seesaw or dog walk. Skills like self-control, body awareness and directional cues can all be trained at home without any risk to your puppy’s developing body.

Here are five essential behaviours to teach your puppy to prepare them for agility training later in life:

In agility, you’ll often need to take hold of your dog’s collar or harness. Without training, puppies can develop negative associations with being grabbed, making handling more stressful. Teaching your puppy that being grabbed is positive is vital for agility and general recall training, too.

Believe it or not, you can teach your dog the difference between left and right! Directional cues are crucial in agility, as they help your dog stay balanced and avoid injuries during tight turns on a course.

A reliable start line wait is one of the most valuable agility skills. It allows you to position yourself strategically before starting the course. For many dogs, waiting requires a lot of self-control, as it’s tempting to self-release before hearing the cue to go.

Tug-of-war is a fantastic reward game, but some dogs only engage with toys that are moving like a rodent, which triggers their prey drive. In agility, reward placement is key, so teaching your dog to run to a stationary (or “dead”) toy with enthusiasm is incredibly useful.

Throughout a dog’s agility career, it is going to be challenged in many ways. These challenges may cause a dog to lose confidence during training or competing. Having an easy game to play is essential to help your dog regain their confidence in the moment and reduce frustration. Hand targeting – where your dog touches your hand with their nose – is a simple but effective game. It’s an easy win for your dog, helping build confidence when they’re frustrated or unsure during training or competition. It’s also a great way to refocus your dog and prepare them to learn new skills.

Before using agility equipment, there are many foundational skills that dogs need to learn – not just to perform well but also to stay safe. While a simple jump might look easy, repeatedly negotiating even one obstacle requires proper technique to avoid injury.

Teaching these skills when your puppy is young prepares them for agility later in life, reducing the risk of long-term pain or discomfort. Agility is about health and longevity, so it is vital to take it slow. After all, as the saying goes, “Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey.”