Tunnels
Tunnels are usually an easy obstacle to teach. Start off with a short tunnel that allows your dog to see through to the other side. Have someone at the opposite end ready with some treats or a favorite toy. Lead your dog to the tunnel, give the command "tunnel," and have your helper begin calling him and offering treats. If he is hesitant, you can throw a few treats inside. Most dogs will quickly make their way through to the other side. As your dog becomes comfortable, you can work up to longer and curved tunnels.
Weave Poles
Weave poles are a row of poles that your dog must weave in and out of. This can be a difficult obstacle to teach. Plan on lots of practice and repetition before your dog masters this skill. To start, stagger the poles so they are at least shoulder-width apart for your dog. Put him on leash and lead him through the middle channel between the poles. After you have done this a number of times, gradually move the poles closer to the center. This forces your dog to bend his body a bit to work his way through the middle channel. By the time you have the poles in the correct position, your dog should have learned the bending movement needed to weave around the poles. The weave poles can take several weeks to months for your dog to learn.
The Pause Table
The pause table is a table that your dog must jump up on to perform either a "sit-stay" or a "down-stay" The table is usually no higher than your couch, so it is not hard to encourage your dog to jump up on it. Patting the surface and using some treats to lure your dog is usually all that is needed. The tough part is to keep your dog in a stay. Most dogs are anxious to move on to another obstacle. This is where your early training comes in. If you have practiced basic commands before you begin agility training, your dog will be ahead of the game. If your dog is having trouble, start small. Have him stay for a count of one, and then offer a treat. Gradually increase the amount of time you have him stay. Once he is able to stay for 5 seconds or more, practice with lots of distractions, just as he will experience at an agility trial.
Putting It Together
Once your dog has mastered all the obstacles, it is time to put it all together. This is called sequencing. It is your job to let your dog know the order in which he should approach obstacles. Start by linking two obstacles, such as a jump and the tunnel. First, give your dog the command "big jump." Then, before he hits the ground on the other side, tell him "tunnel" as you move towards the tunnel. Timing is important with sequencing. If you wait too long to give the command for the next obstacle, your dog may make the choice for himself, and it may not be the right one. Once your dog has gotten the hang of doing two obstacles in a row, you can add another, and so on, until he is able to complete an entire course. Once he is able to do this successfully, you are ready to compete!