Common Handler Mistakes in Dog Agility (And How to Fix Them)

Your dog has nailed the weaves and flies over jumps like a natural. So why does everything fall apart when you string a sequence together? Sadly, more often than not, the problem isn't your dog – it's you.

But don't worry, you're in good company.

Many people assume that dog agility training is about training your dog. But it’s equally about training the handler.

And every handler makes mistakes, from complete beginners to people who've been doing it for years. The difference is recognising what you're getting wrong and then sorting it out.

Dogs read body language better than we can read road signs. Every movement you make – where you face, how you step and which way your shoulders point – gives your dog information about where it should go next.

The trouble starts when your body starts sending mixed messages. You might shout "tunnel" while facing the jump and moving towards the weaves. Your poor dog doesn't know whether to trust your voice, your direction or your position.

(Spoiler alert: they'll trust your body over your words every time.)

Your position tells your dog which obstacle to take and which way to turn. If you're facing the wrong way or standing in the wrong spot, you're essentially pointing them at the wrong obstacle whilst telling them to do something different.

You can fix this by keeping your signals simple and consistent. Face where you want your dog to go. Move in that direction. Your body and your voice should be telling the same story.

If you give a cue too early, or too late, you'll throw off your dog's rhythm completely. They'll hesitate, take the wrong obstacle or slow down waiting for clearer instructions.

Signal too early and your dog can commit to the wrong obstacle. Too late and they're already guessing. Your dog needs that information at exactly the right moment to make the right choice at speed.

Confident dogs will guess when you're late with cues, whilst anxious dogs will gradually slow down to avoid making mistakes. Neither is ideal.

One solution is to video your training sessions and watch them back. You'll spot where your timing's off far more easily on screen than you will in the heat of the moment.

Stand in the wrong place and your dog will have to go around you, turning wide or even choosing a different obstacle altogether. You've become an obstacle yourself.

Where you step matters as much as where you stand. Step towards where your dog should land versus where they should take off and you're giving them completely different information. The trouble is most handlers don't even realise they're doing it.

Practice your footwork without your dog. Walk through sequences slowly at home, paying attention to each step. Once your feet know where to go, you can speed up without losing clarity.

Using different words for the same thing will also confuse your dog. If yesterday you said "jump" and today you're saying "over" and "hup", your dog is wasting mental energy working out what you mean, instead of just doing it.

Switching between words, gestures and tones for the same action will slow your dog's response times. Stick to one word per obstacle and use it all the time. Make it boring and predictable – that's the point.

The same goes for how you handle sequences. Don't reinvent the wheel at every session. Build an approach that works and stick with it.

Training should be fun for both of you, but it's easy to get so focused on doing everything "right" that you forget to relax and enjoy it.

Your dog is following your cues – so if they go wrong, they're not being disobedient, they're being an excellent teammate by doing exactly what you told them to. So when something doesn't work, don't blame your dog. Look at what you did and how you can make it clearer next time.

Keep your training sessions short and positive. If you're getting frustrated or your dog's losing interest, then stop. You can come back to it another day with fresh eyes and a better plan.

Most handling problems come down to unclear communication. Your dog wants to get it right. They're watching you constantly, looking for information about where to go next.

Dog handler training isn't just about teaching your to control your dog – it's about training yourself to give clear, consistent and well-timed cues.

When you sort out your own technique, watch how much better your dog runs.

Photo by Ryan Pugh-Roberts on Unsplash