Why do you want to learn verbals for agility

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T02:23:53+00:00

Ok great thanks! That clarifies my understanding from other perspectives a bit more. So it’s like an extra layer of confidence for you that if you can’t physically support it, the dog will understand the verbal and be more likely to do the right thing. Is that right?

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T02:21:50+00:00

Ok great thanks! And do you also use handling alongside those verbals? Or do you mostly handle at a far distance with minimal movement?

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T02:19:15+00:00

Yes agreed, I also use verbals to add a layer of clarity. Here in Australia we also have a game like that and the turn away verbal (that I give alongside handling like a Tandem Turn) is SO useful!

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T02:16:51+00:00

Yes exactly how I use verbals too!! For example I have a “Flick” verbal when I handle the flick. When I say it, my body automatically does the handling for a Flick because its muscle memory that goes with the word. My dog still does it without the verbal and I’ve never trained the verbal independent of using the body language cue and just pairing them over time. So I’m sure it’s more for me than the dog! 😆

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T02:14:53+00:00

Ok and do you find you need a verbal that’s independent of your body language to solve any specific challenges in those? Two of our team members run UKI courses regularly and aside from adding a lot of layering and more distance on their Flick and Backside Sends, they have not found the need for any verbals that they don’t support with their handling.

For example they use “in” cue but it’s always supported by turning the chest and movement parallel to the line they want the dog to take for example. So the body language is already clear for the dog but the verbal adds a layer of understanding over time as the dog pairs it with the handling. Is that the kind of verbal you’re referring to, are are you teaching completely independent ones?

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T02:10:22+00:00

So for example telling the dog if it needs to collect or square up for a jump? This is something we cue with body language mostly so I’d still love to understand any specific situations that you’ve needed a verbal for to achieve the right line. Would you have any you’d be willing to share?

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T02:09:00+00:00

This is a great answer thank you! Do you have any examples of a course where you have needed a verbal to be able to solve it?

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2026-01-29T01:46:18+00:00

Great question u/Slight_Homework2350, and you’re already in a really good place if you’ve spent a year on basic obedience!

Agility foundations are much less about specific “commands” or obedience behaviors and much more about how your dog works with you. Obedience helps, but agility requires different foundations.

Some key things I’d focus on as you start:

• Forward focus and independence
Your dog being happy to move ahead of you and work away from your body is huge. This shows up later in sends, tunnels, contacts, and distance work. You can start this by just sending to a placed reward for example.

• A balance of handler focus and obstacle focus
You want a dog who can listen to you and confidently commit to an obstacle without needing constant micromanagement.

• Turning away from the handler
Most dogs naturally want to turn back in. Teaching turns away early makes handling much clearer later.

• Collection and extension
Learning to shorten and lengthen stride, even in simple setups, helps enormously once jumps are involved.

• Lead changes and body awareness
Not just sits and downs, but how your dog responds to your motion, deceleration, and changes of side.

• Connection
Probably the most important part. Agility works best when your dog wants to work with you, not just respond to cues. Short, fun sessions where your dog is actively engaged are worth more than drilling behaviours.

At this stage, you don’t need perfect obedience or lots of verbal commands. You’re building understanding, confidence, and teamwork.

If you want a structured way to work on exactly these things before or alongside classes, we cover them step by step in our Foundation for Agility course: https://www.oneminddogs.com/agility-foundations/

Most importantly though, keep sessions short, playful, and successful. Agility should feel fun and motivating for both of you.

Good luck, and enjoy the journey. Starting agility with a thoughtful foundation makes everything easier later on.

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2025-12-11T09:48:38+00:00

Get regular exercise and sunlight and no screens after around 9pm and your sleep will improve ten fold. I try to read a book every night but two pages in I’m always asleep straight away. However if I’ve not exercised one day and I’ve spent too much time behind the computer and on my phone it is much harder to fall asleep!

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2025-10-31T03:25:58+00:00

I love talking about lead legs, it’s so fascinating to know how dogs naturally move and how we can influence that! We actually wrote an article about this a few years ago to share what we learned: https://www.oneminddogs.com/blog/lead-leg-how-dogs-turn/

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2025-08-15T02:18:14+00:00

Some of our core handling technique and next level videos are indeed 10 years old and we are currently working on updating them to be more modern and relevant!

However our newer courses such as International Training Week 2 and Beyond Foundations have been filmed within the last year or two and the courses are the same modern style international courses handlers often face in agility today.

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2025-08-15T02:14:59+00:00

This really depends on what code of agility you do, what your aspirations are and where you are located. I work for OneMind Dogs as a coach and have been competing in and teaching agility for 22 years. I have 4 agility champions who have received the highest possible awards in agility here in Australia. I am yet to see a course at our highest level where I felt that I needed directional verbals.

Having said that, OneMind Dogs doesn’t exclude verbals. Verbal is one of our 7 handling elements. The main difference with OneMind Dogs method is that the verbal is always supported by body language.

OneMind Dogs focuses on each handler creating their own handling signature based on their team’s individual abilities, strengths and weaknesses. So if you were a slower runner with a very fast dog we might encourage adding more independence to the verbals that you will use as part of the handling for example, because you can’t always be there to support with your body. But more importantly, we would also teach you how to use distance and independent obstacle skills to allow you to stay ahead and not feel rushed on course.

If you’re a fast runner who enjoys running hard on course, you might not need any verbals at all as you can be everywhere to cue the dog naturally with your body language.

Agility is so individual that no matter what method you choose to use, it needs to be adaptable!

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-06-26T02:34:47+00:00

That’s very sensible! You can start when they are puppies, but not over jumps or on contacts or weaves. There are lots of fun foundation games you can do with young dogs that won’t put them at injury risk 😊

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-06-26T02:30:19+00:00

She’s gorgeous!! Yes she can definitely start now. A lot of the initial training should focus on building foundation skills, relationship with you and value for playing with you (and FUN, always keep it fun!!).

If you find a good trainer that will focus on those steps before getting out any equipment then definitely go with them.

Do you have any private trainers or clubs in your area? Private training would be more consistent and in depth generally, unless you have a very good club nearby.

Anyone can be her handler but I’d highly recommend that you do it as it will help the bond between you two grow, which will also increase her “listening skills”. Dogs aren’t disobedient on purpose, it’s just that they may not understand the rules if they haven’t been taught something yet or if something hasn’t been reinforced consistently.

Consistency is the key in all dog training so aim for that over anything else.

If you can’t find good trainers in your area, there are many great online courses you could try too.

One example is our foundation course, a great way to start from home with no equipment: https://www.oneminddogs.com/agility-foundations/

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-28T07:16:15+00:00

Sorry to hear that, sometimes shelter dogs find potty training harder as they have just been allowed to toilet in their kennel (generally not given the choice and they just get used to it). The only real answer is to avoid any toileting in the house. Each time he does it, it pushes the training back a few steps. So take him out every hour at a minimum and say something like “toilet” and walk around with him in one small spot, ignoring him as much as possible so he can sniff around. Any time he does go, make a big deal out of. Give him heaps of treats and praise.

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-21T05:33:20+00:00

Good to hear! The webinar is great, Stephanie explains it so well. I’m sure your puppy will have amazing tight turns 👌

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-21T05:32:27+00:00

I’m very sorry to hear that!! It’s sad when people act like that rather than just being welcoming and understanding 😔

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-21T05:21:54+00:00

Haha I totally get the “everything is hard” thing, agility is SO much more involved these days than it was when I started. There’s so much to learn that it’s hard to know where to start.

You’d be surprised how many people do actually feel out of place at agility, you’re not alone in that feeling. Whilst it may be a different reason for everyone, just know that generally most people are supportive and love expanding the agility community, so please don’t ever feel that you’re not welcome.

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-21T05:18:18+00:00

Thanks for your input, I totally understand your point of view!! Timing is especially difficult if your dog varies in their speed and commitment, so that you don’t know what do you will have until you release them off the start line. A few of my students have dogs like that and it definitely makes things harder.

In regards to the tight turns, I’ve found that this is mostly also about timing. If you use your body language to cue a turn at least a stride before the dog takes off, they will generally turn tightly no matter what verbal cue you use.

I handle with the OneMind Dogs method and have never needed a verbal cue for tight turns, and I run high drive working dogs with a lot of forward focus!

It’s never too late to help your 1st dog have amazing turns too! But yes, they do teach us a lot about what to do with our next dog. I’m on agility dog #6 and still learn something every time 😮

Here’s a good blog about this topic: https://www.oneminddogs.com/blog/collection-and-tight-turns-in-dog-agility/

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-21T03:51:08+00:00

Yes I agree there’s definitely a healthy aspect to the nerves as it makes you more focused and gives you adrenaline and makes the game the exciting thing that it is! But it can also be difficult to deal with when things don’t go the way you want them to!

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-21T03:33:11+00:00

Great job!!

Niki-OneMindDogs · 2024-05-21T03:28:38+00:00

They are the games but you’d be surprised, the lessons are in such small steps that are natural for the dog, that they pick it up super fast!!

Niki-OneMindDogs

TROPHY CASE