Five Dog Agility Foundation Games to Play at Home
You do not need a field full of agility equipment to begin developing useful agility skills with your dog.
Some of the most important foundations can be practised at home using treats, a favourite toy and a small amount of space. These simple games can help develop focus, confidence, self-control and an understanding of basic handling cues.
Keep each session short and enjoyable. Practising for a few focused minutes is often more productive than continuing until your dog becomes tired or loses interest.
Before starting, choose a safe area with enough space for your dog to move comfortably. Avoid slippery flooring and remove anything they could collide with.
1. Race to the Toy and Build Forward Focus
Forward focus means that your dog learns to look and drive ahead rather than constantly turning back towards you.
This is an important agility skill because dogs will eventually need to move confidently towards obstacles while the handler directs them from behind or alongside.
How to play
Ask your dog to wait beside you while you place their favourite toy a short distance ahead.
Return to your dog and make sure they are looking towards the toy.
Use your release cue and race towards the toy together.
Allow your dog to collect it and celebrate enthusiastically.
Play with your dog before resetting the exercise.
Begin with the toy close enough that your dog clearly understands the game. You can gradually increase the distance as their confidence grows.
If your dog is not strongly motivated by toys, you can begin by using a visible food reward in an appropriate container. Always supervise your dog and ensure they cannot swallow or run away with the container.
The goal is to create excitement about moving forwards—not to test whether your dog can wait for a long time.
2. Practise a Wing Wrap Without a Jump
A wing wrap teaches your dog to move around an object and return in the opposite direction. It becomes useful when teaching dogs to turn tightly around a jump wing.
You do not need to add a jump pole while introducing the movement.
If you do not have a jump wing at home, use a suitable cone or another stable object with no sharp edges, plant pots are a great option. Make sure it cannot fall onto your dog.
How to play
Stand close to the object with your dog beside you.
Use a treat or your hand to guide your dog around it.
Reward as they complete the turn and return towards you.
Repeat in both directions.
Gradually reduce the amount of help you provide as your dog begins to understand the movement.
Keep the turn comfortable rather than encouraging your dog to twist as tightly as possible. Accuracy and confidence come before speed.
Once your dog understands the exercise, you can begin sending them from slightly farther away. Increase the distance gradually so the dog continues to succeed.
3. Develop a Sit and Wait
A reliable sit and wait can become the foundation of your agility start line.
The aim is for your dog to remain in position while you move away, then begin only when they hear their release cue. This gives you time to position yourself before starting a sequence.
How to play
Ask your dog to sit.
Pause briefly before rewarding them in position.
Take one small step away, return and reward.
Release your dog using a consistent cue.
Gradually increase your movement, distance and duration.
Change only one difficulty at a time. For example, increase the distance while keeping the wait short, rather than immediately asking your dog to remain while you walk across the room.
If your dog moves, calmly reset the exercise and make the next attempt easier. Avoid repeatedly saying “wait,” as the aim is for your dog to understand that one cue remains active until they are released.
A wait should build understanding and confidence—not make your dog worried about moving.
4. Teach a Hand Touch
A hand touch teaches your dog to deliberately place their nose against your open palm.
It is a useful way to regain focus, encourage movement and reposition your dog without pulling them physically into place.
How to play
Hold your open palm a short distance from your dog’s nose.
When they investigate or touch your hand, mark the behaviour with your usual marker word or clicker.
Give them a treat.
Repeat until your dog confidently moves towards your palm.
Begin presenting your hand slightly to either side so your dog takes a step to reach it.
Avoid pushing your hand into your dog’s face. Present it and allow them to choose to move towards it.
Once the behaviour is established, practise in different positions and around mild distractions. Keep rewarding your dog for making a clear, deliberate touch.
5. Teach Your Dog to Follow Your Hand
Following the hand is different from briefly touching it. In this exercise, your dog learns to follow your hand as it moves.
This can help introduce direction changes and guide your dog through new movements before they understand more advanced handling cues.
How to play
Place a treat in your hand and allow your dog to notice it.
Move your hand slowly away from their nose.
Reward your dog after they follow for one or two steps.
Gradually ask them to follow for slightly longer.
Practise moving in straight lines, gentle curves and both directions.
Keep your hand at a comfortable height. Your dog should be able to move naturally without stretching their neck upwards or crouching.
As your dog understands the exercise, begin using an empty hand before rewarding them from the other hand or your pocket. This prevents the skill from depending entirely on seeing food.
Keep Foundation Training Short and Successful
You do not need to practise all five games during the same session. Choose one or two exercises and work on them for a few minutes.
Finish while your dog is still engaged and enjoying the activity. If they become confused, distracted or frustrated, make the exercise easier and reward a simple success.
Foundation work should help your dog become more confident about training with you. It is not a test, and mistakes are simply information about what needs to be made clearer.
Ready to Progress to Agility Training?
Home exercises are an excellent starting point, but professional coaching will help you develop the skills correctly and progress them safely.
Unleashed Pawtential offers a six-week Agility Foundations Course for complete beginners in Thorner, Leeds. One-to-one agility coaching is also available for dogs and handlers requiring more individual support.
Training is led by Nikki Hodgson, a Grade 7 and Championship agility competitor.
View and book dog agility training and begin building your skills as a team.
