I think having good obedience to start with is good, because it's off lead so a good recall is good. Also, things like sit and stay are good so you can ahead of the dog when running the course. They will teach you how to get the dog to sit on the contacts correctly. Most dogs follow your body language anyway and you teach them commands, like Over for the hurdles and Walk On for the dog walk.

I bought a few jumps for my garden, a tunnel, some plastic sticks for weaves and a door to act like a dog walk for contact training. I think it helps because once a week is not much for practicing commands. Like in obedience classes, they usually send you home with work to do with your dog during the week, its the same with agility.

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011