Hi,

I'm sorry if this is a bit of a silly question. Our first agility class is next week and I'm just wondering if it's better to take her on a flat collar or a harness? She usually wears a harness when on-lead as she's a small breed and I don't like to put pressure on her throat, but I just put her collar on if we're going for an off-lead walk.

Thanks

__________________

Ringo is small too and wears a clip (as opposed to buckle collar) for agility as he can pretty much always either be off lead or not pull on lead....but I think it depends on your dog and class...if you are spending time learning how to use the equipment,will you have Kenzie on or off lead? And if you're listening to instructions waiting will she wait without pulling on lead if necessary or would she be off lead? I think I'd wear the harness for the first class and see how it's organised? You don't want to be accidentally jerking her collar when you're learning the new stuff ...

Sorry for the silly long winded answer...guess its personal choice and depends how your class is organised...

Naomi

__________________

Thanks Naomi,

I didn't think about some of the things you suggested. Knowing Kenzie, if we were waiting/listening she'd be sniffing around or trying to get to other dogs so maybe the harness would be better.

Like you say I might take her on the harness for the first time, I can always take it off

Thanks.

__________________

It depends what you're doing but you need to be careful that the harness doesn't catch on the equipment, so perhaps have the harness on when you're not actually doing the equipment, but off whilst you're 'running'. She should be 'off lead' whilst doing the equipment but she may be just sitting on the bottom of the contacts (it's one way to teach them - and a good one) so she may be on a lead, but you don't want anything that can snag on tunnel or aframe if she's going over a full height one on lead.

__________________
Penny
Funfastquick Agility Dogs

Thanks Penny, I never thought of that either Maybe just collar then...

__________________

Millie normally wears a harness or half check collar.

She has a flat plastic clip collar for agility (Although she has only done one class lol)

Didnt want to risk her getting caught whilst her big bum is pounding around w00t:

We found that when we were talking to the trainer Millie was onlead but I would just hold her collar if she was being abit 'excited'!

Ps cant wait to hear how Kenzie gets on!! Its Millies 2nd lesson on Saturday and im already excited hehe

__________________

Flat collar is best. Least chance of gettting caught on anything

If you ever think about competing in the future your dog must wear a flat collar (in most competitions anything other is banned), so start as you mean to go on.

Good luck

__________________

at my agility club no harnesses are allowed only a flat collar with an id tag so it may be a good idea to contact the organisers and ask them .