I'm thinking of starting agility with Harley, I've found somewhere local that does it on a Sunday morning.

He is 14 months now but advise from the vet and my own research says to avoid high impact training for the first 18 month.

So just wondering what are people opinions on starting agility at this age?

What breed is she?

Smaller breeds can start high impact exercise at about 12-14 months. My cocker spaniel is doing fairly high impact exercise and he's 15 months now.

__________________

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

He's a Doberman.

Then I'd take your vets advice as they do have weaker bones and joints (being longer) so they need more time to grow to their full length and fuse. You could ask the agility club when they start doing high impact exercise, and then you could start the course earlier and when the high impact exercise starts, then he'll be the right age (if you get what i mean). Say they start high impact exercise 5 weeks into the course, you could start the course 5 weeks before he's 18 months old.

__________________

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

If you wated to get him used to the discipline you could let him run through the course, but with the crossbars from the jumps on the floor, so that he just runs through them. The tunnels are ok now, and the see-saw providing you hold it so that it goes down gently. Definitely no twists or jumps until he's about 18 months though!

__________________
Bergies and borders - what more could anyone want? Siamese and maine coons, of course!

From the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam:
The Moving Finger writes, and, having writ,
Moves on, nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
(But you can always edit your post, of course )

most agility clubs/classes don't allow large breeds under 18 months however some cater for puppies/younger dogs by putting poles on the ground and thecontact equipment low or flat. This gives them the opportunity to get used to the equipment and train without putting undue stress on growing joints.

Thank you for all your answers, I did suspect he maybe too young.

I'll give the club a ring and see how the course lays, then I can gauge when Harley can start. They might be full at the mo anyway.

some agility clubs have long waiting lists - ours was over a year a while back. It's best to get your name down now. In the meantime, work on control, directing your dog around you and making sure he's happy walking on either side of you.