I've decided that when Bramble is old enough I would like to get him into agility, I think it would really suit him, but he won't be able to start till next year. Is there anything i can do now, to prepare him, what things does he need to get used to, things i can introduce him to?

What breed is Bramble?

Medium sized dogs have to be a minimum of 1 year of age before they can start agility training. They can start competing at 18 months.

Larger breeds should ideally start training at about 18months and competing a bit later.

Basically what is essential for agility is good basic obedience and offlead control.

A solid wait command, recall, sit, down and all the basics plus a general keeness to work is what is needed.

Depending on the age of your dog, I would really get going on basic obedience, take him to classes just have lots of fun.
If you want to do agility, positive reinforcement methods is a must (as it should be with any dog IMO) to ensure you have a great relationship with your dog.

Hope this helps- any more questions just ask

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Thanks, he's a Labrador, so it may be later in the year that we will be able to start.

Working on the obedience side of things is definately going to be my top priority, he's getting there, but gets very distracted, very easily! He reacts well to positive reniforcement and really works hard to please.

Thanks for the info

like lemmsy sid good basic obedience, also teach him to work on either side of you (if you go to obedience classes you'll be told to always have him on your left) and directional commands.

Tracey

Aww bless- typical waggy lab
How old is he?
My relative has labs and does agility with them and they have a whale of a time.
I also do agility with my young collie and I think it's safe to say he LOVES it too

Best of luck and any pictures of said poopie? You surely can't deny us lab puppy pics?

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Oh yes a good way of teaching directional commands is teaching the dog to spin (left and right), using different cue words/commands for each direction. They soon learn the difference. Clicker training would be the ideal way to go

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It would also be a good idea to find any Agility clubs near you,and contact them to see how long if any are the waiting lists,i know where i live most have waiting lists,this way you could put your name down on the list if they have one.

I've spent the evening researching agility clubs to find out fees and waiting lists. Sent a few emails to ones that have really caught my eye. Going to focus alot more on Bramble's obedience now!

Get him interested in a special toy which he gets for pleasing you it seems to work better with our dog as he loves food but knows he will get it but the toy moves about so he moves about and jumps quicker get him focussed on you and the toy (which will have to be silent for competitions and training)

Thanks i've started that today, he's got a rope toy he particularly loves. Been doing alot of basin obedience training, trying to get him on the waiting list for puppy agility class. It's proving a bit hard