Hi
i am thinking about signing up for a course in agility. Oscar is a year old on the 15th and is just about to complete Bronze KC good citizen. I want to progress to silver however have been taking him to a weekly socialisation class so might do silver next year.
I quite fancy doing agility with him - just for fun and exercise

Oscar is a staffie so not your average agility dog - does anyone have any experience training to do agility - what do we need to know and what basic training level would you recommend??

thanks
becky

Dont know much about agility at all really Rebecca but I do know that our local club doesnt recommend full training until dogs are 18 months - they do have like a beginners night where they mess about on the equipment but I think it's more of an introduction than actual 'lessons'

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Jo, Nelly, Bhu and Molly
Some people talk alot.................and say nowt

We do agility with Zipper,
Just for fun, not competitions.
They can start lessons at 1 year but can't compete until 18 months.
At first when the pups are under 18 months as long as you are not working them solidly for an hour and the jumps are kept at th lowest Oscar will be fine. When we go for our lessons there are 6 of us and we take turns so Zipper gets plenty of rest and we only go once a week.
Its really good if your dog has a strong wait - and has a favourite toy (not squeaky) that they are prepared to work for. Other than that just go and have fun.
Zipper loves the dog walk but is rubbish on the see-saw, each dog has is different strengths and its a right laugh giggling at your mistakes and celebrating you sucesses.
Go along and have fun - we learnt along with a labrador, a collie and a Rottie

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

Jo P is correct in saying a dog should be 18months before undertaking "full" agility work but you can make a start with the tunnels and weave work, just leave out the jumps for now

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and im a moaning old fart

Hi,
I take my 2ry old Lurcher Dude (who is 28" at the shoulder). He loves it.
You must have a good recall, a strong wait and some level of obedience. My club would not take Dude until he passed his Novice (2nd) certificate in obediance.. He is now in his advanced, not bad for a lurcher.

As previuosly stated they will keep the jumps at a minimum until he gets more experienced. Praise and reward and bring his favourite toy.

You will be taught the other basic commands required for agility as you progress.

Dude was a bit apprehensive at first about the tunnels but after i persuaded him that they are ok by crawling through them first he soon took to them.

The see-saw is a bit daunting for him but he will get it.

You get out of it from what you put into it. Its also a great socialising club and you will pick up tips from the other members.

You can pick up tunnels £19.99 each and jumps X 3 at £19.99 each from pets at home stores. these are great for practising at home.


Just go along and have fun for yourself and the dog.

We're currently doing KC gold with Logan, but after we pass that (fingers crossed ) I am definitely going to look about starting agility with him. He will be 18 months old at the end of this month and we were always told to wait till 18 months old too.

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