My 6 month old Sheltie had her first class yesterday. I was wanting to know how long it is before you start competing on average? She's a pretty smart dog and will be competing in Novice Obedience in December. Also, what is a good book to read on beginner agility?
2006-10-27 02:52:12 · 5 answers · asked by SHELTIELUVER 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If you go to www.akc.org, then go to Events tab, then you will see Getting Started in Agility. This has loads of info you will want, including that your dog may start competing in AKC at 1 yr. old. As dog brain's don't fully start to kick in til 2 yrs., this may be premature. In the meantime, you are on the right track with doing obedience first. You can't be successful with agility til you have a reliable stay in a sit and a down and must have a reliable recall. You are doing a great thing teaching your dog to focus on you. There's much ground work you can work on, including "wrapping" around poles, learning to make tight turns around it, and knowing which way to turn based on your body, and learning to run between poles even. I didn't have the training ladder, so I put a board on the ground the width of teeter/dogwalk and had her practice walking across it; learning to keep her feet on it. Another good source is Clean Run, a magazine about agility .(www.cleanrun.com) You can buy back issues. Awhile back, they had a Special Focus issue that was all about Puppies. This would be useful to you. They also sell books. Books on this subject are plentiful, and all have something to offer, I've found. I took my puppy to class when she was 8mos old. I still have www.dogplay.com bookmarked from way back and just sent it to an interested person. I made jumps with plastic crates on each side, with a pvc pole or broom handle stuck through the crate sides. Another useful source is www.affordableagility.com. They post training articles/advice at their site, which I used a lot when beginning. When we began competing, we started in Nadac, as you are allowed to train in the ring and are not penalized for "refusals". You'll want to be aware of any Show 'N Goes or Fun Runs in your area, when you pup is older. These let you have the trial experience, without the big cost. Anyway, have fun with your pup---build that toy drive, while doing so!
2006-10-29 15:50:49 · answer #1 · answered by dogfrenzied 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really know but I read the dummies book for Dog agility and it is really good. I wanted to put my dog into agility but my dog has epilepsy. So I can't. Your dog should be great. I think it is about 6 months before you usually competing sometimes a year.
2006-10-27 10:01:46 · answer #2 · answered by Maccabee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you google for "dog agility", you'll find more references than you can shake a stick at, including a lot of book referals. Searching Amazon for "dog agility" also gives you a bunch of links.
I've done one 10-week training class with my Golden. But we got him as a rescue, and we've had a heck of a time socializing, so we won't be taking him to competition.
As for how soon -- it depends on how much you work with your dog. If you work several short sessions every day, you could probably be pretty good after a couple of months.
2006-10-27 10:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by jplrvflyer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you have to wait until she is 18 months old before you can compete, then you need to get a registration from AKC, NADAC, or one of the other agility clubs. Depending if she is purebred, spayed, and height. But for now I would practice and have fun with her, if you do to many jumps to high right now even if she is good at it and can do them you will screw her joints up. Her growth plates aren't fused yet and jumps and turns at high speeds can hurt her right now. So practice with the jumps only two inches from the ground and build a ladder so she realizes she has back feet. I know it sounds funny, but dogs who jump with out learning to control back feet will hit the bar during competition. If you go to http://www.dogplay.com it will tell you how to build a cheap one from PVC and they have other cool, equipment and tips. Good luck, and remember it is all fun if you push to heard your dog may never enjoy it and won't give her 110%.
2006-10-27 10:10:04 · answer #4 · answered by maximus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogwise.com has some awesome books on every subject about dogs!
2006-10-27 10:10:51 · answer #5 · answered by fullofsugaw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋